Garforth Town 1-3 Glasshoughton Welfare
Ashley Scothern scored twice for Glasshoughton
Glasshoughton Welfare rounded off their pre-season campaign on Tuesday night with a good win at Garforth Town, who fielded different sides in each half.
A brace of goals midway through the first half from the revitalised Ash Scothern set Welfare on their way and an early second half goal from new signing Elie Jr Akobeto sealed the win.
A Luke McCrum consolation was to little too late for the home side.
With first choice goalkeeper Jordan Bradshaw still injured, Welfare fielded trialist Ash Wood between the posts and he made several fine blocks to keep his side ahead.
Injuries last season seemed to blight Scothern’s form, but the experienced striker is looking revitalised this season and he nearly gave Welfare an early lead when he lobbed the ball just wide of goal.
Young Tom Coyles drove an effort over the bar before Welfare took the lead on 22 minutes. A great cross field ball from Josh Morley was picked up by Scothern on the right and he ran on before driving it past the home keeper.
Two minutes later a Conor Glavin free kick was headed across goal by Andy McManus and once again Scothern was on hand to force the ball home.
Garforth came close just before the break when a header from a corner flashed just wide of goal.
The home side changed virtually all of their starting eleven for the second period and indeed Welfare made numerous changes during the second half.
Welfare increased their lead on 50 minutes when Glavin did well to charge down a clearance from the home keeper and the loose ball fell to Akobeto who drilled home.
It could have been four as a few minutes later when a long ball was only collected at the second attempt by the keeper as Scothern looked to pounce.
The strong home side upped the pressure and Wood made a great block at his near post before a high cross was bundled in by former Welfare player McCrum.
Sadly for the home side that would be their only consolation of the evening although keeper Wood made two late superb blocks to deny them.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Lee Vigars
“I’m really pleased with tonight’s performance. There were plenty of positives to take from the game and some outstanding individual performances also.
“We’ve finished the pre season campaign with three tricky games against higher opposition so to come away from Garforth with a 3-1 win certainly gives the group a boost heading into the opener at Selby on Saturday.
“Ash Scothern continues his hot streak with another brace and it was also great to see Elie Akobeto get off the mark following a strong game leading the attack.”