Danny Middleton played a key role in Glasshoughton’s 3-1 win over Athersley
Glasshoughton Welfare improved further to earn a 3-1 win over Athersley Recreation at Leeds Road.
The visitors fielded six first team regulars along with some of their reserve team players.
First half goals from Danny Cawley and Iain Blackburn were cancelled out by a goal from Kay Hancock before a volley from trialist Scott Weston secured the victory.
Welfare had ex Halifax Town scholar Ellis Halpine in goal and just after he had a clearance charged down welfare went to the other end and in the 8th minute Athersley goal keeper Aarron Tyas made a hash of a clearance.
The keeper tried to recover but Cawley went round him and poked the ball home.
Athersley came back and and Scott Allcock headed just over before Hancock forced a great tip over from Halpine.
Del Pollock had a shot charged down for welfare before the lead was increased on 27 minutes with a great individual goal from Blackburn. Picking the ball up 30 yards out he jinxed his was past four Athersley players before shooting under Tyas.
Play was then end to end. A free kick into the Welfare area caused problems for the defence and the ball was poked wide and Allcock should have done better with a free header which he put wide.
Great through balls then by Welfare’s Danny Middleton and Josh Morley saw Tyas just beat Blackburn and Cawley respectively to the ball.
Just after the re-start Middleton had a free kick blocked and the rebound fell to Morley whose fierce shot was well saved by Tyas.
Athersley went straight to the other end and and Hancock lobbed Halpine (51) to reduce the arrears.
Matt Stables then replaced Halpine in the welfare goal and after flapping at a free kick he pulled off a good save low to his right to prevent the visitors equalising.
Seven minutes later welfare went 3-1 up. Great work on the right by Cawley saw him fire a cross into the area and substitute Scott Weston, with his first touch of the game, volleyed home from 6 yards.
Danny Snaith then shot wide for the home team before Hancock for the visitors broke through but with only Stables to beat he scooped his shot wide.
Welfare had a few chances in the closing minutes with Regan Fish crossing for Josh Barratt to head wide. Joe Bedford also shot wide before Cawley controlled the ball well but shot into the hands of Tyas.
This was a good performance from welfare with big defender Adam Walsh, returning from injury, looking very impressive.
Mick Norbury’s side will be further tested next Tuesday in their final pre-season game when they entertain Evo-Stik Premier side Frickley Athletic (7.45pm).
Glasshoughton Welfare squad: (all used). Halpine, Stables, Woodger, Kirk, Walsh, Morley, Fish, Middleton, Snaith, Blackburn, Cawley, Pollock, Bedford, Barratt, Weston.
Referee: Andy Smith.
Attendance: 45
Thanks to Garry Mollon from Glasshoughton for this report. You can submit your club’s reports and team-lists to info@nonleagueyorkshire.com