GNE Response Delights Fans
Glossop North End bounced back from a couple of poor results, first showing their resilience, and then their forward thrust with an impressive win over an in-form side.
The weather was the talking point of the first half, with a strong wind throughout, and frequent bouts of driving snow that swiftly turned the surrounding hills from green to white. The wind and snow was behind the Lancaster backs, and from the off it looked like this would be a game of two halves, highlighted when Luke Pilling’s goal kick landed turned back towards his goal in mid-air.
Indeed, Pilling was nearly fooled by the swirl in the 12th minute when a ball was punted forward. He had to let the ball bounce before he collected it, and ball sailed over his head, fortunately landing wide of the post.
On the quarter hour full-back Gavin Clark was given space to run from halfway and Pilling saved well. From the corner there was a goalmouth scramble, the ball hit goalwards, but Matt Russell cleared off the post.
Glossop were trying to play football to get out of their half and release the pressure, and it began to work, Jamie Rainford and Tom Bailey shooting over, but linking up well for both chances. Meanwhile the defence stood firm, restricting the Dolly Blues to just one further chance, deep into injury time, when Craig Cairney crossed for Zach Clark. The striker directed his free header across goal, but wide of the far post. He should have netted.
The Hillmen would have been pleased to get to half time at 0-0, and hope to pile on the pressure in the second half. And although the weather became calming, pile on the pressure they did. Bailey had a header saved, to be followed by successive corners, leading to the breakthrough. A Rainford header was cleared, the ball falling to Kieran Lugsden outside the area. Lugsden travelled parallel to the edge of the box looking for a shot, couldn’t find and opening and instead spread the play right to Bailey. Bailey swung a cross into the middle and found an unmarked Astley Mulholland, who headed into the corner.
The second goal game just four minutes later. This time Rainford got in on the right side and, seeing he only had a shot from a very acute angle, unselfishly squared the ball to Mulholland. Mulholland completely missed his kick and scuffed the ball the ball left but straight into Bailey’s path, and he drove home through the goalkeeper’s dive.
Glossop were now dominant, and Rainford’s low curling shot was pushed wide, with Martyn Andrews’ looping header just pushed over from the corner. They finally sealed the game with 11 minutes to go, and it was a lovely team goal.
The ball was won in midfield, and substitute debutant John Dillon showed some impressive ball control to beat his man. He spread the ball right to Jason Carey, who’s deep cross was headed down by Bailey into Lugsden’s path to net from 6 yards out.
Lancaster didn’t give up, and as Glossop North End relaxed Danny Carlton topped a nice move on their part by finishing well running onto a pass into the box. However, they had been beaten by a good team performance by the Hillmen, with all areas of the pitch contributing to the victory
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