NAT KING GOAL

Dewsbury Rangers 3 Shelf Panthers 6


Nathan St George got on the score sheet for the first time since switching from goalkeeper to midfielder as the Panthers stormed to their first win of the season.

After last week’s mauling against Batley, Shelf fans feared the worst when Dewsbury’s pre-match warm-up appeared to be led by a giant dog - but in the event it was the terrier-like tenacity of central defender Scott Williams that set up the first goal after six minutes. He pounced on a loose ball and half-volleyed it into the opposition penalty area, where Ryan steered it on for Nat to tuck it into the net.

Dewsbury were level eight minutes later when Scott mistimed a tackle just inside the area – his only blemish on an excellent performance – and the resultant penalty was blasted to Cameron’s right.

The Panthers got their noses in front again after 26 minutes when Ryan lifted the ball high into the net from a tight angle near the right touchline. But their lead lasted for less than a minute as Dewsbury raced to the other end and unleashed an unstoppable shot.

The second half brought a Man of the Match performance from striker Tobias Mears, who scored twice and was only denied several more by some brave goalkeeping. He made it 3-2 after 47 minutes with a neat left-foot finish following a defence-splitting through-ball from Scott. Four minutes later Tobias latched onto a long ball from Robert and coolly rounded the keeper before rolling the ball into the empty net.

Four minutes from the end, the roles were reversed – Tobias surging down the left and crossing for Robert to grab the fifth.

Dewsbury reduced the deficit on 60 minutes with a powerful and accurate free kick from the edge of the penalty area – but Robert had the last word with only seconds of injury time remaining when he hammered the game’s most spectacular goal from far out on the right.

So the Panthers roared back after last week’s setback – and this nine-goal thriller even managed to stop the 3am Girls falling asleep on the touchline.