Toolstation NCEL Division One
Knaresborough Town 2-0 Glasshoughton Welfare
Blaine Hobaon celebrates his goal for Knaresborough. Picture: Craig Dinsdale
Leaders Knaresborough bounced back from their first league defeat of the season by scoring two late goals to overcome a spirited Glasshoughton side.
Andy Horbury and Mitch Wilshire had chances to give Welfare the lead just before, and after half-time, but goals in the last 15 minutes from Tom Hesketh and Blaine Hobson saw Welfare’s three game unbeaten run come to an end.
The Welfare goal was literally under siege for the first half hour and the overworked defence had to show great courage to block several efforts on goal.
Mateus Zaniewski in the Welfare goal handled the ball well on the greasy pitch and he parried a thunderous Dom Wilson free kick away. The goalkeeper also did well to push away a cross come shot in a crowded welfare goal area. Dan Thirkill hit a shot across goal and he later headed a good chance wide.
Just before the break Horbury did well to win a 50/50 ball and he bore down on goal but home keeper Dan Atkinson thwarted his shot on goal with an outstretched leg.
Welfare had the home defence rocking at the start of the second period and Atkinson did well to block an effort from Wilshire as he broke through with only the keeper to beat. Horbury’s follow up effort was deflected for a corner.
Despite coming close to breaking the deadlock a number of times, Welfare fell behind to a 74th minute long range strike from Hesketh which gave Zaniewski no chance.
Six minutes later the home side sealed the game ultimately from a mistake by Zaniewski. The big goalkeeper made a hash of a free kick from the edge of his penalty area. The ball went to a home player and although it was won back by welfare it was lost again and Hobson kept his cool to slot past Zaniewski.
The Teams
Knaresborough Town: Atkinson, Youhill (McCall), Lenehan, Hesketh, Gregg, Cook (Donnelly), Wilson, Thirkill, Bromley (Hobson), Walker, Kidd.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Marsh, Oldham, Hunter, McManus, Walsh, Rollinson (Bucknall), Akeister, Horbury, Glavin, Wilshire (Horn). Sub unused: Cunliffe.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.