REPORT: UNITED 3-1 WORKSOP TOWN

BY CALLUM WRIGHT

The Ambers completed a thrilling second half comeback in the A60 derby as they took down Worksop Town 3-1 at Greenwich Avenue.

Hamza Bencherif opened the score early for the visitors, but a double from skipper Matt Thornhill and a well taken goal from Remaye Campbell was enough to send all the points to the home side.

The Tigers started on the ascendancy, using their height and physicality to give the Basford backline issues as the home side struggled to keep possession. Ultimately they made the strong start count as Aleks Starcenko played a dangerous ball into the box which Liam Hughes got to first, leaving Bencherif with an almost free header to give Worksop an early lead in the the 7th minute.

Both George Taft and Starcenko came close to doubling the lead with shots on goal but neither troubled Preston who was forced to remain on constant alert with Worksop controlling the flow of the game. Luke Hall produced an almost spectacular run down the right but Kane Richards prevented him from making a crucial pass.

Against the run of play Henri Wilder whipped a ball into the path of Remaye Campbell, who’s deflected header rattled the crossbar to give Basford their best chance of the half. The game became scrappy as United tried to carve anything out of the Tigers but couldn’t muster another good chance.

As the half drew to a close the Ambers grew more into the game, but Worksop still carried most of the threat, with Luke Hall’s near post shot going inches wide and Starcenko’s long range effort being tipped over the bar by Preston. Ultimately the early header remained the only goal despite the barrage of chances that came the visitors’ way.

With two changes at the break the Ambers attempted to bolster another comeback but Worksop’s threat on the counter remained ever present. More opportunities came Basford’s way however as they held a much larger share of the ball.

United’s strong start to the second half paid off with a brilliant one two between Kane Richards and Thornhill, as the former flicked a ball into the skipper’s path, who volleyed beautifully past Aaron Chapman in the 57th minute to level the score.

The pair continued to terrorise the Worksop defence, and another beautiful chain of passes led to Richards being tripped in the box and the referee pointing to the spot. The skipper stepped up on the spot and slotted in his second, giving the Ambers a once unlikely lead in the 69th minute.

Basford continued to roar at the Tigers, and Jack Waldron launched a ball from deep inside his own half towards the unmarked Campbell with the injured Josh Wilde playing him onside, and an incredible lob over the looming Chapman got a quick third for the Ambers in the 75th minute.

Tensions continued to flare as bookings flew out and the game took another scrappy turn. Wilde was forced off for good for Worksop, leaving them down to 10 men in the dying minutes having used all substitutions. The Tigers didn’t admit defeat however and nearly pulled one back through Starcenko but Preston produced a brilliant diving save.

Neither side could find another goal in the end and a vital three points went into the account of the Ambers.

STARTING XI: Kieran Preston, Jack Waldron, Henri Wilder, Toby Ritzema (Jack Thomas, 46’), Victor Nierennold, Kieran Fenton, Kane Richards, Matt Thornhill, Remaye Campbell, Jordan Hallam (Rev James, 62’), Josh Barnes (Prince Mancinelli, 46’)

SUBS (not used): Finn Ryder, Tyler Dacres

ATT: 588