Glasshoughton striker Danny Cawley scored a 94th minute penalty in the 1-1 draw at Worsbrough
Danny Cawley showed nerves of steel to smash a 94th minute penalty home to secure a 1-1 draw for Glasshoughton Welfare at promotion hopefuls Hemsworth Miners Welfare.
The striker, signed from Worsbrough Bridge, cancelled out Hemsworth’s captain Jason Yates’ goal which had appeared good enough for a home win on the opening day of the Toolstation NCEL Division One season.
The equaliser ensured a positive start to Mick Norbury’s reign at the recently-relegated side, against a Hemsworth side tipped to do well this season.
Hemsworth started the game on the front foot with Will Kemp forcing debutant Welfare keeper Matt Staples into a great flying save in the first minutes.
A corner was headed over by Nash Connolly before Stables made another fine block.
Welfare came back and a shot from Tom Carr was brilliantly tipped over by Hemsworth keeper Chris Snaith.
At the other end Kemp forced Stables into a fine save and the same player the beat the keeper with a thunderous shot from 35 yards.
The ball bounced down to Ryan Pleasants but Stables again managed to block the shot. Welfare had another great chance after 33 minutes. Several players combined with great passing and the ball was worked to Josh Prudhoe who shot just wide. Just before half-time Dom Blair and Adam Wilson combined well for the visitors but Stables foiled them.
The second half started with welfare well on top and numerous chances went begging. Danny Middleton shot against the legs of Snaith and then Josh Morley overlapped on the left but both Middleton and Danny Cawley were unable to capitalise.
Prudhoe then had a shot tipped around the post and from the corner kick Snaith blocked Prudhoe’s overhead kick. Cawley and substitute Tom Coyles both hit shots wide before Middleton again saw an effort blocked. Cawley then found himself one on one with Snaith but again the keeper saved with his legs.
The sucker punch for Glasshoughton came on 70 minutes when Stables made his only mistake. He missed a free-kick from the left and Jason Yates tapped in.
Hemsworth’s veteran defender Robert Tonks should have made the game safe just after but he scuffed his shot wide.
In the fourth minute of injury time, Cawley went through on goal and was tripped in the penalty area. Cawley slammed away the resulting spot kick to rescue a point for Glasshoughon.
Glasshoughton Welfare manager Mick Norbury:
“A point away from home on the opening day is always good especially at Hemsworth where a few people are tipping them for success.
“They are a good organised side with plenty of pace. My lads knew they would have to work well and they did. With a bit better finishing we could have had all three points today.
“I’ve got a good set of lads in the dressing room who want to do well and if we keep working and believing we are going to be ok.”
Hemsworth Miners Welfare: Snaith, Wilson, Clark, Swift (Gregg), Tonks, Steers, Connolly, Yates, Pleasants (Pugh), Blair, Kemp. Subs unused: Crapper, Lees, Thompson.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Stables, Morley, Forsyth (Coyles), Snaith (Woodger) Williams, Walsh, Fish, Middleton, Cawley, Carr (Bedford), Prudhoe.
Referee: James Fox
Attendance: 86
Thanks to Garry Mollon from Glasshoughton Welfare for this report. You can submit reports and team-lists to Non League Yorkshire by emailing info@nonleagueyorkshire.com.