Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 4-1 Shirebrook Town
Ryan Ferguson scored twice in Glasshoughton’s 4-1 win over Shirebrook. Picture: John Hirst
Two goals from Ryan Ferguson ensured flying Glasshoughton Welfare beat play-offs rivals Shirebrook in resounding fashion to maintain their pursuit of a top six place.
Glasshoughton found themselves one down early in the first half, but a brace from Ryan Ferguson and goals from man of the match Tom Carr and Tom Hullock saw them claim the win in a great end-to-end game.
The only negative was goalkeeper Matt Zaniewski’s red card in the final ten seconds. He now faces a three-match ban and he will miss the crunch clash with Selby Town next week.
Both sides were much changed from the game at Shierbook in September when Welfare lost 2-0. Welfare made changes after the win at Armthorpe last week. Andy Horbury and Sam Pashley came back into the side with Lewis Akeister unavailable, while Jamie Simpson dropped back onto the bench.
Horbury missed a great chance in the first minutes when he poked an easy effort wide from six yards with only Gavin Saxby in the visitors goal to beat.
At the other end Zaniewski saved a Declan Brewin effort with his legs
Welfare had other chances with Horbury shooting wide and Saxby pushed a Ferguson effort away with the follow up efforts blocked.
Shirebrook took the lead on 20 minutes when Carter Widdowson nudged in a low Jordan Claxton corner.
Welfare were level ten minutes later when Connor Rollinson was deemed to have been fouled some 35 yards from goal and the resultant Tom Carr free-kick had to be seen to be believed as the venomous kick soared past Saxby into the top of the net.
It was now all Welfare and Rob Oldham just failed to get onto the end of a delicious chipped ball from Ferguson.
However Welfare went two up in the 40th minute when Saxby saved from Carr and another effort was cleared off the line only for Ferguson to then fire the rebound home.
Tom Hullock came on for the injured Matt Cunliffe at the start of the second half and he made an immediate impact following up to drive home as Saxby initially saved Carr’s effort.
The visitors were not to be outdone and Zaniewski brilliantly clawed a volley away from his goal before blocking another effort with his legs.
Welfare increased their lead on 56 minutes when Hullock’s deft header found Carr on the right and his low cross was fired home by Ferguson at the far post.
Never say die Shirebrook came back again and Zaniewski had to block an effort with his legs before holding a Mark Robinson shot just under the crossbar
Welfare substitute Jamie Simpson had a late great chance to get another for the home side, but with only Saxby to beat his final touch took the ball wide and his cross could not be forced home.
Oldham then saw his rasping 35 yard drive pushed for a corner by Saxby and then in the final seconds off injury time Zaniewski was given a straight red card as he reacted to an opposing player trying to hold his hands at a corner kick.
The Team
Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Rollinson (Horn), Cunliffe (Hullock), Hunter, Pashley, Walsh Ferguson, Glavin, Horbury (Simpson), Carr, Oldham. Sub unused: Marsh.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.