Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 1-2 Grimsby Borough
Glasshoughton Welfare goalkeeper Danny Waring was sent off early on in the 2-1 defeat to Grimsby Borough
Glasshoughton Welfare’s ten match unbeaten run came to an end at Leeds Road when they were narrowly beaten by Grimsby Borough.
The game was really a tale of three goalkeepers who took centre stage. Welfare’s Danny Waring was controversially sent off within the first ten minutes of the game and striker Andy Horbury took the gloves and he went onto have a fine game.
However at the other end Scott Drury was a real hero for the visitors making at least four superb saves to prevent welfare scoring more than one goal in the game.
Welfare made a couple of changes from the side that beat Shirebrook last Saturday. Alex Marsh came in for his second start of the season replacing Brad Kilner and Sam Varley replaced the unavailable Callum Harrison.
The game sprang to life just after the five minute mark when Waring was adjudged to have handled the ball outside his penalty area when blocking a shot. Referee John Macrae immediately showed the goalkeeper a red card, much to the dismay of the keeper and the Welfare players who were adamant that the keeper had been in the area when making the save. Waring was distraught as he was replaced by Horbury. Welfare had to sacrifice Ashley Scothern to make the change.
From the resultant freekick Jack Debnam slotted the ball home to give the visitors the lead.
Welfare hit back with Nathan Keightley hitting a cross come shot well wide and then Ryan Poskitt had a shot well blocked before hitting another effort wide.
Welfare came close on 31 minutes when a great cross from Rich Collier found Keightley 8 yards out and his effort was brilliantly palmed away by Drury. A couple of minutes later a Welfare corner nearly crept in at the near post until Drury made a last ditch dive on the ball. Then at the other end Horbury made a great block from a Debnam strike.
Keightley had another chance on 35 after a great through ball from Adam Hayton but Drury managed to smother the ball after a poor first touch from the Welfare striker.
Just before the interval Horbury saved at the feet of James Petronzio and then blocked an effort from Adam Drury with his feet.
The stand-in keeper made another good save at his near post just after the break and at the other end Scott Drury once again foiled Keightley with a great block. Louis Akeister had a shot charged down before Grimsby increased their lead on 73 minutes with a rather fortunate goal. Horbury saved a shot with his feet but the ball looped up and seemed to strike substitute Sam Walker before going over the goal line.
Welfare’s ten men were battling to the end and the personal battle that seemed to be evolving between Keightley and keeper Drury continued with the latter pulling off two great saves from the frustrated striker. However in the 77th minute Keightley did manage to round the keeper and slot the ball home.
Minutes later Collier just failed to get onto the end of a cross and then Drury claimed the ball at the second attempt as Poskitt closed in.
In injury time Horbury came up for a free kick but the ball was well punched away by Drury.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Lee Vigars
“We’ve very proud of the boys tonight following that performance. Losing our keeper after only a few minutes was disastrous but to play the next 85 the way we did was superb. Their keeper has pulled off four cracking saves and has basically won them the game. It says a lot when the opposition manager says we deserved all three points. We now look forward to Hemsworth in the FA Vase.”
The Teams
Glasshoughton Welfare: Waring, Marsh, Brearley, Hayton, Varley, Mcmanus, Poskitt, Akeister, Scothern (Horbury), Keightley, Collier. Subs unused: Kilner, Moyce, Maude, Coulman.
Grimsby Borough: Drury (S), Drury (A), Petronzio, Lobendham, Hanslip, Cooper, Mitchell, Peers, Trott, (Walker), Debnam, Bradbury, Subs: Sarbatt,, Zarrelly, Fanthorpe.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.