Toolstation NCEL Division One
Winterton Rangers 1-2 Glasshoughton Welfare
Glasshoughton Welfare captain Jimmy Williams played in goal during the 2-1 win at Winterton
Defender Jimmy Williams had to play in goal as Glasshoughton Welfare ended a mixed season with a good win in their final fixture at Winterton Rangers.
Welfare joint manager Craig Wilkinson was under pressure with his selection as goalkeeper Josh Archer was unfit so captain Williams was forced to don the gloves for the game. As it happened Williams played a major part in the win with his constant talking to his side.
In what proved to be an entertaining game Welfare went behind after three minutes when Robbie Start beat Williams with a shot from just inside the eighteen yard area.
Welfare hit back with Ryan Poskitt heading a Josh Morley corner just over the bar and Lewis Akeister also hit a shot just over.
Welfare had a lucky escape on twenty minutes when the ball was lost on the halfway line and Mike Brearley racing back fouled a home player resulting in a penalty kick. Luckily for Welfare Josh Batty hit his spot kick wide.
Welfare came back and big defender Leon Cusworth saw a header cleared away before Morley hit a shot just wide. Chris Fawcett also hit a decent effort wide of the target.
The Welfare defence was under pressure at times and substitute Rhys Vazquez crossed a ball that was scrambled away. Batty then had a goal disallowed for offside and then Williams pulled off a fine save to deny the same player.
On the stroke of half-time welfare equalised when Fawcett slotted a ball in from the right and Poskitt got a foot on it to divert into the net.
Welfare started the second half well and young goalkeeper Lewis Tomlinson pulled off a good save from Lucas Middleton.
Welfare were now going for a second goal and were attacking at will. A great run saw Morley put a pass across the face of the home area but no Welfare player was on hand to capitalise. Tom Coyles then hit a great effort just wide, but Welfare were rewarded on seventy minutes when, from a corner, Cusworth’s header was saved but Middleton was on hand to poke the loose ball home.
Winterton should have been level minutes later when substitute Tom Finnegan was one on one with Williams but as he went round the keeper he could only strike his shot against the bar.
In the closing minutes the welfare defence held out as the home side looked for an equaliser although Akeister had a shot blocked and substitute Connor Rollinson hit a shot just wide.
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Craig Wilkinson: “The lads have finished on a high with a win which is pleasing. We have struggled recently and the fixtures have caught up. It has been a difficult month but it is always good to finish on a positive note to take into the close season.”
Winterton Rangers: Tomlinson, Coulbeck, Rotherham, Morrill (Finnegan), Giblin, Palmer (Vazquez) Start, Shortland, Coulson, Batty (Severn), Silburn.
Glasshoughon Welfare: Williams, Coyles, Brearley, Akeister, Cusworth, Hunter, Poskitt (Collinson), Morley, Scothern, Fawcett, Middleton.
Referee: Waquar Ahmed
Attendance: 52