Noel Nfonkev shone on the East Coast with a goal and two assists at The Welton Group Stadium as Ammers beat Louth Town 3-1 in the NCEL Division One on Saturday afternoon.
Nfonkev and Harry Abson combined for both of Ammers’ first two goals, Abson separating the sides one-on-one before Nfonkev placed in from a tighter angle shortly after the restart.
Nfonkev again tee’d up Taylor Ragan for a simple finish for Ammers’ third before Louth replied from the spot with twenty minutes remaining.
Ten Ammers debuts were made on opening day, the result going to plan.
Amari Smith’s unnatural wide-left starting position allowed him to cut inside onto his favoured right, the shot dragged across the baked turf.
The wide areas of Ammers led to much anticipation following pre-season and both Taylor Ragan & Kaydon Fishley were one-minded in where to offload possession. Noel Nfonkev initially got the advantage of Harris Dunn down the outside but the host left full-back recovered to regain possession with an outstuck leg inside the box.
Nfonkev had much more success narrower to find Harry Abson who opened the scoring. The winger’s through pass complimented by Abson’s run beat the offside flag this turn, Abson left to just place across goal.
Louth upped the tempo in the immediate few minutes following the goal, Daniel Trott eyeing up an opportunity from range. Louth’s earlier attempted passes at putting him through on goal were caught by the flag.
The hosts’ target was fortunate to receive the ball off a deflection inside the box following a cross from the left, his first-time effort not placed well enough to fly inside the left-hand post when hit back in the direction it came.
Louth were struggling to find the gaps despite their possession whilst Ammers’ strict shape was buoyed by several headed clearances from Craig Maynard whenever he had chance.
Instead, Ammers stole possession during Louth’s transition down the left and quickly moving the ball forward into Nfonkev, he faced a new opponent, centre-half Alex Aldrich. Louth’s captain delayed the winger long enough for Dunn to return to his position, covering behind Aldrich. With no route through, the pass was made backward, 20-yards out to Ragan who’s left-footed shot went well over.
The position which had saw Smith be the most threatening in the opening minutes, Hammad Aliyu looked to lead another Ammers counter-attack having intercepted possession, attacking two against three. He ignored Abson’s run beyond, instead choosing Nfonkev but forcing him wider with a strong pass, unable to alter the score further in Ammers’ favour before the break.
Louth’s initial threat after the restart was countered by Ammers’ second, Abson & Nfonkev combining again with reversed roles ten minutes into the second-half.
Louth’s one lapse of pressure allowed Richy Bamba too much time on the ball which he used to pass through midfield, straight into Abson. The forward shielded off Aldrich to lay the ball to his left and into Nfonkev’s path, nudging the ball into the right channel of the box before placing under the ‘keeper.
Taylor Ragan too had Nfonkev to thank for getting Ammers’ third. The winger wasn’t troubled receiving the ball with his back to goal, a back-heel turn round his marker earned him space to run at in front of Louth’s defence. He’s again in range with his pass forward ahead of Ragan’s run to shoot under the ‘keeper who didn’t get enough of his body on the ball when blocking the shot, Ragan chasing it in just to make sure.
Paul Diamond did his duty in goal when a cross from the right dropped at the far post, headed down but met by the now grounded Diamond with a strong hand, diverting danger.
Louth were handed chance for redemption from the spot after a handball in the box, Alfie Usher with a composed finish.
Louth were successful in targeting space behind Ammers right full-back Bruce Fernando, only briefly before the defender’s outstretched leg deflected the ball over Paul Diamond’s goal. The resulting corner was met with a header in the middle of the box but found the same end.
Added-time provided time for Ammers substitute Birama Diallo to hit a volley against the post, Kian Stockwell’s dream debut almost a reality by receiving the rebound, side-footing his shot clear of goal.
The curtains closed on the opening day show with Ammers collecting three points on their travels to the East Coast.
Athersley Recreation visit Bracken Edge on Tuesday evening for Ammers’ return home in the league.