Kieron Scargill made the difference for Athersley Recreation as a second half substitute in their win at Glasshoughton
Athersley Recreation boss Pete Goodlad hailed the impact of substitute Kieron Scargill as his side secured a late 2-0 victory in difficult conditions at Glasshoughton Welfare, writes James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson).
Scargill was on the bench after being dropped for his red card in Wednesday’s 6-4 defeat to Maltby Main.
He was introduced to the proceeding on the hour mark and was instrumental as former Glasshoughton striker Lee Bennett and Joe Thornton scored in the final ten minutes of the Toolstation NCEL Premier Division clash – which was watched by former Huddersfield Town boss Mick Wadsworth.
Goodlad was delighted with Scargill, but also admitted that Athersley needed a victory after two consecutive defeats.
“Once we made the substitution in Kieron Scargill, that made all the difference and changed the game,” Goodlad told Sports Performer.
“He’s a quality player. He got sent off on Wednesday for back-chatting so he let us down which meant we benched him today.
“He was the one who instigated everything from midfield – he made runs and he made things happen. He put that spark back into us because we had seemed to have gone a bit flat.
“I think both teams were settling for a 0-0 draw at times. But, once as we got the first, their heads went and it was only a matter of time before we got the second.
“The quality of the pitch spoiled the game and the ball bobbled around so it wasn’t a surface you could play football on. It was more about hard-work and getting the ball upfield quickly and hoping the forward would create things.
“We missed a few chances early-on and I think throughout the game we were on top. But, it was one of those where I thought we were going to miss our chances and get punished and probably lose 1-0 as that is what has been happening recently.
“It is a good three points and it gets us back on track.”
Athersley leading scorer Joe Thornton scored their second goal in the win at Glasshoughton
Athersley were the better side during a poor first half. Glasshoughton goalkeeper Paul Hagreen had to be at his best as Thornton and Bennett were running rings round the Welfare defence. The pair were constantly breaking clear of the defence and only a number of important blocks from Hagreen prevented Athersley from taking the lead.
Glasshoughton centre-half Alex Low even had to clear one Bennett chance off-the-line. Adam White also fired a shot over the crossbar.
Glasshoughton, missing seven players due to injury and suspension, struggled to create chances in the opening 45 minutes, but Rob Hunter’s side came to life in the second half.
Welfare’s Venezuelan dynamo Hilliard Serrao was at the centre of most of their action. Serrao was a threat for Athersley with his speed and desire to take defenders on.
New signing Matt Bugg came the closest to scoring for Glasshoughton. Bugg signed from Liversedge this week and he latched onto Andy Sunley’s cross, but his weak effort was parried by Athersley goalkeeper Josh Herring.
Kieron Corley also had a dangerous long range attempt blocked by the Athersley defence.
That was Glasshoughton’s spell of pressure. With ten minutes to go the game looked destined to finish in a goal-less draw.
Scargill had forced a save from Hagreen before he helped break the deadlock. He made a great run down the right-wing and upon reaching the by-line, the midfielder neatly crossed for Bennett. The striker had the easy task and putting the ball in the net from inside the six-yard.
Paul Hagreen was in top form for Glasshoughton
Glasshoughton pushed bodies forward, but the closest the Leeds Road outfit were to scoring was through Liam Tuck’s free kick which Herring punched to safety.
With attack on Glasshoughton’s minds, gaps were appearing and Thornton took full advantage in the dying minutes. Thornton broke away from the Welfare defence and showed great composure by rounding Hagreen and planting the ball home.
Athersley may have won, but Glasshoughton chief Hunter, who was celebrating his 50th game in charge of the club, said: “It could have gone either way.
“It wasn’t the best game of football. The conditions were terrible. It rained for three hours before kick-off and within 20 minutes it was a quagmire out there. Nice football wasn’t an option.
“The pitch was sticky and didn’t take a bounce and there were an awful lot of mistakes made by both teams. The ball was in the air a lot and I think Paul Hagreen made a couple of great saves in the first half which I thought they edged.
“There was nothing in the game and I said to the lads at half-time that it was one of them games where you just nick something and then hold on by battling it out.
“Unfortunately it was them who nicked something, a really scrappy goal. We then had to go gung-ho in the last five minutes and they scored again.
“It is disappointing not get to something because it is another game where we should have got something and haven’t. In the last seven games we are probably eight or nine points lighter than we should have achieved.
“I’ve targeted being in the top ten and with those points we would be in the top ten.”
Glasshoughton Welfare: Hagreen, Hirst, Sunley, Tuck, Low (captain), Donnelly, Serrao, Corley, Harris, Bugg, Curtis (Edwards 64). Subs unused: Swales, Wilders, Chappell.
Athersley Recreation: Herring, Chadburn, Cook (Hydes 64), Blackburn (Alcock 76), Briscoe (Scargill 64), R White (captain), Welford, A White, Thornton, Bennett, Fletcher. Subs unused: Needham, Thompson.
Referee: David Benton (Sheffield)
Attendance: TBC
Man of the match: Paul Hagreen (Glasshoughton Welfare)