Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 1-3 Pontefract Collieries
Chris Wood scored for Pontefract in the win at Glasshoughton
Pontefract Collieries completed the double over arch rivals Glasshoughton Welfare, who slumped to a fifth consecutive defeat.
This was a good, but sometimes bad tempered affair between these two long standing rivals with Welfare taking an early lead from Ash Scothern.
Chris Wood then hit back for the visitors before half-time. Colls scored within the first few seconds of the second half and then in the last minute to seal the victory. A sour note in the game was a debatable red card to Welfare player Mike Brearley which caused uproar amongst players and supporters.
Pontefract started on the front foot and caused problems for the welfare defence in the first minutes. Jordan Turner hit a shot in from the right which was pushed away by Andy Holland in the home goal and Wood hit the loose ball back into the arms of Holland.
Welfare took the lead on six minutes when Scothern rifled the ball past former welfare keeper Ben Saynor after a great ball in from Connor Glavin.
Colls hit back with a wicked shot that bounced off the chest of Holland although at the other end Olly Maude just failed to get onto the end of a Brearley cross. The ball fell to Nathan Keightley but he hit his shot well over the bar.
The visitors equalised on thirty minutes. Former welfare player was brought down just outside the home penalty area. Holland did well to push Josh Corbett’s free kick away but Wood followed up to hammer the ball home.
Minutes later Scothern should have had a second for the home side when receiving the ball ten yards out, but with only Saynor to beat his shot cannoned back off the crossbar.
Just before the break Turner stung the hands of Holland with a well hit shot and Saynor gathered an effort from Keightley.
Colls took the lead within seconds of the start of the second half commencing. Holland parried an effort away but Spencer Clarke followed up to rifle home. Straight from the restart the visitors were on the ball again and Turner fired over the bar.
The game turned rather ugly on fifty eight minutes when Brearley went into a tackle with a visiting player. A number of players then got into a fracas and Brearley was dismissed by referee Michael Connell, much to the annoyance of the player and home supporters.
After this tackles were flying in from both sides and Mr Connell yellow carded a number of players. The football continued and Maude had a great chance but his weak header was cleared. Andy McManus came to Welfare’s rescue twice within seconds to block dangerous attacks.
The visitors sealed the win in the last minute when Callum Harrison conceded a free-kick just outside the home penalty area and the following kick was steered in by Turner.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Lee Vigars
“A typical local derby with both sides giving everything. Ash took his goal really well but then to concede such a soft goal is frustrating. We had a great chance to go 2-1 up before half-time but it is missed chances like that which costs us games.
“Mike’s sending off obviously changed the game and we were forced into tactical changes but we couldn’t quite claw it back. I can’t fault the boys today for their effort and commitment and if we can show the same each week we will win more than we will lose.”
The Teams
Glasshoughthon Welfare: Holland, Harrison, Brearley, Maude, Walsh, McManus, Keightley, Akeister, Scothern (Horbury) Glavin (Cunliffe) Marsh (Poskitt). Sub unused: Varley.
Pontefract Collieries: Saynor, Greenhough, Stratford, Seed, Jeffs, Clarke, Reece, Corbett (Stapleton), Turner, Wood (Mawson) Dunn (Jackson). Subs unused: Haigh, Mole.
Thanks to Garry Mollon