Toolstation NCEL Division One
Glasshoughton Welfare 3-3 Rossington Main
Glasshoughton Welfare and Ben Hunter’s Rossington Main warmed the frozen people watching by serving up a goal-fest at Leeds Road.
Ten man Glasshoughton took the lead twice in a game that saw four goals scored in just eight second half minutes – ending with Danny Deakin’s equaliser for Rossington to make it 3-3.
The home side, who had Fidel Mholo sent off with 20 minutes remaining, were clinging on for near life at the end as surprise package Rossington turned the screw in search of the winner.
All in all it was a solid point for Glasshoughton who would have surely taken a point before kick off.
For most of the contest, it was a good performance from them.
They stifled Rossington in the opening exchanges by pressing high up to prevent their visitors from being able to successfully play their unique brand of football.
The 12th minute opener from Carl Robinson – who slid the ball home from close range – was arguably deserved too.
Rossington hit back through a penalty later on in the first half.
Glasshoughton captain Adam Walsh failed to clear his lines and inadvertently blasted the ball at the legs of Rosso attacker Manny Kianga.
Walsh was then deemed to have fouled Kianga who had broke into the penalty area.
Tyla Bell buried the spot kick and Rosso seemingly took command in the 50th minute.
Welfare tried to play out from the back and ultimately the ball came straight back and the visitors’ attack climaxed with Deakin sending a lovely first-time shot from outside the area into the top corner.
Glasshoughton’s response was exceptional as they were back ahead inside four minutes .
Lewis Stephens and Jamie Simpson linked well – although the latter may have used his hand in the build-up.
Young forward Stephens received the ball and sent a low effort into the bottom corner from 18-yards.
The exact same part of the net was soon bulging again as from a little further out Dylan Drovi caught Rossington out with his effort.
The lead lasted the same amount of time it took Glasshoughton to score twice.
Rossington then laid siege to the home goal and the warning signs had been there when Kianga broke down the left and forced a terrific save from Sam Riches.
Rossington came back for more and the bow was soon broken.
Bell was denied by Riches and again, then by a brilliant block by the returning James Dyson when the ball came back across goal.
Glasshoughton though could not get it clear and eventually Deakin smashed it home.
Tempers then boiled over and the resulting five-minute breather took the sting out of the game.
Play carried on from a dodgy challenge on Stephens went unpunished and on the halfway line Kianga went down after a stray arm from Mholo caught him in the face.
Mholo walked for a second yellow while Rossington defender Greg Young was sin-binned for his part in the heavy protests after Kianga went down.
The home side have thank injured goalkeeper Riches for securing a point.
The stopper made a string of saves in the last ten minutes and there was also a goal-saving block on the goal-line by one Glasshoughton defender plus a goal-saving tackle from young Matt Cunliffe.
The Teams
Glasshoughton Welfare: Riches, Mholo, Cunliffe, Robinson (Nelson 77), Walsh (captain), Dyson, Simpson, Fish, Stephens, Drovi, Chippendale (Lalousis 68). Subs unused: Hayton, Bell, Milner.
Rossington Main: Budtz, Harrison, Buckham (Stokes 77), Conway (captain) (Handley 90), Green, Young, Sherburn, Slater, Kianga (S Mundy 81). Subs unused: Wharton, G Mundy.
Who Was In Charge
Umar Ahmed (7/10)
How Many Were There
81
Man of the Match
Sam Riches (Glasshoughton Welfare)