Paul’s header defeats nine-man Welfare

Toolstation NCEL Division One

Glasshoughton Welfare 0-1 Knaresborough Town

Paul Atkinson’s header against nine-man Glasshoughton Welfare ensured that Knaresborough Town remain in the race for the play-offs

In a game that was hard fought, but certainly not dirty or contentious, referee Ricky Taylor was centre of attention after dishing out five yellow cards to the home players as well as sending off Andy Horbury and Ash Scothern. Two visiting players were also cautioned.

Welfare opened strongly and should have taken the lead in the first few minutes when a Connor Glavin shot was deflected for a corner. Lousi Akeister then hit a shot just over the bar of visiting keeper Jack Rushworth.

Jordan Bradshaw saved Welfare on ten minutes when he raced to the edge of his area to parry a shot away and he and his defenders then managed to deflect the loose ball away for a corner. A few minutes later the unsighted keeper did well to beat away an 18 yards effort from Dominic Wilson. Shortly after Wilson had another chance from a corner but he scuffed his near post shot wide.

As the first half drew to a close Ryan Poskitt had a shot deflected for a corner and Adam Walsh headed a corner over the bar when it looked easier to score.

Horbury received a second yellow card just after the break and was sent off. As the pressure mounted on the home side Poskitt saved them with a clearance off the home goal line.

At the other end Louis Akeister dragged a shot wide of the post but the visitors came close when substitute Harry Brown rounded Bradshaw but then somehow poked his shot wide of goal

The visitors took the lead on 77 minutes when poor defending on the Welfare left allowed Brad Walker to cross to the far post from where Atkinson headed home despite appearing to be in an offside position.

Welfare tried to get back to no avail and their efforts were compounded when Ash Scothern, who had been cautioned minutes earlier,  was given a second yellow card for a tame tackle on a visiting player in the last two minutes of the game.

What They Said

Glasshoughton Welfare joint manger Darren Holmes

“Today’s game was a very evenly matched game with both sides committed to the cause. A point would have been a fair result. The lads worked hard and took the game Knaresborough and we should have taken the lead just before half-time when it looked easier to score.

“Unfortunately the game was taken away from us with two poor sendings off that basically finished the game for us. The six bookings and two sending offs did not reflect the game and we deserved more.  We will keep pushing on to the last game of the season and see where that takes us.”

The Teams

Glasshoughton Welfare: Bradshaw, Varley, Brearley (Marsh), Hayton, Walsh, McManus, Scothern, Akeister, Horbury, Glavin, Poskitt (Morley). Subs unused: Cunliffe, Hunter, Horn.

Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, S Parkes, Rodgers, Kenhan, Cook, Bradley, Maullin (Hobson), Wilson (B Parkes), Lancaster (Brown), Walker, Atkinson.

Thanks to Garry Mollon.