Hillmen Blown Off Course by Late Equaliser

Match Report: Jonathan Haggart

Before kick off this would have looked a decent result but in hindsight, having bossed the game for the majority of the game, a draw felt like a defeat to North End’s players and supporters.  It will take a little time before they take to any pleasure from the way they played.

In the first half North End were quick out of the blocks, without really providing a final ball that created a clear cut opening to score.  Indeed, Andrew Jones in Glossop’s goal made the two notable saves of the half, in what were rare Road forays into the Hillmen half, having to dive full length to deny Henderson.

Kieran Lugsden had gone closest for North End, flashing a shot from a tight angle across the face of goal and again when his cross-cum-shot was pushed onto the bar by Hall in the Road goal and Nick Allen was just beaten to the follow up.

Over the break the wind really picked up, and would seem to be about to favour the home side, but North End were undeterred.  They came out of the dressing room with renewed vigour, and added creativity at the business end to their excellent play outside the box.

They forced a corner in each of the first 3 minutes of the half, one after Lugsden’s smart turn and shot was blocked, and in the 3^rd minute should have had a penalty when Tom Bailey played a ball inside for Sam Madeley and the striker was felled as he tried to shoot, but the referee said ‘no’.

On 51 minutes a curved ball deceived the back four and Lugsden was one on one with the keeper, but his effort was blocked by Hall’s left foot but on 58 minutes Hall’s intervention was less legal.

Lugsden again got behind the defence and whilst his shot was blocked by Hall the ball squirmed behind the keeper giving Lugsden the simple task of tapping home from a couple of yards, only for Hall to wrap his arms around the Glossop striker and bring him down.  As clear a penalty as you will see and as clear a red card for denial of a goal scoring opportunity you will see.  Except the referee decided to show Hall only a yellow card.  It was an amazing escape and all around the ground were still dazed with incredulity as Sam Hare stepped up and a least netted the spot kick to give North End a deserved lead.

Things started to turn at around 70 minutes, as the wind and tired legs started to tell and Road finally exerted some pressure.  There weren’t many shots on goal, it was just North End were getting deeper and allowing the home side to get on top.

But in the 41^st minute the equaliser came in freak circumstances.  Glossop looked to clear their lines and attempted a blast upfield, only for the ball to cannon into Doherty and ricochet into the net.  It was cruel on the Hillmen but could have been worse but for Jones’ save at the near post in the last minute.  A defeat would have been too much to bear.

GNE: Jones, Byrne, Russell, Young, Lugsden (Kelvin), Allen, Kilheeney, Bailey, Hare, Madeley, Lugsden (Kieran)​