Saturday 24th August 2013
Glossop North End 5 Wigan Robin Park 0
Clean sheets are amongst the most valued commodities for football managers and coaches and the Hillmen have registered two in a week which has brought 6 league points.
A glance at the result suggests an easy win for GNE and although that was the case, all credit to the visitors who found themselves 4-0 down at half time but did not give the game up and gained respect for making a match of it in the second half. Having said that, there is always a tendency for a side with a big half time lead to take their foot off the gas in the second half and this may well have been a contributory factor in this match.
The Hillmen are showing all the signs of fielding a settled side. A strong defensive unit, still missing captain Lincoln Adams, are combining well with a midfield which is not quite so settled as some players work their way back in following injuries and there are still a couple out with injury. Up front leading scorer Tom Bailey is an ever present both in terms of his time on the pitch and his threat to the opposition.
GNE got off to the best possible start as within the first 3 minutes a ball swung in from the right by Alex Byrne was met by Dave Young who headed in to open the scoring. This set the tone for the half which was dominated by the Hillmen swarming forward at every opportunity. The Robins were restricted to a couple of chances and a penalty shout with GNE indebted to Ben Proctor for a fine save and Kelvin Lugsden who managed to block on the line.
At the other end Nathan Neequaye had a couple of chances early on but it was third time lucky for him on 24 minutes as a flowing move down the left hand side saw interplay between Hirst and Bailey before the ball reached Neequaye who finished well. It was Neequaye who turned provider on the half hour as he controlled a poor clearance by Daniel Lever in the Robins goal and unselfishly passed to Bailey in the centre who had a straightforward finish from 6 yards out. Neequaye was enjoying his afternoon and had yet another contribution to make before half time. Another flowing move down the left, with Daley Rothwell prominent, led to a fine cross and Neequaye was well positioned near the penalty spot to give Lever no chance.
4-0 to the home side at half time and it could have been more.
The visitors battled hard in the second half but the chances continued to fall the way of the home side. Good movement by GNE and some confusion in defence by Wigan Robin Park led to chances for Chris Hirst, Bailey and Lee Blackshaw before it was Blackshaw in the 77th minute who latched on to a through ball from midfield. His well placed effort was too good for Lever and that was 5 for the Hillmen. The chances continued to come to GNE but that was the end of the scoring and a fine win for the home side which sent the supporters home happy but still wondering about the number of missed chances. For Wigan Robin Park they can credit themselves in playing the game in the right way but must be fervently hoping for a change of fortune soon.
ipsa scientia potestas est
GNE Team Proctor, Byrne, Bockarie, Lugsden, Young, Allen, Rothwell (Turner), Hirst (Bromilow), Bailey, Neequaye (Morris), Blackshaw.
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