Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 6-2 Shirebrook Town
Ollie Maude was Glasshoughton’s man of the match
Glasshoughton Welfare joint managers Darren Holmes and Lee Vigars may have wondered where their goals would have come from against an improving Shirebrook Town with both recognised strikers Ashley Scothern and Horbury suspended for this clash.
They need not have, as midfielders Olly Maude (2), Josh Morley (2), along with Ryan Poskitt, and Connor Glavin with one each, gave Welfare a resounding win at a sunny Leeds Road.
With the suspensions welfare had to make changes and Maude was given the number nine shirt. Poskitt was also pushed up front with Josh Morley coming into his left side position. Matt Cunliffe replaced Mike Brearley at left back.
The first half hour was a tepid affair but the game certainly came to life in the last quarter of the first half.
On 31 minutes a ball from the Welfare right reached Poskitt just inside the penalty area and he slotted through the arms of visiting keeper James Humphreys.
Four minutes later Poskitt turned provider when he fed Morley in and he fired low past Humphreys.
At the other end a snap shot was well held by home goalkeeper Jordan Bradshaw, but straightaway Welfare attacked again and, despite appeals for offside, man of the match Maude bore down on goal and hit the ball past the keeper at his near post.
Welfare were then rocked by two goals from the visitors in a minute just before the break. Firstly Jake Whelan hit a first time volley from 35 yards that flew into the top of the home net, and a minute later Ashley Crownshaw headed home to the delight of the travelling support.
As the second half opened a good move saw Glavin hit a shot just wide, whilst at the other end Mark Robinson forced Bradshaw into a good save.
Welfare increased their lead on 58 minutes when a ball from the right saw Maude latch onto Poskitt’s cushioned header and he volleyed past Humphreys.
Minutes later Maude saw a shot deflected for a corner and Glavin saw an effort well held by the keeper.
Welfare got their fifth goal on 72 minutes. Good work between Poskitt and Glavin saw the ball played out to Morley who fired home from the edge of the penalty area.
Two minutes later the scoring was completed when Glavin expertly fired a free-kick over the defensive wall and into the corner of the goal after Maude was brought down on the edge of the penalty area.
At that point Welfare introduced former welfare player Gareth Hunter for his second debut for the club and young Reece Horne also came on for his first league appearance.
As the game ended Poskitt forced Humphreys into a low sprawling save from his free-kick.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Lee Vigars
“Fantastic result against a Shirebrook side who are on a good run of form at the moment. With suspensions and injuries we had to juggle our side around today but individually the boys were great. Special praise goes to Olly Maude who led the line superbly along with Ryan Poskitt. The pair linked well all day and were a constant threat. That’s a big three points today in our pursuit of a top eight finish.”
The Teams
Glasshoughton Welfare: Bradshaw, Varley (Hunter), Cunliffe (Marsh), Hayton, Walsh, McManus, Glavin (Horne), Akeister, Maude, Poskitt, Morley.
Shirebrook Town: Humphreys, Crownshaw, Cupit (Wesley), Henshaw, Hill, Foster, Whelan, Preece, Robinson, O’Kane, Dunne.