Glasshoughton midfielder James Beaston was sent off for elbowing Armthorpe’s Chris Davies
Rob Hunter spoke of his admiration for his Glasshoughton Welfare players after the against the odds 1-0 victory over Armthorpe Welfare in a controversial match at Leeds Road, writes James Grayson.
Welfare had to play with ten men for 50 minutes following James Beaston’s bizarre red card for allegedly elbowing Chris Davies during a mad 60 seconds before half-time which also saw Russell Headley yellow carded for diving.
Beaston had earlier provided the pass for captain Darrell Young to score the only goal of the match.
That one goal was enough to earn Hunter, who was also sent from the dugout during the second half, and his team their fourth consecutive Toolstation NCEL Premier Division victory.
Hunter said: “We played the best part of 60 minutes with ten men and defended fantastically well and looked very well organised. That’s three clean sheets out of the last four league games so you can see that the goals that we were leaking in the early part of the season has been stopped.
“The back three and the midfield four defended really well. When we had a man sent off we kept a clean sheet until half-time, the team talk was all about trying to kill the game and giving ourselves bits of time by taking our time at free kicks, corners and throw-ins.
“We didn’t have to change anything other than we had one upfront rather than two.
“As long as you don’t get too deep and play a high line you can condense the game and stop them from playing and the lads did it so well. I am proud of them because they stuck to the game plan and they didn’t panic under pressure, especially in the last ten minutes.
“It was very easy for them to start playing deeper and deeper, but we were brave enough to keep the high line. We got all our tackles in and won the second balls and we deserved to win.”
Leading by example: Glasshoughton captain Darrell Young scored the winner against Armthorpe
The game in it’s entirely was slow and neither side created many chances. Glasshoughton defender Alex Low headed over on 15 minutes, minutes before the explosion of yellow cards started.
Prior to the match, Glasshoughton had picked up 21 cautions in 19 league fixtures and Hunter’s men finished the night with four in the book and one sent off. Liam Tuck was the first to have his name taken, closely followed by Reece Chappell.
Tensions between the two sides were starting to take control and in the mist of the argy-bargee, Glasshoughton scored. Beaston was involved and he crossed to give Young an easy tap-in from just in front of goal.
Young almost turned provider within a few minutes with his killer pass which sent Headley scuttling away. The skilful midfielder dropped his shoulder and went past goalkeeper William Biggs. Headley looked set to tap the ball into the empty net until he appeared to be brought down by Biggs. Referee Ben Ballantyne was quick on the scene and instead of giving the penalty and sending Biggs off, he showed a yellow card for simulation.
The ball was then cleared from the free kick and it went for a throw-in which saw Headley chase the referee for 30 yards to confront him over the decision. As play stopped confusion followed as the referee was then digging in his pockets to show Beaston the red card for his elbow on Davies, much to the disgust of the Glasshoughton players.
That decision gave Glasshoughton a tough ask, but Armthorpe never properly threatened despite their numerical advantage. Jay Rollins, the hat-trick hero in the FA Vase in September at Glasshoughton, was ineffective and as a team Armthorpe did not show the urgency to find an equaliser.
Glasshoughton sat back and soaked up the little pressure that the visitors applied during a second half that saw the yellow card count increase. Young was shown his ninth caution of the season, whilst John Tunney, Steve Gardner and Anthony Ryan saw yellow for Armthorpe.
Glasshoughton chief Hunter was given his marching orders midway through the second half for a light-hearted quip to the assistant referee Paul Ballantyne. He spent the rest of the game giving instructions on the far side and via mobile phone to his assistant Mark Smitheringale.
The test of character for Glasshoughton was during the final few minutes as a poor Armthorpe team mounted a last ditch attempt at stealing a point. Paul Hagreen was alert enough to make his only and most important save of the match by turning Jonathan Mirfin’s thunderous strike away from danger.
Glasshoughton were worthy winners in a game lacking the quality, but full of endeavour and effort.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Hagreen, Donnelly, Chappell (Corley 69), Tuck, Low, Beaston, Hirst, Young (captain) (Serrao 71), Harris, Headley, Edwards (McDaid 92).
Armthorpe Welfare: Biggs, Tunney, Garner, Davies (Atkinson 85), Smith (captain), Gibbons, Taylor, Mirfin, Rollins, Benson (Ryan 71), Hattersley (Walker 51). Subs unused: Baskerville, Kilmartin.
Referee: B Ballantyne (North Yorkshire)
Attendance: 70
Man of the match: Russell Headley (Glasshoughton Welfare)