Full Time: Kiveton Miners Welfare 4-3 Dinnington Town

Dinnington Town’s title hopes were dealt a crushing blow as they let a two-goal lead slip in a dramatic 4-3 defeat against Kiveton Miners Welfare at the Blackout13.com Arena.

After Doncaster City’s draw the night before, Dinnington Town knew victory was essential not just to keep pace at the top but to start chipping away at the goal difference that could ultimately decide the title race.

And things couldn’t have started better.

Corey Glaves fired Dinnington into the lead inside two minutes, punishing a sluggish Kiveton Miners Welfare defence with a ruthless finish.

That early blow set the tone for a blistering start, and the visitors doubled their advantage in the 11th minute when Logan Liggins timed his run to perfection, meeting a pinpoint cross to steer home a clinical second.

But despite the scoreline, Kiveton Miners Welfare refused to fold, pouring forward in waves and forcing Dinnington Town onto the back foot.

That pressure finally told in the 35th minute as the hosts clawed their way back into the contest, halving the deficit with a well-taken goal.

Dinnington Town though struck a crucial third just before the break. Deep into stoppage time, Logan Liggins was on hand again heading the ball home from a good cross to restore the two-goal cushion.

At the interval, Dinnington Town could have been forgiven for thinking they had weathered the storm. But what followed was a second half that will haunt them.

Kiveton Miners Welfare came out with renewed intensity, and within the space of a chaotic 240 seconds the game was turned on its head. Two quickfire goals in the 65th and 69th minute saw Dinnington Town’s advantage wiped out, leaving them shell-shocked.

With the game hanging in the balance, Dinnington Town desperately searched for a way to restore their lead, but their attacking urgency left them exposed at the back.

Then, with just a minute of normal time remaining, disaster struck. Kiveton Miners Welfare launched one final attack, and a precise finish saw them complete an incredible turnaround sending the home bench into raptures and leaving Dinnington Town’s outside chance at the title in tatters.

With just two games left, Dinnington Town now face an uphill battle. Three points adrift and with a 15-goal swing needed, their fate is all but out of their hands. Only a miracle will now keep their promotion dream alive.

Dinnington Town are next in action on Saturday 19th April, at home to Staveley Miners Welfare Reserves in the Black Dragon Premier Division North. Kick-off is at 3:00pm.

Photo Credit -Marcus Ackroyd Photography