Toolstation NCEL Division One
Nostell Miners Welfare 1-3 Glasshoughton Welfare
The Showman Ryan Poskitt was on form for Glasshoughton
The Showman Ryan Poskitt was back to his best with a terrific double to help Glasshoughton Welfare to their first league win in four matches.
A fine late strike from captain Andy McManus sealed the victory.
After two minutes, it looked like Glasshoughton were in for a long night as Nostell went ahead through debutant veteran Neil Towler.
Visiting goalkeeper Jordan Bradshaw horrifically dropped Sam Kelly’s cross and former Frickley Athletic pounced to score from inches out.
For a while, Nostell were comfortable, but luck soon changed for them from nothing.
Glasshoughton, who were poor on the shots count against Armthorpe last week, must have bought some new training balls or done something because they found their shooting boots this week.
A fine loss cross from the right flank by Andy Horbury was met by the Showman Poskitt who couldn’t miss from close range – a great moment because it was his first goal of what has been an injury-hit season so far.
Nostell were undone in similar fashion for the second goal. Marsh was the crosser on this occasion and former Worsbrough star Poskitt headed home – pleasing his ever-growing supoorters’ club.
If he can sustain a solid run of top form, Poskitt will have people thinking that this year’s Hollywood blockbuster The Greatest Showman, starring Hugh Jackman, was a biopic of him.
The Showman: Glasshoughton Welfare forward Ryan Poskitt
Glasshoughton midfielder Conor Glavin hit the crossbar with a header
The second half was fairly forgettable after a frantic opening ten minutes. Conor Glavin hit the crossbar with a header before the ‘victim’ of a lunge from Nostell captain Jimmy Greenhough, who was sent off.
Although down to ten men, Nostell briefly celebrated an equaliser when Towler fired home, but his strike was ruled out for offside. As the game wore-on, the red card killed Nostell, who must take heart from the fact they kept battling until the end – 12 months ago they would have probably folded.
Eventually Glasshoughton forced a decisive third, coming from McManus, who showed great composure to fire past Scott Atkinson.
Substitute Connor Rollinson almost added a fourth when he clipped the crossbar with a terrific effort from distance – had it gone in it would have been on par with his unforgettable worldie for Worsbrough Bridge at Selby last season.
All that was missing for Glasshoughton was a hat-trick from the Showman.
The Teams
Nostell Miners Welfare: Atkinson, Booth, Pearson, Chipasha, Ward, Groake, Busfield, Greenhough (captain), Mole, Towler, Kelly (Mbire). Subs unused: Collins, Croft, Appleton.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Bradshaw, Marsh, Brearley, Hunter (Scothern 82), McManus (captain), Bucknall, Glavin, Akeister (Rollinson 72), Horbury (Wilshire 60), Poskitt, Carr. Subs unused: Walsh, Land.
Who Was In Charge
Peter Creagh (6/10)
Not the best of games for Mr Creagh, who was given a high mark by NLY last month. His man management was poor and he did seem to take the torrential rain into account when handing out a series of unnecessary yellow cards. He also gave the impression of a man rattled by the presence of the assessor in the stand. That said, his performance last month, shows he has clear potential to be a top referee.
How Many Were There
85
Man of the Match
Mike Brearley (Glasshoughton Welfare)
Class act Mike Brearley oozes quality for Glasshoughton
Class act Mike Brearley narrowly beats Gaz Hunter to the man of the match award. The left-back oozes quality and he was tremendous for Welfare.