Toolstation NCEL Division One
Retford United 0-2 Glasshoughton Welfare
James Dyson scored a crucial goal for Glasshoughton
Surprise package Glasshoughton Welfare will go into their final game of the season with a very good chance of claiming sixth place after victory at Retford United.
Darren Holmes and Lee Vigars’ are in the driving seat currently, but Hallam will nick it if they win all three of their remaining matches. One defeat would gift it to Welfare though.
Welfare basically dominated the game but, as in previous games, they failed to convert a number of chances. Maybe if the Retford centre forward Zac Casburn and colleague Richard Williams had their shooting boots on, Welfare may well have been lucky to take a point.
Goals from James Dyson and Ryan Ferguson sealed the win.
Due to injuries and a suspension welfare were forced into changes. Andy Horbury and Conor Glavin were missing through injury, although Horbury was amongst the substitutes. Tom Carr was suspended so Jamie Simpson came into the side. Dyson kept his place up front. Adam Walsh returned after suspension.
On a bumpy pitch and with the wind swirling across the ground Welfare opened well with Simpson feeding Ferguson. The Welfare player could not control the ball and James Gamble pounced to collect. Dyson weaved his way past a number of players going towards goal but then prodded the ball out of play.
James Kay then saw his dangerous cross headed away for a corner by the overworked home defence as chances came and went for welfare.
Gamble did well to turn a 25 yard Rob Oldham shot for a corner. The ‘keeper then foiled Simpson with his feet as it looked as though a goal was imminent, and then Simpson headed a Alex Marsh cross just wide. Oldham, with a cross, then found Ferguson unmarked at the far post but he volleyed inches wide.
The Welfare pressure proved too much for the home side on 27 minutes when a Kay low cross was fumbled by Gamble and Dyson forced the loose ball home.
Shortly after the home side had a couple of chances. Casburn headed a Callum Littlejohn free kick into the arms of Zaniewski and then Casburn fired into the side netting after breaking through on the right.
Welfare went two up a couple of minutes after the half time break when Simpson did well to slip his marker in the penalty area. He squared the ball to Ferguson ten yards out and knocked the ball home.
Welfare then seemed to sit back and Retford, hardly looking like a relegated side, certainly did not. Williams broke through and only the feet of Zaniewski saved Welfare from conceding.
At the other end, Welfare saw the ball pinging around the area and Gamble saved at the feet of Dyson. Oldham chipped a ball to Simpson 18 yards out and his first time volley went inches over the bar. Simpson was twice upended as he went through on goal but sadly the resulting free kicks were hit well over the home bar.
Casburn then shot wide before he was foiled by a great block when one on one with Zaniewski, The big keeper then did well to smother a Littlejohn shot that came in low through a crowd of players. Substitute Tom Brand then fired just over the welfare bar.
The game had been quite a feisty affair and after an altercation involving several players it was sad to see a home supporter enter the Welfare dugout castigating people there just before the final whistle.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Darren Holmes
“Not our best performance today but very difficult when it’s near the end of the season and the team is affected with suspensions and injuries to keep momentum going.
“Retford had nothing to lose and made it difficult for us all afternoon .We did create some very good chances but again struggled to convert and kill the game .On a better day we win 4 or 5 but credit to Retford they stuck at it and Matt in goal made a couple of great saves..
“At the end of the day job done three points and keeps the chasing pack needing wins to catch us.
“We will be working on a few things in training this week and hope to be back to full strength week on Monday for our must win last game away at Worsbrough.”
The Team
Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Marsh, Kay (Horn), Hunter, Pashley, Walsh, Ferguson, Dyson (Wilshire), Simpson, Oldham. Subs unused: Rollinson, Hullock, Horbury.