Toolstation NCEL Division One
Rossington Main 4-5 Glasshoughton Welfare
Who needs the Showman when you have a leaping salmon: Andy Horbury scored a terrific winner for Glasshoughton
Andy Horbury leapt like a salmon to score the 86th winning headed goal to give Glasshoughton Welfare all three points at Rossington Main in the epic encounter at a windy Oxford Street.
Welfare took an early lead in the game but at the half-time break they were losing 3-2 as the game swung from end to end.
Three goals were scored in two pulsating second half minutes just after the break and just as it looked as thought the points would be shared, Horbury’s towering header saw all three points go to the visitors – ending their five match winless run.
Welfare were forced into changes from the side beaten in mid week at Grimsby with Lewis Akeister replacing the suspended Gareth Hunter and Connor Rollinson replaced the ill Mitchell Wilshire.
Welfare opened the game strongly playing against the wind and Horbury could not quite get his shot away from a good right wing cross..
At the other end Declan Howe had an effort blocked for a corner before the ever dangerous Jason Stokes saw a drive just clear the Welfare crossbar.
Welfare took the lead on 16 minutes when Horbury headed a throw in onto the edge of the home penalty area and Lewis Akeister smashed the ball past home keeper Dan Morton.
Four minutes later Howe equalised when the Welfare defence were caught out and Howe hit the loose ball home.
Howe nearly got a second a few minutes later when he flicked a cross over Mateus Zaniewski but the effort also went over the bar.
The home side took the lead on 35 minutes when a drive from a quick free kick could not be held by Zaniewski and Will Wraith knocked the loose ball home.
Welfare came back and a Robert Oldham free kick was prodded home at the far post by Adam Walsh just before the break.
However with virtually the last kick of the half Wraith got his second when poor Welfare defending allowed a cross in from the left and despite Zaniewski blocking a goal bound effort, Wraith was allowed time to hit the ball home.
Ten minutes into the second half the game exploded. Firstly Welfare’s Ryan Ferguson was fouled in the penalty are but Ryan Poskitt’s good penalty was saved by Morton. Seconds later The Showman was not to be denied when his brilliant 30 yards effort beat Morton into the far corner.
Rossington came straight back and Welfare captain Andy McManus fouled Howe in the penalty area and Connor Williamson stepped up to beat Zaniewski with the penalty.
From the re-start welfare attacked again and Ryan Ferguson slipped the ball past Morton and despite an attempt to clear by a home defender the ball entered the net.
Michael Cuckson saw his flicked effort go just wide as the home side went for the winner but welfare won the points with four minutes remaining. A great cross field ball from Ferguson looked to be lost but Poskitt did well to keep the ball alive, He passed back to Alex Marsh who hit a pin point cross to the far post where Horbury rose and planted his header past Morton to seal the win.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Darren Holmes
“What a difference a few days make. We were all very down after the result on Wednesday but all carried the positives into today.
“Although we made hard work of the win we deserved all three points .It was a solid performance today .The midfield work very hard and both our full backs got forward well and produced some excellent early ball for our strikers.
“Special mention to Andy Horbury who works so hard every week for little reward. He scored a fantastic winner today. If we can cut out the individual errors I’m sure we will move up the league where we belong. We all look forward to Tuesday’s home game and putting more points on the board. Great team effort today.”
The Teams
Rossington Main: Morton, Bulman, Billam, Linley, Cuckson, Williamson, Wraith (Howson) Head (Chipamunga), Howe, Johnson, Stokes, Subs unused: Wiffen, Cusworth, Scott.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Marsh, Oldham, Akeister, McManus, Walsh, Ferguson, Glavin, Horbury (Tonkinson), Poskitt, Rollinson. Subs unused: Brearley, Cunliffe.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.