NCEL: Knaresborough Town put Manse Lane jinx to bed

Colin Heath handed Knaresborough the perfect start in the third minute before Ben Parkes doubled their lead with 11 minutes remaining.

Brian Davey’s men held firm despite a last minute goal from Doug Stevenson to move up to 12th in Division One.

The win was the first time Davey’s side have managed to secure all three points at home since their opening day victory over Hallam and the first time they have managed to score more than one goal there since their 2-2 draw with Dronfield Town on August 23.

That draw was the final time Davey’s men were able to avoid defeat at Manse Lane in a dismal run which included seven league defeats, two cup exits, five goals scored and 18 goals conceded.

Davey blamed a glut on injuries for his side’s indifferent form this season but said that their second half performance over Eccleshill United was the ‘best we have played this season.

He said: “We did struggle to get the ball off them at points in the first half but in the second half we had a really good go at them and we looked the better side.

“There were some great moves between the two forwards and now Colin’s getting fit and he’s scored in back to back games for us so it’s coming together. We knew it would happen.

“We were struggling before because we did not have a side to put out. I’m starting to play players who are working hard, one thing leads to another and everybody wants to play.

“To win three games out of four is up there with the best teams but we knew that would happen. We’ve called up a few new additions which we thought might be next year but they have come through very early.”

Davey has bolstered his squad this week with the purchase of defender Will Pepper from Tadcaster Albion and will be hoping to make his debut against Hall Road Rangers on Saturday.

Rangers are five points behind Davey’s side and the Knaresborough manager said he is ‘confident’ his side can continue their good form.

He said: “It’s another place where we have gone in the past and done very well there and, as you know, with away games we never have any fear.

“We certainly want to finish in the top half by the end of the season. Teams have only beat us by the odd goal so it would be good to turn it round on some of them.

“There is no reason we can’t and we like to thing we won’t finish lower than 10th at worst.”