Glossop North End vs 1874 Northwich

Recap

GLOSSOP NE 0 V 2 1874 NORTHWICH

In November 2014, 1874 inflicted the last league defeat on Glossop North End thanks to a solitary goal from Mathew Beadle and at the Surrey Street ground on Monday evening 1874 won again thanks to two well worked goals in the first half.

The home side, due to having a lot of games to accommodate in a short period of time, understandably rested a few players but nevertheless they started the game well and in the first ten minutes Conkie was twice tested by Reed and then Freakes but he was up to the task and saved easily. In fact Conkie gave an inspired performance throughout the game as he came for every cross and collected with ease each time to give his side even more confidence

Glossop were keeping the ball well and showed a fine understanding with each other as they moved the ball forward on both flanks whilst Reed was a constant threat through the middle. However, for 1874, key defenders Thomas; Lomas and Bayley were alert throughout and seemed to have most attacks well under control.

Hare had a good chance to open the scoring for the hosts but he miscued his effort and the ball went wide and minutes later Thomas was on hand to expertly clear the danger of another threatening attack.

Up to this point 1874 had only had a couple of good forward moves but the game came alive after 25 minutes with an excellent well-worked goal by 1874. Connor found Beadle wide on the right and then the striker proceeded to turn the defender inside out, not once but twice, before hitting a perfect deep cross on to the head of Neil Chappell and the ex-Glossop player didn’t falter as his powerful header from five yards hit the back of the net much to the delight of the strong contingent of 1874 supporters.

Chappell, Ward and skipper Matt Woolley then started to win more tackles in the midfield and also kept the ball better than had been the case previously and another goal seemed likely. Indeed, Chappell nearly claimed his second of the game after 33 minutes but his effort was wide of the target and then minutes later 1874 received a timely reminder that Glossop were not out of the game by any means as Hind and Freakes combined well to create a good chance but Freakes shot over the bar.

This better spell for the home side continued as Hind had a shot easily saved by Conkie and then Reed should really have scored after receiving an excellent pass from the right but he shot narrowly wide of the goal. At the other end Wellstead twice created chances but to no avail but then on the stroke of half time 1874 scored their second headed goal of the game and this time it was Wellstead who got on the end of a pin-point free kick on the right from the impressive Bayley.

After the interval 1874 carried on from where they had left off and such was their performance that their supporters were questioning as to how this form had deserted them in their last game (a 3-2 loss at home to AFC Blackpool).

Matt Beadle had been a constant threat throughout showing his admirable skill with the ball at his feet and his ability to “bring his colleagues into play” with simple, effective passes. In short his performance deserved a goal but it just didn’t happen for him on the night.

Connor’s trickery provided another opening for 1874 but Ledwards – on a rare venture upfield – hit his drive well over the bar.

Young substitute Joe Woolley came nearest to a third goal on the night but after some good approach work, his effort was easily saved.

So 1874 saw the game out comfortably to record “the double” over the North West Counties Premier League Champions and at the same time Conkie and his team mates registered two clean sheets much to the satisfaction of all concerned with 1874 as the win almost ensures that 1874 will finish in third place – a most creditable performance for the club

Team: Conkie; Bayley; Lomas; Thomas; Connor ; Chappell; Woolley (M); Ward; Wellstead; Ledwards and Beadle

Substitutes: Woolley (J) replaced Wellstead on 75 minutes

Brandon; Duckworth; Lunn and Stewart were unused

Referee: Dean Watson Attendance: 454