Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby Town 2-4 Glasshoughton Welfare
Young prodigy Lewis Stephens stunningly scored all FOUR goals for Glasshoughton Welfare in their fine win at promotion-chasing Selby Town.
He’ll never forget this game but if he goes onto be a Non League star then Tuesday 28th September 2021 will be remembered as the night when he truly burst on the scene.
Stephens, who was playing for Horbury Town in the West Yorkshire League before playing for Nostell Miners Welfare last year, was absolutely brilliant and could have easily added to his four goal tally.
Selby enjoyed two early waves of pressure – one which saw defender Blake Drury head against the post.
But after that this was Glasshoughton’s night.
They were excellent across the pitch – disciplined, organised, strong team spirit and always sticking to their strengths.
These are the key traits that have served Welfare well since 2016 and maintained them as a more than competitive team in the NCEL.
Welfare stole the march on their hosts in the 23rd minute.
Recent signing Josh Whiteley, another one from Horbury, leapt and headed against the crossbar.
The ball landed at the feet Dylan Drovi and he pinged the ball into six-yard-box where Stephens turned it home.
He nearly scored straight after but the shot was saved.
The second goal was a beauty from Glasshoughton’s perspective but poor defending from Selby’s.
Inside the penalty area Stephens toyed with Harry Sheppard before getting past him.
He went past another defender before curling an effort into the top corner.
Selby’s form this season suggested a second half comeback as they have won several games from losing positions – especially at home.
Their hopes appeared promising straight after the break as Flynn McNaughton jinxed his way down the right before blasting the ball low and hard into the net from close range.
But the revival was short-lived – 60 seconds to be precise.
Stephen secured the match-ball for himself with a low drive to restore the two-goal lead.
Fast forward a further two minutes and Glasshoughton scored their fourth and the third goal of six second half minutes.
There was a suggestion of a foul as goalkeeper Dylan Parkin spilled a right-wing cross under pressure – allowing Stephens to tap in his fourth into the open goal.
A clearly-hurt Parkin needed five minutes of treatment before the game restarted.
The fourth finished Selby off despite captain Ryan Gothard breathing a bit of life back into them for the final half-hour with a finish from a corner.
It didn’t inspire a flurry of chances – Glasshoughton were actually more dangerous as Parkin had to make two brilliant saves to keep the score down.
The first in a trilogy of major tests against the big guns – with North Ferriby and Hallam to come – Glasshoughton have passed this one with flying colours.
The Teams
Selby Town: Parkin, Sheppard, Sellers, Clamp, Gothard (captain), Drury, Ward, Rogerson, Flanagan, Clapham, McNaughton. Subs: Klimczak, Snaith, Davison, Lawman, Vass.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Riches, Mhlolo, Cunliffe, Hayton, Walsh (captain), Gray, Stephens, Nelson, Whiteley, Chippendale, Drovi. Subs: Lalousis, Robinson, Milner, Bell.
Who Was In Charge
Trevor Beck (7/10)
How Many Were There
166
Man of the Match
Lewis Stephens (Glasshoughton Welfare)