Hemsworth Miners Welfare

The Welfare Ground… Another one? This one is home to Hemsworth Miners Welfare based in Fitzwilliam, West Yorkshire and play their trade in Step 5 of the Non League Pyramid in the Northern Counties East Premier Division.

I’ve come across this club a few times with the first being a 2-0 win for Shirebrook Town back in 2013, another one being in 2016 and the last one being last season away to Garforth Town on that freezing cold January Friday night. Tonight I see them at their ground for the first time against an Emley AFC side pushing for the summit whereas Hemsworth are pushing for fifth place. Should be a cracker surely right?

I’m now one more ground away from completing my first league! Silsden AFC, you’re next! The short journey now onto Penistone Road, onto Dearne Valley Parkway and just across the West Yorkshire border and into the ground with about 25 minutes to kick off. £5 for this Friday night game! You can’t beat Friday night non league! Oh hello Andy and Jack from Oldham!

A quick burger and chips later in the clubhouse later for £3 and I’m now pitchside and Mr Kenworthy himself is stood right in front of me now!! How many others will I see here tonight? Out come the teams… Friday night fever is upon us!

Kick Off! “YOU BOYS!” The travelling Emley fans are in good voice so far! 9 minutes in and Emley play down the right wing, it’s crossed in, it’s over everyone but Emley will retrieve it on the left, it’s crossed in again, it comes to Walker at the back stick who will volley… Good save! Hemsworth clear.

1 minute later and Emley work it into the box on the left, it’s played in and it will fall kindly to Jagger in the six yard box, he’s got a tight angle but shoots… Keeper saves!

“Are you Topliss at the Turnstiles?” What the hell? I’ve been spotted again! Hopefully not for taking photos this time… It’s Tim or better known as Motohopper on Twitter who has spotted me this time! Famous?

12 minutes now and Hemsworth play down the right, it’s worked in low to Rhys Scott… He’s hit the post! The flag goes up… It wouldn’t have counted anyway but the roar of the crowd here is very strong tonight!

*PING* a message from the Merry Miller: “I’m here!” Right come on then Tim let’s go for a walk. Halfway around and… Miles? Everyone is here! “Do do do! The football hopper’s conga!” The Merry Miller is now here and he’s brought his good friend Shaun as well!

19 minutes now and Hemsworth win a free kick from around 25 yards, Jason Davis steps up, he’s gone for power… Good save but it’s loose in the box on the right… Nash Connolly plays it back across… And it’s turned in!! It’s Ben Gelder in the right place at the right time! Hemsworth lead and the Hemsworth fans are loving it!! “All Hemsworth aren’t we! All Hemsworth aren’t we! All Hemsworth aren’t weeeeee!” 1-0!

Emley looked the better side for so long in that opening period but can they get themselves back together in this game? 35 minutes now and Hemsworth come forward… An Emley player goes to ground… Not sure what happened there but play goes on, Hemsworth drive into the box on the left, it’s played across low and here’s Ben Gelder again… HE’S SCORED AGAIN!! Emley are furious and race towards the Referee… Hemsworth double their advantage! 2-0… Hold on, the Referee has gone over to his assistant…… He’s disallowed it! Oh dear… Hemsworth are now the ones to complain! Kenworthy is furious too! I would be if I was Hemsworth, that should have been given at the time of play!

Play goes on… But at half time the score remains 1-0. “All Hemsworth aren’t we!”

Second half, 49th minute and Emley come forward down the right, it’s played in and it comes to Gooden at the far post and he goes for the far corner… He’s missed! That should be 1-1! Big chance gone begging there.

57th minute and Emley have a corner, in it comes… Keeper comes… He’s not got there and it’s loose… It’s in!! Emley are level! It’s Knowles to poke it home!! 1-1!!

2 minutes later and here come Hemsworth, a great passing move and here’s Nash Connolly in the box on the right and he’s got a sight of goal here… He’s hit the post!! So close!!

68 minutes on the clock and Hemsworth get into the box on the right, it’s driven across low and it comes to Jason Davis in the box on the left, he beats his man and he shoots… AND SCORES!!!! The Hemsworth faithful goes crazy!!! 2-1!!

2 minutes later and here come Emley down the right, it’s played in low but straight at the keeper… Who’s lost it… It’s Walshaw for Emley… But he can’t get a hold of it and it rolls just wide for Hemsworth to clear before it goes out… A huge sigh of relief from the keeper there!

76th minute and Emley have a free kick on the left, it’s crossed in, keeper punches but it will fall to an Emley player who volleys… Good save at the near post!! Corner, in it comes… In towards Heaton… He’s got it!! He heads home and Emley are level again!! 2-2!! What a game this is!!

It’s an end to end game now! Is there a grandstand finish to come? 87th minute and Emley hit it long, it comes to Walshaw and he shoots from 25 yards… Deflection… OH! Just over! My word that was close! Corner comes in from Emley… Cleared by Hemsworth.

Into surely the last minute of stoppage time and Emley play down the right, it’s worked into the box for Kelly to cross… Deflected… Keeper catches, he lumps it upfield… And that is the game! Brilliant game!!

FT: Hemsworth Miners Welfare 2-2 Emley AFC

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 6/10 – Both sets of fans did their teams proud tonight! There is a real community spirit here at Hemsworth that a lot of clubs don’t have unfortunately.
• The Ground: 7/10 – A nice little setup! The dugouts are very good along with the stand next to it. The trees behind the one goal look very nice too.
• Expense: 10/10 – £5 to get in and £3.50 for food = £8.50 for one of the best games I’ve seen so far this season! I’d have been happy paying £58.50 for that!!!
• Overall Experience: 10/10 – Great to meet Tim here tonight for the first time! Great to see Miles, Kenworthy, Shaun and the Merry Miller tonight but what a great game it was as well!!

33/40