Glossop North End

5

Harrogate Railway Athletic

1

HT: 1 - 0

Glossop Victory Over The Rail Is Just The Ticket

The Hillmen kept up their play-off push with a victory that was eventually convincing on Saturday, although they were made to work very hard for an hour by their lowly opponents.

The first half was largely forgettable, with Glossop having most of the possession, but the final ball too often letting them down.

There were few chances, although the Hillmen did emerge with the lead through Jamie Rainford’s 29th minute goal – his 21st of the season. Glossop North End had a free kick on halfway that was lifted into the box. Dave Young headed it across goal into the 6 yard box. The goalkeeper stranded himself, unable to make an effective punch, the ball went almost straight up in the air, and Rainford guided it over the line.

The second half was much livelier, and began with the goalkeeper Tom Goodwin being caught off his line again, this time after flunking a kicked clearance. The ball fell to Astley Mulholland, who shot low towards goal, only for the ball to get caught up in Goodwin’s feet. He could only watch helplessly as the ball ricocheted goalwards, and with relief as it just went wide for a corner.

The Rail forced a couple of corners in succession, but nothing really came from them, whilst Rainford saw a poked shot after a 1-2 with Tom Bailey trickle wide and a curling shot well pushed wide by Goodwin.

The game was effectively sealed on 69 minutes when Kieran Lugsden was brought down inside the box. Dave Young stepped up and despatched the penalty.

Like all good strikers, Rainford had wanted the spot kick, and channelled his disappointment in not being able to take it into working hard to create further opportunities. This led to the third goal on 72 minutes when he shot on an angle to the far post, only for the keeper to push the ball away, straight into the path of substitute Ben Richardson, who tapped in.

The fourth goal came from a Glossop corner (a Rainford shot deflected wide) when the ball was played short to Mulholland, and his shot/pass from the corner of the box was dummied by Jason Carey. It fooled everyone, and the ball nestled into the bottom corner.

Harrogate Railway Athletic sub Daniel Barrett notched a consolation in the 85th minute, taking advantage of defensive hesitation, but Glossop still had time to bag again. This time Carey crossed, and there was a neat interchange between Richardson, Rainford and finally Mulholland, who scored from just left of the penalty spot.