Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 4-0 Dronfield Town
Glasshoughton striker Nathan Keightley. Picture: alexdanielphotos.co.uk
Glasshoughton Welfare made it two wins out of two with a comfortable Boxing Day win over struggling Dronfield Town at a very cold Leeds Road.
Andy Horbury opened the scoring for Welfare before a brace from Nathan Keightley, scoring his 18th and 19th goals of the season, contributed to the win before Ryan Poskitt completed the scoring.
Welfare had a number of suspensions for the game and were forced into changes. Brett Souter, signed on dual registered forms from Ossett Albion, came in to replace Andy Holland in goal. From the team that had started last week at Brigg Town, Adam Hayton came in for Olly Maude. Callum Harrison and Mike Brearley once again missed out due to suspension. Matt Cunliffe continued at left back and he went onto have another good game – earning him the man of the match award.
Dronfield named fifteen players on their team sheet, but sadly only ten took to the field.
In front of 85 hardy spectators Welfare showed early pressure and Keightley had an early shot saved at the near post by keeper Joe Taylor.
Welfare took the lead on ten minutes when Horbury hit a shot in from twenty yards that bounced awkwardly in front of the keeper and ended up in the far corner of the net.
The visitors hit back and Ashden Morley got on the end of a corner but hit his effort wide of Sourter’s near post.
Welfare doubled their lead on twenty five minutes when Keightley hit a shot in from 18 yards that beat Taylor at his near post.
The spirited visitors did not give up and Souter was forced into a low save from Akhavan-heza just before the interval.
Just after half time Welfare should have had a third. Great passing between Horbury and Poskitt saw the latter finally shoot wide with only Taylor to beat.
However on the 65th minute Welfare did get their third goal with a sublime effort from young Keightley. He received the ball 20 yards from goal, turned and hammered a left foot shot high into the net past the helpless Taylor.
Once again the visitors came back and Souter made a good save low to his right.
For Welfare, Conor Glavin missed a good chance before Taylor made a good save with his feet from substitute Ashley Scothern.
Welfare wrapped the game up on 81 minutes when Keightley drove into the area and his pass into the penalty area was hit home by Poskitt.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Lee Vigars
“Atrocious conditions for football today but I think that the lads did extremely well especially the second half. The first 45 minutes we were a bit sloppy in possession and didn’t do ourselves justice. We discussed a few things at the break and the boys put things right in the second half. It was good to see Andy Horbury on the scoresheet following some good individual performances and the brace from Nathan will restore some confidence. Ryan Poskitt also capped a very good performance with a great finish.”
The Teams
Glasshoughton Welfare: Souter, Marsh, Cunliffe, Hayton, Walsh, McManus, Keightley, Akeister, Horbury, Glavin (Scothern), Poskitt.
Dronfield Town (named players): Taylor, Laister, Butler, Akhavan-Heza, Morley, Darlow, Rudoifirth. Fairweather, Lambert, Owen, Blake, Dickinson, Gray, Wilson, Slater.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.