Hillmen end 2013 on high after Abbey win

Abbey Hey 1, Glossop North End 3
NWCFL Premier Division

Match Report: Stewart Taylor
Pictures: Jim Lockwood

Boxing Day saw the return of the Hillmen to the Abbey Stadium for the first match between these two near neighbours for several years. Abbey Hey, having been promoted to the NWCFL Premier Division after a successful campaign in the First Division last year, have experienced mixed fortunes this season. With GNE on an impressive run of form throughout December, the travelling support were hopeful of a continuation and, on a cold afternoon, they were not disappointed.

The visitors started quickly and the first chance fell in the opening minute as Sam Madeley was put through on goal but his effort was saved by the feet of ex-Hillman goalkeeper Jon McIlwaine. GNE continued to press forward but it was the home side who opened the scoring in the 11^th minute as the GNE defence were wrong footed by a dummy by Johnathan Hardy to allow Tom Murray to steer his shot wide of Andrew Jones.

This set back encouraged the Hillmen to greater efforts and with some good passing in midfield they began to dominate the play. Tom Bailey had a chance on 20 minutes having been put through by Sam Madeley. Bailey beat Abbey defender Kieran Burywood twice before finding space for a shot which went just the wrong side of McIlwaine’s left hand post. The reward for some positive play came on 34 minutes as Madeley latched on to a ball headed forward by Nick Allen to lash the ball into the net from close range.

GNE were having their best spell of the match and as half time approached a fine shot by Bailey eluded McIlwaine and found the top corner of the net to end what had become something of a goal drought for the Hillman striker. There was still time for further efforts by Allen and Dave Young before the half time whistle took the players back to the changing rooms with the visitors holding a well deserved advantage.

The second half started with something of a midfield battle with no real chances on goal made by either side. The Hillmen’s passing game seemed to have deserted them and the game went very flat. Bailey had the first opportunity to add to the GNE lead on 64 minutes but his left foot shot was well saved down to his left by McIlwaine. Manager Chris Willcock tried to do his part in livening up proceedings by making a triple substitution on 72 minutes with Kyle Riley, Kieran Lugsden and Lee Blackshaw replacing Madeley, Bailey and Andy Kilheeney. This move was almost rewarded within two minutes as Riley was strong enough in the Abbey Hey box to fashion a shooting chance but his shot went straight to McIlwaine who saved easily.

The home side were creating very little and it was no surprise when GNE extended their lead in the 77^th minute although the manner of the goal was a little unusual. Sam Hare took an inswinging corner from the left hand side and the ball went straight into the Abbey Hey net by the near post with McIlwaine late to arrive on the scene. The home side then had their best spell of the match with a number of scares at the GNE end but half chances came to nothing.

A satisfactory result to conclude an unbeaten December for the Hillmen with plenty to look forward to when the action starts again with the visit to Surrey Street of BarnoldswickTown on January 4^th.

GNE: Jones, Byrne, Russell, Kelvin Lugsden, Young, Smith, Allen, Kilheeney (Blackshaw), Bailey (Riley), Hare, Madeley (Kieran Lugsden).