Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 2-1 Eccleshill United
Del Pollock celebrates his first half equaliser with Kris Fawcett (left)
Del Pollock was the hero for Glasshoughton Welfare after scoring the winner with just three minutes left against ten man Eccleshill United.
The result continues the magnificent turnaround that Simon Houghton and Craig Wilkinson have engineered since December. Welfare have now won six, drawn three and lost three out of the 12 league games that the pair have overseen – turning them from relegation candidates to a solid mid-table side.
Welfare had to dig deep for their latest victory as Luke Harrop gave Eccleshill an early lead. Pollock cancelled that goal out and a draw seemed inevitable.
Eccleshill defender Jermaine Springer’s second yellow card for an x-rated lunge on Lucas Middleton was a pivotal moment, especially when Pollock struck the fatal blow in a position that the defender may have occupied.
Pollock was a constant menace for Eccleshill’s defence in a game that the visitors dominated at the beginning. Glasshoughton didn’t acclimatise to the bumpy pitch and were the orchestrators of their own downfall for the opener.
New Welfare goalkeeper Mark Suttle’s started the chain of events as his goal kick came straight back at them. He raced out to try and rescue the situation, but Charlie Flaherty nipped in and passed to Harrop, who had a simple tap-in.
Glasshoughton responded with their main weapon Pollock who looked dangerous every-time the ball was launched over Eccleshill centre-halves Springer and Ash Slater. The pair looked uncomfortable at times and Pollock got in behind them a few times. A different referee may have dismissed Springer in the first half after he hauled Pollock down 30-yards from goal, minutes before the striker did eventually grab the equaliser with a fine close range strike.
Luke Harrop celebrates his goal with Charlie Flaherty
Del Pollock equalises for Glasshoughton
Glasshoughton managerial duo Simon Houghton and Craig Wilkinson have won six of their 12 games in charge
Adam Walsh tackles Eccleshill forward Luke Harrop
Jermaine Springer did not even wait to see referee Wayne Cooper’s red card
Tom Coyles takes on Luke Harrop as Glasshoughton search for the winner
Del Pollock did not force the winner here
But he was on hand to convert Ryan Poskitt’s cross
There was not much in it for a long period. Suttle did his job in an early bit of the second half by tipping Jarrad Peltier’s goal-bound strike onto the crossbar.
Glasshoughton upped the ante by throwing on vast experience in Ryan Poskitt and Andy Seed, the latter managing to last longer than 36 seconds this week.
Certainly down the left-side Glasshoughton were a threat and it was an attack down that wing that drew Springer’s wild challenge on the sprinting youngster Middleton. Knowing the red card was coming, the loyal defender did not even wait for referee Wayne Cooper to show it.
Welfare kept pressing for the winner and Poskitt superbly crossed for Pollock to slide the ball home and guide his side above Eccleshill in the table.
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Simon Houghton:
Eccleshill United manager Sean Regan:
Glasshoughton Welfare: Suttle, Coyles, Middleton (Brearley 79), Walsh, Cusworth, Akeister, Rollinson (Seed 63), Hunter (captain), Pollock, Fawcett (Poskitt 63), Morley. Sub unused: Scothern,
Eccleshill United: Stead, Catley, Harper, Cooper (captain), Springer, Slater, Smith (Patel 81), Peltier, Shah (Metcalfe 71), Harrop, Flaherty. Sub unused: Preston
Referee: Wayne Cooper
Ref Rating: 5/10
Attendance: 65
Man of the match: Del Pollock (Glasshoughton Welfare)