Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby Town 0-1 Glasshoughton Welfare
Young Tom Coyles scored for Glasshoughton Welfare
Young Tom Coyles ensured that Glasshoughton Welfare began the new season with a narrow victory at local neighbours Selby Town.
In a poor game probably spoilt by a swirling wind at the Fairfax Plant Hire stadium both sides struggled to put passes together and Welfare were lucky to come away with the points.
Welfare gave competitive debuts to new signings Josh Bucknall and Elie Jr Akebeto along with dual-registered Shaw Lane goalkeeper Mateusz Zaniewski.
Only the new goalkeeper, Bucknall, new captain Andy McManus, and man of the match Gareth Hunter can be satisfied with their display in a below par performance from the Welfare starting eleven, who had performed so well in their final pre-season win at Garforth earlier in the week.
Welfare were on top in the first minutes when home goalkeeper Johnathan Iveson took two attempts to hold a Conor Glavin free kick. From a corner Akebeto swivelled, but shot wide. At the other end former Welfare player Danny Snaith fired a shot just over the bar.
Welfare had a good chance on 11 minutes when Akebeto fed a good ball to Morley on the left but his shot was well saved by Iveson.
Welfare took the lead on 24 minutes when a great ball from Lewis Akeister found Tom Coyles on the right. He strode on and his initial shot was charged down but his follow up effort looped over the home defence and nestled in the net.
A minute later Welfare should have had a second when a Morley corner was missed by a number of welfare players and as the half drew to a close Nick Kennedy fired just over for the home side and Morley hit wide.
The home started the second half strongly and Charlie Clamp hit an effort just wide of a post and then keeper Mateusz pushed a high ball away.
McManus showed great composure to take the ball off the toes of a Selby player who looked certain to score. Welfare had a lucky escape when a Liam Flanagan free kick cannoned off the post. Seconds later a cross was met by a home player who somehow headed the chance away instead of at goal.
In the final minutes welfare should have put the game to bed with Ash Scothern lobbing over the goal and substitute Fidel Mholo having the ball smothered by Iveson when he should have done better.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare manager Darren Holmes
“After working really hard in preseason and putting in some really good performances today was very disappointing.
“We didn’t retain the ball very well causing our own problems and losing shape under pressure.
“The pleasing thing is we kept a clean sheet defended well in the last 3rd and kept their chances to just two or three with our keeper only really having to make a couple of saves.
“We know we have lots of improvements to make if we are to make strides towards the top six and the lads know they can do lots better than today’s performance.
“Even though it was a poor performance it’s nice to win on opening day and put pionts on the board.
“Looking forward to Tuesday to put things right and again taking all three points.”
The Teams
Selby Town: Iveson, Pearse, Philipson, Snaith (Fusworth), Gothard, Lucas, Kennedy, Freer (Hullock), Flanagan, Clamp, Dempsey. Subs unused: Milner, Metcalfe, Wilkinson.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Mateusz, Coyles, Cunliffe, Hunter, McManus, Bucknall, Scothern (Mholo), Akeister (Rollinson), Akobeto (Marsh), Glavin , Morley. Subs unused. Varley, Kellett.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.