Dinnington Town dig deep to secure a dramatic victory over SJR Worksop.
On a gusty afternoon at the Blackout13.com Arena, Dinnington Town showcased their resilience in an eventful 3-2 triumph over SJR Worksop.
While far from their most polished performance, the league leaders proved once again that they possess the grit and determination to grind out results, even in the face of adversity.
The blustery conditions played havoc from the first whistle, with the swirling wind dictating much of the play. Long passes were held up mid-flight, crosses veered off course, and shots carried unpredictably, making it a tough afternoon for both sides.
Still, Dinnington Town started brightly and made an early breakthrough in the 7th minute. Corey Glaves latched onto a well-timed pass and kept his composure to slot home, sending the home crowd into an early celebration.
Despite the challenging conditions, both teams pressed and displayed glimpses of quality, but the swirling wind stifled attacking fluency.
At half time, the score remained 1-0 to Dinnington Town, with the visitors still very much in the contest.
The second half began with the hosts looking to extend their advantage, but it was SJR Worksop who flipped the script.
On 55 minutes, a contentious free kick was awarded to the visitors in a dangerous position.
Joe Bean stepped up and delivered a stunning strike from 25 yards. Steven Booth in the Dinnington Town goal got a hand to it, tipping it onto the post, but the ball ricocheted into the net.
Just 15 minutes later, history repeated itself. Another soft free kick was awarded, much to the frustration of the home faithful.
Once again, Bean stepped up and produced a carbon copy of his earlier effort, this time leaving Booth with no chance as the ball rifled into the top corner.
Suddenly, Dinnington Town found themselves 2-1 down with just 20 minutes to play.
The hosts pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but the wind continued to wreak havoc on their crosses and long-range efforts.
However, the introduction of substitute Frankie Short added a new dimension to their attack, and his impact was almost immediate. In the 75th minute Short’s low ball across the box caused chaos in the SJR defence and took a wicked deflection before nestling into the net.
It wasn’t the prettiest goal, but it was enough to spark relief and renewed energy among the Dinnington Town faithful.
With the score level at 2-2, Dinnington Town refused to settle for a draw.
Just four minutes later, the ever-reliable Jay Atkin rose highest at the far post to meet a perfectly floated cross. His header sailed past the goalkeeper and into the back of the net, sparking jubilant scenes in the stands.
As the final whistle blew, Dinnington Town celebrated an unlikely after 70 minutes, but hard-fought, 3-2 victory.
On a day when the wind threatened to spoil the occasion, the league leaders demonstrated their character and refusal to give in. The result ensures Dinnington Town maintain their grip on top spot in the Black Dragon Premier Division North
Dinnington Town are next in action on Saturday 4th January, away to Hatfield Town in the Black Dragon Premier Division North. Kick-off is at 2:00pm.