Liversedge on verge of completing great escape

Liversedge are on the verge of completing a Houdini act of avoiding relegation from the Northern Counties East League Premier Division.
Benny Igiehon scored twice as Liversedge defeated Nostell Miners Welfare 3-1 last Saturday and was on target again in Tuesdays win over Armthorpe taking his tally to eight .Benny Igiehon scored twice as Liversedge defeated Nostell Miners Welfare 3-1 last Saturday and was on target again in Tuesdays win over Armthorpe taking his tally to eight .
Benny Igiehon scored twice as Liversedge defeated Nostell Miners Welfare 3-1 last Saturday and was on target again in Tuesdays win over Armthorpe taking his tally to eight .

Four points from their final three games would guarantee Liversedge stay up, although it seems likely that victory over Clipstone tonight (Thursday) could be enough.

Having beaten Nostell MW 3-1 last Saturday, Sedge knew their fate lie in their own hands going into Tuesday’s crunch clash at against Armthorpe at Clayborn.

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Sedge showed no nerves as Ray Fogarty put them 1-0 up after 20 minutes and added a second just before half-time.

Fogarty completed his hat-trick with a 54th minute goal and Benny Igiehon continued his excellent form by adding his eighth goal since joining from Sheffield.

Liversedge also made a blistering start to last Saturday’s game against Nostell and were 3-0 up inside the opening 25 minutes.

Sedge made the perfect start when Fogarty’s long range shot flew into the net after four minutes and it was 2-0 shortly after when Igiehon headed home to give his side breathing space.

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Igiehon bagged his second after 23 minutes and Liversedge pressed in search of further goals, with Neil Bennett denying Igiehon a hat-trick.

Nostell’s Blaine Kellett had a shot cleared off the line but Liversedge led 3-0 at half-time.

It was stalemate for much of the second half but Brian Ndaka headed home a 68th minute goal for the visitors.

It proved only consolation for Welfare as Liversedge closed the game out to register three valuable points in their quest to avoid relegation.

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Liversedge were cast adrift at the foot of the Premier Division at the start of March and although they had a stack of games in hand on their rivals, having had monumental problems with their pitch, few outside Clayborn gave them hope of avoiding the drop.

Indeed manager Rimmington admitted it would be the greatest of great escapes if his side were to get out of trouble.

Tuesday’s impressive win over Armthorpe means Liversedge have taken 23 points from their last 14 games to put them within touching distance of survival.

Tonight’s game against Clipstone will be Liversedge’s eighth in the last 26 days.

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Second-bottom Pontefract Collieries were due play second placed Handsworth Parramore last night (Wednesday) when the visitors needed to win to keep alive their fading title hopes.

However, the match was postponed when vandalism to Pontefract’s ground left them without power.

It means Liversedge are three points ahead of second-bottom Pontefract with both games having two games remaining.

Liversedge follow up tonight’s game with Clipstone with their final home match of the season on Saturday when Cleethorpes Town are the visitors, while they visit Retford United in their last game next Tuesday.

Armthorpe are level on 39 points with Sedge but have played a game more and travel to Tadcaster tonight, with the home side needing victory to secure the Premier Division title.

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