Toolstation NCEL Division One
Hall Road Rangers 3-2 Glasshoughton Welfare
Scott Phillips peels away after scoring the winner for Hall Road Rangers against Glasshoughton. Picture: Lee Myers
Headline signing Scott Phillips scored the last minute winner to give Dave Ricardo the perfect start as manager of Hall Road Rangers at a sun baked Haworth Park.
James Piercy had opened the scoring for Hall Road in the first half. Glasshoughton drew level thanks to Richard Collier before Phillips scored a spectacular overhead kick.
Welfare levelled again through Nathan Keightley, but Hall Road had the last word when Phillips won it at the death.
Joint Welfare managers Darren Holmes and Lee Vigars gave nine new players their league debuts for the club with only Lewis Akeister and Mike Brearley starting from last seasons team. Hall Road also had several players making their bows.
Welfare were on the back foot in the opening few minutes, but home keeper Jody Barford made a great save from an Adam Hayton free kick.
The Welfare defence seemed to have a lack of communication in the first quarter and they were lucky not to go behind after a couple of Hall Road attacks.
The home team took the lead on 20 minutes when a free kick was floated in and the ball struck Piercy and looped into the net.
Welfare opened the second half well forcing an early corner and Keightley flashed a shot across goal.
They equalised on 56 minutes when the impressive Andy McManus played a great ball out to the left. It was met by Collier who hit a first time shot that Barford got a hand to but the pace of the shot saw it roll into the net.
Welfare were looking good and Callum Harrison fizzed a shot just wide of the far post before Keightley broke free but his shot went just over the bar. Substitute Jermaine Moyce also saw a header just clear the bar.
Glasshoughton conceded again on 75 minutes when a ball from the left found ex Scarborough striker Philips 10 yards out and the static defence allowed him an overhead kick which beat Dan Waring.
Welfare came back and Collier shot wide before Keightley equalised on 80 minutes latching onto a great ball from McManus. The diminutive player beat Barford to the ball and lobbed home.
Chances fell to both sides in the last minutes and only a great goal line clearance from Brad Kilner saved welfare after Waring missed a cross. However, once again poor Welfare defending saw the ball knocked to the far post and with virtually the last kick, Philips hit the ball home to seal the win.
What They Said
Hall Road Rangers manager Dave Ricardo
“Today’s win was a relief if I’m honest as both the players and coaching staff have worked with great quality and effort throughout pre season and the first three points is always good to get.
“We missed a number of players including captain Ash Dexter, influential midfielders Alex Sherwood, Tom Bennett, and defender Will Ramsey as well as Jamie Forrester who played in our win against Bottesford last week.
“Phillips showed his goal scoring ability which is going to be a huge asset throughout the campaign.”
Glasshoughton Welfare joint manager Darren Holmes
“Their were lots of positives today and it was disappointing because we think highly of ourselves. Hall Road dominated the first half but we took the game to them in the second half and were more positive.
“The lads worked hard and with a bit more luck in front of goal the result would have been different. The lads worked hard, battled and deserved a draw.”
The Teams
Hall Road Rangers: Barford, Walsh, Binns, Piercy, Mortimer, Belcher, Norton, Vernon, Philips, Spinks, Muirhead. Subs: Reeson, C. Mortimer, Cooper, Brown.
Glasshoughton Welfare: Waring, Harrison, Brearley, Hayton, Kilner, McManus, Keightley. Akeister, Horbury, Maude, Collier. Subs: Kellett, Moyce, Varley, Jenkins, Holland.
Who Was In Charge
Ryan Lowe
How Many Were There
78
Thanks to Garry Mollon for this report