Nafferton Old boys returned to the top of the Division with another 4-3 win away from home. After a last minute winner away to Woodlands last week Old Boys travelled to Humbleton to play Long Riston.
The visitors were without Warner, Kitching, Foster and Wright who was serving a one match ban but Danny Brown continued his impressive return after a long layoff with injury.
After a tough previous meeting in the cup manager Petch changed the shape of the team to a 3-5-2 in a bid to pack the midfield and dominate the play. Old Boys started the match in a workman-like positive manner with Mikey Parker, Hayhurst, Kennedy, Sam Harrison and Ross Harrison all working hard to play the visitors passing style of football on a heavy surface and in blustery conditions.
The visitors took the lead through Sam Harrison when after a good move down the right involving Danny Brown there was a foul in the area and Old Boys were awarded a penalty kick.
Nafferton soon doubled their lead before Riston grabbed a goal when a shot was only palmed away by Smith and the home sides striker was first to react to his absolute delight.
A change of ends and shape at half time saw Nafferton revert back to their more orthodox 4-4-2 in a bid to get the ball out wide and try and capitalise on the areas of the pitch that had been left unexposed during the first 45 minutes.
The defence of Hood, Collins, Mitchinson, Adam Parker and the very impressive Robinson took time to settle with the new shape and the home team took full advantage of the space by getting back on level terms.
The introduction of fresh legs kept Old Boys battling for every ball and they again took the lead before Long Riston scored a 75th minute equaliser.
Spurred on by skipper Kennedy and the hard working Nicholson upfront cometh the hour cometh the man and it was that man again Sam Harrison who continued a superb start to the season by curling in the winning goal after good work from brother Ross.
At the end of the match manager Petch was pleased with the result, saying: “Three points was the main, the pitch was not good and the conditions were worse but it’s the same for both teams.
“It’s frustrating some times when we turn up and try to play passing football against teams who just boot it root one. It would be easy for us to line up 4-3-3, defend deep and just play long balls up to the front lads.
“But I think we’re better than that but we need to tighten up at the back. At the start of the season we predicted that the team who wins this division will not be the one who scores the most goals but the one who defends the best and concedes the least. Well done boys.”
Thanks to Bob and staff at the Rose and Crown for the after match hospitality.
Man of the match big Nick Robinson