Toolstation NCEL Division One
Armthorpe Welfare 0-3 Glasshoughton Welfare
Key man Rob Oldham had a big role in Glasshoughton’s 3-0 victory at Armthorpe
Glasshoughton Welfare continued their march towards the play-offs, with a relatively comfortable victory at Armthorpe Welfare.
A first half Rob Oldham goal set Welfare on there way and only the goal post and bar, and desperate defending prevented the score being greater in the first half. A Jamie Simpson strike, and a Conor Glavin second half effort saw Glasshoughton home.
Mateuz Zaniewski came back in goal for Glasshoughton and due to injuries and a suspension, Welfare brought back in captain marvel Gareth Hunter, Ryan Ferguson, and Oidham,, In the warm up Sam Pashley became unfit so Jamie Simpson came in for his first start for the club. Former Glasshoughton player Josh Bucknall lined up for the home side against his old colleagues.
Glasshoughton were under early pressure early on and Chris Simpkins fired an effort over the bar.
However, Glasshoughton took the lead on 5 minutes when Lewis Akeister fired a fabulous and pinpoint 50-yard ball from right to left of the pitch, which Oldham brought down and he ran on and fired past Mark Sanderson in the home goal.
It could have been two for Glasshoughton minutes later when from a corner kick, Simpson saw his header blocked on the line and the follow up effort from Tom Carr was also blocked.
At the other end Josh Gibbons and Gracjan Klimczack shot over the visitors bar.
For Glasshoughton Simpson had a purple patch when his headed effort was pushed over the bar by Sanderson. From the resultant corner Simpson saw his header strike the underside of the crossbar and was claimed by Sanderson as the visiting players argued that the ball had crossed the goal line. Seconds later the ball came back to Simpson who hit an effort wide.
Minutes later Simpson’s superb ball put Carr through and his drive was pushed onto the post by Sanderson. Then the goalkeeper foiled Ferguson with a save with his feet.
The home side pushed Glasshoughton back as the second half opened and Gibbons saw an effort go wide.
However Glasshoughton got their second goal on 60 minutes when a ball was played in from the right to Simpson who controlled it well before turning and shooting low past Sanderson.
Welfare secured the win eight minutes later when Oldham hit a high corner kick to the far post which Sanderson got no where to, and the ball was bundled in at the far post with Glavin appearing to get the final touch.
The home side kept battling and Simpkins hit another effort over but then Carr put a sumptuous ball through to Ferguson and his chipped effort just cleared the bar.
In the last minute Zaniewski made his only real save of the game saving a goal bound effort and then recovering to claim the loose ball.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Lee Vigars
“Really pleased with our performance today. We had Alex Marsh, Andy Horbury, Mitch Wilshere, Sam Pashley and Dan Bingley all missing today so we had to shuffle the pack around a bit. Skipper Gaz Hunter slotted in at centre half and was outstanding alongside the reliable Adam Walsh.
“The pitch was in great condition following the recent bad weather so we went out with the intention of keeping the ball on the deck and playing quickly. We started very well and were creating chances early on. Jamie Simpson, Conor Glavin and Tom Carr all had glorious opportunities to get on the score sheet but the deadlock was broken with a superb Rob Oldham goal. Lewis Akiester has drilled a 60 yard cross ball straight into the path of Rob who’s first touch set him free. He stayed composed and fired us into the lead with a cracking finish.
“More chances went begging and we worried we might rue those later on. It wasn’t to be though as we completely controlled the game in front and scored again through Jamie Simpson and Conor Glavin. More chances were missed late on along with some good saves by the home keeper to keep the score line respectable for the hosts.”
The Teams
Armthorpe Welfare: Sanderson, Selassie, Bucknall, Gibbons (Brough), Garner (O’Neill), Dodds, Aspinall, Klimczack (Jackson), Williams, Simpkins. Subs unused: Collins, Smith.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Rollinson, Cunliffe, Simpson (Hullock), Hunter (captain), Walsh, Ferguson, Akeister, Carr, Glavin, Oldham (Horn). Sub unused: Pashley.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.