Toolstation NCEL Division One
Worsbrough Bridge 5-2 FC Humber United
Worsbrough Bridge brutally walloped FC Humber United to continue their perfect start and send their visitors crashing back down to earth.
Worsbrough destroyed Humber from start to finish and were totally dominant, subjecting Mark Maspero’s young men to a constant waves after waves of dangerous attacks.
The truth is Bridge could have scored eight or nine after racing into an early two-goal lead through Luke Francis and Callum Walton.
Two second half Conor Glavin penalties and a Mike Jepps tap-in took Worsbrough’s tally to five.
The only blot on the landscape for Luke Forgione was the gifting of two needless goals to Humber who finished with ten men as Tom Micklewaite-Charles saw red after handling on the line before the first spot kick.
But the positives for Worsbrough were all there to be seen.
Bright young manager Forgione has certainly brought back memories of the Chris Hilton era by making Worsbrough hard to beat – as pre-season and the opening two league games testify.
Even the crowd of an astonishing 255 was almost a throwback to the days when Forgione was part of the Hilton Worsbrough squad who shocked Shaw Lane Aquaforce in front of a packed Park Road crowd.
Given Worsbrough’s points-per-game ratio for the two curtailed campaigns was 0.78, Forgione has overseen a remarkable upturn in fortunes in a short space of time.
But the latest win almost handed to them on a plate as Humber, whose 7-1 opening day victory over Dronfield Town stunned the whole league, contributed to their own downfall.
The fifth minute mark came and a terribly taken throw-in led to Francis rounding goalkeeper Aidan Smith and scoring into the empty net.
Worsbrough had not even broken sweat.
That triggered an epic siege which went on for a lengthy period.
Worsbrough hit the crossbar and had at least three goal-bound shots blocked in different moments.
Francis also volleyed one over and teenage starlet Harley Holt had an effort pushed away from danger.
Ex-Handsworth attacker Walton’s goal was a smart one as he bent a nice low finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the penalty area.
Only 15 minutes had gone but you sensed it was game-over.
Like rain, the chances continued to pour on Humber.
Glavin missed a sitter in the middle of further Worsbrough shooting spree.
The only disappointment Worsbrough could have was not being more than 2-0 up at half-time.
However, they didn’t have to wait long for the third.
Humber started the second half in miserable fashion like the first.
Francis almost grabbed his second but his effort was saved. The ball ricocheted out to the edge of the penalty area and captain Glavin sent it hurtling towards goal.
His glory was prevented by the hand of defender Micklewaite-Charles who was then deservedly sent on his way.
Expert penalty taker Glavin made no mistake from the spot.
Against the run of play Humber pulled one back on the hour.
An error from Maxim Hague allowed substitute Eddy Wileman to cross for former Selby Town striker Louis Blackwell to reduce the deficit.
That was a very brief ray of sunshine for Humber who soon conceded again during a frantic ten seconds.
Glavin’s free kick hit the left-hand-post, leading to chaos in the Humber penalty area.
Substitute Alex Hutchinson pounced and hit the crossbar – fortunately it landed to fox in the box Jepps who couldn’t miss.
Holt showed how good he is with a mazy run which ended with him being denied a deserved goal by a last-ditch goal-line clearance.
The pursuit of the fifth goal ended with a penalty.
Jepps was the man felled and Glavin went for power rather than placement on this occasion.
A close range Brandon Burke goal brought the score-line to a more respectable level in the closing stages but it didn’t hide a night to forget for Humber.
For Worsbrough, they’re looking up and smiling again.
What They Said
Worsbrough Bridge manager Luke Forgione
“If we’re being honest we could have been four or five up after the first 15 minutes.
“I think most people would agree.
“It wouldn’t have flattered us if we had got more than that in the first half.
“We created opportunities in the second half and could have got more.
“It was a very good performance and I think we controlled the game from the beginning and we got on the front-foot straightaway.
“We conceded sloppy goals and I’m always wanting perfection so that is disappointing but can I really complain?”
FC Humber United manager Mark Maspero
“We have had a long discussion in (the changing room).
“We have got quite a young team who don’t have a lot of experience at this level and I think they got found out physically more than anything.
“I think they got a lesson on how to run off the ball.
“We could have been five or six down in the first half.
“We have to look at ourselves. Was it because of how we warmed up? Could we do better preparing them?
“Did a few of them freeze in front of a big crowd? They’re not used to playing in front of crowds of more than ten or 15.”
The Teams
Worsbrough Bridge: Pritchard, Smith, Hague, Glavin (captain), Wilson, O’Connor, Holt, Donoghue, Francis (Jepps 85), Wordsworth (Hutchinson 64), Walton (Dodsworth 73). Subs unused: Wildblood, Semley.
FC Humber United: Smith, Watson, Mulligan (captain) (Skill HT), Phillips, Micklewaite-Charles, Allen, Hallows (Wileman HT), Hall, Blackwell, Burke, Baxter (Gascoigne 52). Subs unused: Barton.
Who Was In Charge
Phillip Morton (8/10)
How Many Were There
255
Man of the Match
Callum Walton (Worsbrough Bridge)
