Toolstation NCEL Division One
Dronfield Town 0-1 Glasshoughton Welfare
Scott Brown scored the winner for Glasshoughton on his debut
Debutant and super-sub Scott Brown was the hero as Glasshoughton Welfare impressively ended Dronfield Town’s nine-match unbeaten run.
A headed second half goal from Brown was all that separated the two sides. Welfare had their top goalkeeper Mat Zaniewski to thank as he made a string of top saves, and oozed confidence when dealing with high balls.
Both sides had good chances to score goals but the welfare back four were strong all of the game and were well led by captain Gareth Hunter and man of the match Sam Pashley. They were ably supported by Mathew Cunliffe and young Reece Horn. On a great playing surface the opening exchanges were scrappy but Zaniewski did well to block a shot at his near post.
Welfare had a couple of chances on 15 minutes both provided by Matt Semley who fed Gracyan Klimczak in. His shot was blocked and seconds later he looked to have scored with a shot which was parried away by Lewis Naylor.
Klimczak then saw another shot strike the outside of a post with another shot.
At the other end Callum Mawbey saw an effort tipped over by Zaniewski and the resultant corner saw the same player head just wide. Mawbey then tested the Welfare goalkeeper again with a strong shot.
Zaniewski then saved Welfare twice in two minutes, firstly blocking a Sam Bebbington shot with his head and then he somehow managed to divert a goal bound effort with his outstretched foot.
The home side opened the second half with a drive clearing the welfare bar and at the other end Semley saw his weak shot easily gathered by Naylor.
Semley then just failed to get on to the end of a Matt Bowman cross but there was danger for Welfare at the other end as Matty Ord pushed a shot just wide of a post.
Welfare took the lead on 72 minutes when a lovely placed free kick from Ryan Ferguson saw Brown move forward and head powerfully past Naylor from 10 yards.
Welfare went for a second but Bowman shot wide after beating a number of players as he tracked across the edge of the home 18 yard area. Semley then just cleared the home bar with a 30 yard shot.
However as the game came to a close the Welfare defence were under pressure and Zaniewski was forced into two good low saves at the foot of his posts.
What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Darren Holmes
“Very pleased with the overall result today. We wasn’t at our best today but battled very hard for 90 minutes and got rewards. We said before the start that if we keep a clean sheet we will win the game .Our back five were outstanding today. Matt in goal making a couple of outstanding saves and Sam Pashley and Gaz Hunter leading by example.
“We did create a number of chances but not quite our day in the last third today and need to work harder to deliver more quality to the front three.
“Our goal came from a fantastic delivery from Ryan and Scott Brown finished it with a powerful header. Great to get 3 points from a team in the top 4 and keeps us in touch.
“Really looking forward to a good week of cup football this week with the county cup Tuesday at Ossett United and the FA vase away at Shildon.”.
The Team
Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Horn, Cunliffe (Sokol), Knight (Horbury), Pashley, Hunter, Semley, Ferguson, Klimczak, Bowman, Pickering (Brown).
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report.