Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 7-0 East Hull
Birthday boy Nathan Perks stole the headlines with four second half goals – including his 50th in a Glasshoughton Welfare jersey – as Darren Holmes and Lee Vigars smashed East Hull to go into the enforced break on a major high.
The Welfare joint managers may have spent the early hours leaving messages for Boris Johnson asking him to delay the lockdown for a few weeks so they carry on their recent momentum.
Resurgent Welfare extended their unbeaten run to three games in a dominant performance which arguably have been far greater score-line. The seven goal battering was also the club’s biggest winning margin since the magical Craig Elliott era when Grimsby Borough were hammered 9-1 in April 2012.
Welfare were already home and hosed by the time Perks – scoring for the first time since his homecoming from Pickering Town – staged his own man show with four goals in 18 minutes late in the second half.
Crisis-hit Hull, who are having to play home games at Goole AFC, could not handle Glasshoughton’s pacy attack or nor could they stop some killer passing. But then again several of the goals were almost thrown in because of terrible defending.
Mark Ferguson was Glasshoughton’s first half wonder-maker. His tap-in after just seven minutes set-up a half of attack, attack from Welfare. The chances flowed. Ferguson hit the side-netting, Perks fired wide before a fine pass from Danny Youel allowed the former to score with a smart finish.
It was game-set-and-match when Nicky Lalousis smashed in a cross from the left.
Although Welfare were in control, Hull had lively patches without breaching the home defence. Certainly in early stages of the second half, the visitors had a lot more of the ball. But once as Perks – who scored four against Hull in last season’s 8-2 win – netted his first goal, Hull folded and Welfare became more and more rampant.
Inspirational deputising captain Matt Cunliffe’s intelligent cross from the left was inch perfect for Perks to nod home from close range 20 minutes into the second half.
Within 60 seconds it was five. Hull substitute Liam Mulligan made a meal of things as he turned on the ball 20-yards from goal and Perks nipped in and sent it into the top corner.
A delightful lob completed his hat-trick and the fourth and Welfare’s seventh came from a simple finish after Hull’s goalkeeper had spilled a free kick.
The Teams
Glasshoughton Welfare: Riches, Lalousis, Cunliffe (captain), Corbett, Hughes, Gray, Ferguson, Youel, Glavin, Perks, Bell. Subs: Pickering, Mhlolo, Tonkinson, Horbury.
East Hull: Hill, Knowles, Vickers, Nichols, Giblin, Nzayadio, Aydemir, Roper, Scott, Harrison, Ward. Subs: Whiting, Kashilembo, Mulligan, Mitchell, Overton.
Who Was In Charge
Mark Findlay (8/10)
An illuminating performance from young Mr Findlay who ensured the whole crowd knew his whereabouts due a yellow swimming armband or bouncers’ badge acting as a personal spotlight on one of his arms.
How Many Were There
120
Man of the Match
Mark Ferguson (Glasshoughton Welfare)