Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 0-5 Hall Road Rangers
Hall Road captain Ash Dexter shoots for goal in the 5-0 win at Glasshoughton. Picture: Lee Myers
Hall Road Rangers closed in on second placed Penistone Church following a comfortable win at Glasshoughton.
After Chris Spinks rolled home his 22nd goal of the season from the penalty spot the first hour was largely even, until second half goals from Joe Cooper and Jake Vernon made certain of the points before James Piercy and Gareth Owen scored in added time.
With Rangers boss Dave Ricardo setting a target of 11 maximum point hauls from their remaining 17 fixtures, Rangers set about their task in a professional, and workmanlike fashion.
Hall Road got their show on the road when Tom Bennett was hauled down in the penalty area. Following a lengthy delay due to medical treatment been required to Glasshoughton’s goal-keeper, Spinks maintained his concentration to power home from the penalty spot, sending his opposite number the wrong way. T
he game was an even contest, and the all-important next goal would prove decisive. Glasshoughton started the second half the better of the sides, but when Joe Cooper nodded home with 23 minutes remaining Hall Road began to motor through the gears on a heavy pitch.
It was on 77 minutes when the game was laid to rest with a vintage counter-attack. After the ball was worked out to Danny Norton on the right flank the in-form winger found Jake Vernon who with only the keeper to beat made no mistake with a rocket finish into the bottom left corner.
Norton was again instrumental in Hall Road’s fourth when a mazy run saw him play in James Piercy who prodded home in added time. There was still time after the restart for second half substitute Gareth Owen to record a fifth goal to further boost growing hopes that Hall Road can muscle in amongst the top two in the division.