Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 3-0 Grimsby Borough
Glasshoughton won, even though Andy Seed was sent off after less than 60 seconds
Glasshoughton, even though Andy Seed was sent off in the first minute, remarkably saw off revitalised Grimsby Borough to record back-to-back league wins.
This was a good solid performance from the Welfare side and joint managers Simon Houghton and Craig Wilkinson will be pleased with the new team spirit shown before, within, and after the games. Also pleasing for the managers was the performance of goalkeeper Jordan Watson who saved a penalty and made a number of good saves.
With the game less than a minute old Welfare were shocked when Seed was dismissed for a tackle on Boro’s Matthew Kennedy despite the welfare player appearing to connect with the ball before Kennedy. This seemed a harsh decision by referee Stuart Royston with even the Grimsby bench sportingly commenting that the tackle only warranted at least a caution.
Welfare looked disjointed after this although a great cross from Del Pollock was just about cut out with Luke Durham and new striker Jack Owen waiting to pounce.
Things looked bad for Welfare on thirty minutes when Grimsby were awarded a controversial penalty but the spot kick by Danny Stevens was kept out by the legs of Watson. Just after this Watson made a great block with his feet to stop his side falling behind.
Minutes after this Jamie Coulson hooked the ball just wide for the visitors but at the other end Pollock shot just wide.
Two minutes before halftime Pollock opened the scoring for welfare when he ran onto a long through ball from Mike Brearley and he slotted past Scott Drury.
At the break Morley replaced Durham and Welfare started the second half with Owen, who was a constant threat to the visitors with his speed, bringing a save from Drury.
Tom Carr replaced Pollock on 54 minutes and he made an immediate impact. Great work from Carr and Ryan Poskitt on 74 minutes saw a cross to the far post headed home by debutant Owen much to the delight of the home fans.
As the game neared its end Morley shot just wide and then from twenty yards his volley was brilliantly pushed over the bar by Drury.
Morley was not to be denied however.On 88 minutes good work on the right between Carr and Owen saw the former pass across the penalty area and Morley hit the ball past Drury from fifteen yards.
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Craig Wilkinson said: “This was a fantastic effort from our boys today. To play 89 minutes with ten men and win 3-0 is outstanding.
“The squad is coming together now and everyone is enjoying it and this showed today with the team spirit amongst all of the players.”
Glasshoughton Welfare: Watson, Rollinson, Brearley, Hunter, Williams, Walsh, Poskitt (Popplewell), Seed, Owen, Pollock (Carr), Durham (Morley). Subs unused: Romainiw, Myers.
Grimsby Borough: Drury, Hamilton, Bensley (Fanworth), Stevens, Martin, Barratt, Hyland, Petronzio (Unsworth), Coulson, Debnam, Kennedy (Wood)
Referee: Stuart Royston
Attendance: 70
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.