Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 5-1 Rossington Main
Key man Rob Oldham had a big role in Glasshoughton’s 5-1 win over Rossington
In-form Glasshoughton Welfare stormed into the play-offs zone thanks to a magnificent second half display to defeat hard-working Rossington Main.
Glasshoughton took full advantage of postponements elsewhere and Winterton’s defeat at AFC Emley to propel themselves to sixth place. The real battle for the final play-offs spot is still beginning though as Hallam and Selby Town remain hot on their heels
Two goals each from Andy Horbury and Conor Glavin along with the opener from Rob Oldham secured the precious win.
Welfare did not have it all their own way especially in the first half when the visitors were arguably the better side on the attack, and once again they were indebted to big goalkeeper Matt Zaniewski for a couple of fine saves.
Welfare opened brightly and good passing between Tom Carr and Mitch Wilshire saw Carr’s shot blocked. Just after Carr deflected a Robert Marsh cross just wide of goal.
Man of the match Oldham over ran the ball when one on one with visiting goalkeeper Dan Morton and he could only prod the ball into the hands of the keeper.
Not to be outdone Oldham gave Welfare the lead on 22 minutes when he met Horbury’s overhead kick and he stroked the ball past Morton.
At the other end Zaniewski made a great one handed save to keep the lead intact and shortly after the keeper made another great block. He nearly blotted his copy book however when his poor throw out was picked up by Curtis Mann who raced through but the keeper made a great save to force the effort for a corner.
The visitors were level on 37 minutes when Zaniewski blocked two opposing players but the loose ball fell to one of them, Jason Stokes, who whilst laid on the ground managed to clip the ball into the far corner of goal.
Welfare were lucky a minute later when a free kick was headed onto the home cross bar by Lee Holmes.
The home side had a strong penalty shout turned down after Horbury was brought down, but on the stroke of half time Carr was bundled over by Lee Betts and Glavin hit the resulting penalty home.
The second half opened with Carr firing a trade mark vicious free kick inches over the bar.
Holmes tested Zaniewski with a low shot but welfare were three up on 61 minutes after good work by Oldham down the left. He fed Carr whose shot was blocked but the rebound fell to Horbury fifteen yards out and he fired past the unsighted Morton.
Carr then missed a simple header with only Morton to beat and Glavin fired an effort over the bar when a goal looked certain. However a few minutes later Glavin blasted his second penalty home after substitute Jamie Simpson was fouled by Morton on the edge of the penalty area.
Welfare got their fifth on 80 minutes when Horbury latched onto a ball from the left turning once and then firing high past Morton into the top corner.
In the closing seconds Horbury could have had his third but his shot went inches wide of the far post.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Darren Homes
“Job done today In really difficult conditions the lads battled hard against a very dangerous Rossington team that still had a glimmer of hope of reaching the play-offs. They came and had a real go today especially in the first half and we rode our luck a couple of times and didn’t really play the conditions very well.
“The second half we did a professional job taking the game to Rossington and we totally dominated. We got our rewards .Some excellent finishing and a solid team performance. Very impressive in the second half and we need to take that into Tuesday and keep the pressure on the teams around us.
“It feels good to be in the top six and the lads will be fighting to stay there right to the wire.”
The Teams
Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Marsh (Horn), Kay, Akeister, Pashley, Walsh, Oldham, Glavin (Hunter), Horbury, Carr (Simpson), Wilshire. Subs unused: Rollinson, Ferguson.
Rossington Main: Morton, Kay, Billam, Linley, Carrick, Gibbons, Mann, Holmes, Caygil (Crook), Stokes, Betts.
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.