It was just one of those days. Glossop North End had the ball in the net three times, only for the referee’s whistle to rule each goal out. They hit the bar twice. They even missed a penalty. The suspicion is that it was simply an occasion where had they played until it went dark they wouldn’t have scored.
Glossop North End 0, Abbey Hey 0
NWCFL Premier Division
Match Report: Jonathan Haggart
Pictures: Jim Lockwood
They also had to deal with a very determined Abbey Hey side, battling against the drop, and this point could be vital come the seasons end at 4.45pm this coming Saturday.
Glossop bossed first half possession, and Greg Hall was untroubled in the North End goal. The same cannot be said for the Abbey custodian, former Hillman Jonny McIlwaine.
He had to pick the ball out of the net in the 6th minute when Kyle Riley simply seemed to outmuscle a centre half to head home from 12 yards, but the referee thought otherwise and disallowed the effort for a foul. Meanwhile three times the ball was drilled across the face of goal, but without a touch from a striker.
There was a gilt edge opportunity in the 22nd minute though when Riley was felled in the box. Sam Hare stepped up for the spot kick but hit it at a nice height for McIlwaine to make a save, diving to his right.
On 35 minutes Adam Kay launched a wicked dipping shot from 25 yards that cannoned off the bar to safety whilst Malkin’s angled shot was half stopped, dribbled towards goal, but was cleared before it reached the line.
The visitors got much more of a foothold in the game in the second half and as a result the game was much more even, but much less open. Wes Hainey shot from 25 yards for Abbey early on, the ball dipping just over, but chances were scant.
Kyle Riley challenges twice forced the ball over the line, but on both occasions fouls were given for pushing McIlwaine, and on both occasions the referee was probably correct.
There was very little of note in the half. For Abbey a brave Jack Mason header was just wide, and as time ran out Matt Russell – Glossop’s Matt Russell – forced a superb save from Hall as his interception inadvertently rocketed towards his own goal. At the other end North End worked hard to create openings, but they could not create a clear cut opportunity. There were half or even quarter chances, but they came to nothing as their dogged opponents held firm.
North End now have two games to end the season. On Saturday, newly crowned NWCFL Champions Norton United visit Surrey Street then on Tuesday the Hillmen travel to Alfreton for the Derbyshire Senior Cup final vs Ilkeston FC. The players hope to see you at both these games!
Glossop North End: Hall, Richardson (Young), Russell, Kelvin Lugsden, Adams, Kay, Byrne, Kilheeney, Malkin (Kieran Lugsden), Hare, Riley (Blackshaw).
Attendance: 250
