Glasshoughton forward Grieg McGrory congratulates Russ Headley for his goal
Ten man Glasshoughton Welfare finally got the monkey off their back by comfortably beating Toolstation NCEL Premier Division whipping boys Lincoln Moorlands Railway 3-0 at Leeds Road, writes James Grayson.
Having been beaten 10-0 at Bridlington Town last week and then 8-1 in midweek at Athersley Recreation, Lincoln visited a Glasshoughton team who were yet to record a point at home in five attempts.
Glasshoughton had to wait until the 51st minute to break the deadlock, but Russ Headley’s strike set-in-motion three goals in seven minutes when Greig McGrory and Dalton Harris went onto score.
Lee Tuck would later become the first Glasshoughton player to be sent off this season, but it didn’t overshadow a much-deserved win that becomes a welcome relief for manager Rob Hunter.
Glasshoughton boss Rob Hunter berates assistant referee Steven Taylor during a frustrating first half
He told Sports Performer: “It is great for the club to get a home win in the league, eventually. We now have 23 points and of which 20 of them are from away games which is a bit ridiculous.
“Eventually we have got a home win and it is our second win on the bounce and a second clean sheet on the bounce which is great for our goalkeeper Paul Hagreen because he’s been outstanding all year.
“It is great for the likes of Matt Donnelly and Reece Chappell who have been very good today.
“It was 0-0 at half-time and it was a horrible scrappy game. We probably had three good opportunities where we should have scored. But we got a bit impatient and started to lump balls into the box instead of keeping possession.
“When we got into the changing rooms at half-time you could see that people were wound-up and frustrated. So the half-time team talk was about being calm and patient and keep doing the right things like spread the play and keep possession because the goals will come which they did.
“Lincoln have conceded a lot of goals recently and a lot of people might have thought they would concede six or seven against us. That was never going to be the case with us because we were far too nervous about getting the three points and getting ourselves up-and-running at home.”
Club captain Darrell Young was yellow carded for the eighth time this season
Hunter had to make two changes from the starting X1 that won 1-0 at Basford United last week. In total he had seven players missing – Alex Low, Kieran Corley and John Hirst were away while the injury list contained Dave Ward (knee), Steve Edwards (ankle) and Joel Freestone (broken bone in football).
Rob Pell had been due to make his first appearance since the 0-0 draw at Parkgate in early September. However, the striker had to pull out because of food poisoning.
Only Low and Corley played at Basford from the start and their places were taken Tim Curtis and McGrory. Club captain Darrell Young, who went onto receive his eighth caution of the season against Lincoln, featured at centre-half.
Young and his defensive partners endured a nervy start to the match with Lincoln almost scoring twice through Pascal Preira and then Ryan Pell.
Tim Curtis holds off Lincoln’s Ryan Pell
Glasshoughton became increasingly frustrated as the half wore on and Tuck was cautioned for dissent by referee Chris Ward towards the close of the opening half. The referee even had to have words with Welfare chief Hunter.
But, as the second half, Glasshoughton turned their attentions away from the referee and concrentrated on scoring the first goal. Venuazalan forward Hilliaro Serrao went close with a diving header before McGrory fired wide after Headley’s free kick was blocked.
The first goal did come eventually in fortuitous circumstances. James Beaston’s cross was not dealt with by defender Jordan Lucas and flapping goalkeeper Richard Chester. Headley managed to head the ball against the bar before safely tucking the rebound into the net.
Liam Tuck, who was later sent off, makes a pass
Sighs of relief could be heard around Leeds Road and within three minutes, Lincoln failed to deal with another cross from the right wing and McGrory superbly volleyed the ball home.
Lincoln did have a brief attack when Hagreen smartly blocked Jean Desrossiers’ shot. From the save, Glasshoughton broke away and Harris cruelly teased the Lincoln defence before going past goalkeeper Chester to allow himself the opportunity of tapping the ball into the empty net.
Glasshoughton would have scored many more times if Tuck had not been sent off. Glasshoughton’s vice-captain reacted to a bad challenge by Patrick Siba which caused a minor kerfuffle. Siba was cautioned, but Tuck received his second yellow card for aggressive behaviour as he grabbed Siba’s shirt.
The red card killed the game and ended the contest which could have easily seen more Glasshoughton goals.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Hagreen, Donnelly, Chappell, Tuck, Young (captain), Beaston, McGrory (Sunley 75), Curtis (McDaid 59), Harris, Serrao, Headley. Sub unused: Edwards.
Lincoln Moorlands Railway: Chester, Desrossiers, Lucas, Hiatt (Addinall 70), Hodds (captain), Heap (Bee 75), Pell, Siba (Parker 79), Nsumbu, Preira.
Referee: Chris Ward (South Yorkshire)
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Russ Headley (Glasshoughton)
Match Photos are HERE