Shirebrook rocked by smash and grab

Shirebrook went into this meeting of third v fifth looking to build on Tuesday night’s win over Dronfield, and manager Jullian Watts made two changes from that team with Wankiewicz coming in at centre back and Dawson handed a first start at left back.

Hemsworth had the better of the opening 20 minutes but none of their attempts troubled McCormack in the Shirebrook net. Eventually Shirebrook grew into the game and the first attempt came midway through the first half through Watson, but he blazed the shot over the bar.

The next attempt came in the last few minutes of the half when Watson had a shot that somehow the keeper got a hand to it and flicked it over the bar.

The second half was mostly dominated by Shirebrook with the visitors having three golden opportunities.

The first fell to Watson, whose shot was saved again somehow by the Hemsworth keeper. The next fell to Plant’s header which anywhere else on target would have been a goal, but it was right at the keeper.

The final chance fell to Getliff, whose looping header from the far side looked like it was going to drop in the far top corner, but just fell the other side of the goal.

Then came the sucker punch on 83 minutes when a Hemsworth corner was crossed in and it was Nicholas Guest who got the final touch to give the home side all three points.

This result drops Shirebrook to ninth in the league, but they will be looking to bounce back next Saturday when Knaresborough Town visit Langwith Road (3pm).