Glapwell in four-midable form

This was only Glapwell’s second league game of 2013 and fourth since the end of November. It was also Jamie Bennett’s first league victory as manager and has extended the unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games.

Glapwell made four changes to the side from the League Cup draw with Belper United as Ashley Ruse, Josh Goodhand, Craig Newton and Kye Martey returned to the starting line-up with Michael Smy dropping down to the bench and Rob Holland, Jordan Jones and Oliver Trigg unavailable. There was also a place in the squad for the first time for recent signing James Burke.

And they were in control of most of the game although the home side had a couple of chances in the opening three minutes but Brad Straw shot well wide from outside the area before they went closer a minute later when a corner from the right was bundled against the post before Glapwell just about cleared their lines after a slightly panicky start.

But Glapwell struck the woodwork, themselves, on four minutes when Josh Goodhand’s cross from the right was headed towards goal by Ashley Ruse with the ball deflecting against the crossbar off Sherwood’s Rob Whitmore.

Much like Tuesday night, Glapwell played some good football and after a good move the ball came to Kye Martey but his shot was weak and an easy save for James Rice in the Sherwood goal. But less than a minute later Glapwell went in front.

Good play down the left by Robert Mawer resulted in him cutting the ball back into the middle to Craig Newton who saw his first shot blocked but slotted home his second chance from 12 yards for his first goal for the club.

The lead might have been short-lived, though, as Sherwood could have pulled themselves level four minutes later but Ryan Hopkins did well to deny Jack Wood at the back post after a deep cross had come in from the right.

Glapwell, and Newton, could have doubled their total, though, shortly afterwards when Goodhand’s strong in-swinging delivery from the right was met by the head of Newton but he had no control over it as it flew well off target.

Despite only having a one-goal advantage Glapwell were comfortable enough but in the space of a few seconds the home side had a couple of chances to level the scores with Brad Straw dragging his shot inches past the far post before he could only head straight at Hopkins from 12 yards out when he really should have done better.

But Glapwell had a chance to take a two-goal lead into the break but Josh Goodhand fired a shot well over the bar from 25 yards when he had other options available to him.

Glapwell, and Goodhand, effectively put the game to bed, though, only three minutes into the second period when the lead was doubled. A cross from the left fell to Ross Murcott whose shot was blocked but the ball came out to Goodhand who finished well with the outside of the foot from outside the area.

That was the perfect start to the second half for Glapwell although the home side went close just after when Andy Paling’s long-range effort was only just off target while at the other end Josh Goodhand saw his free-kick from the right palmed away by James Rice at his near post.

It was three for Glapwell, though, just after the hour mark when Kye Martey scored his second goal of the season. Craig Newton’s through-ball was just in front of Martey but he did well to put the keeper under pressure and his clearance was struck straight at Martey whose shot just about crept over the line after hitting both posts.

Almost straight from the kick-off it could have been four as the home side switched off totally and Goodhand went clean through on James Rice but the keeper stood up well to deny him.

The game was definitely over at this stage and it was a case of how many could Glapwell win by as they were causing some real problems for the home side with the pace down the flanks and they were given a big opportunity to make it four with 20 minutes remaining when they were awarded a penalty after Kye Martey was tripped in the area.

But Robert Mawer’s spot-kick lacked any real power and was a simple enough save for James Rice in the Sherwood goal with Goodhand booked for a rash challenge as he went in for the rebound.

With just over 15 minutes to go there was a debut for James Burke as he replaced Ross Murcott but it was Sherwood that were unlucky not to be the next on the score sheet but it was fine Glapwell defending as Ashley Ruse made a last-ditch challenge to deny Gaz Curtis after Ryan Hopkins had denied Brad Straw.

Andrew Hauton was then only inches away, though, from his first Glapwell goal as his shot from 25 yards flew just over the bar after Mawer had laid a free-kick back to him.

There weren’t too many more clear chances with the game over as a contest but Glapwell still had time to add a fourth in injury time when Goodhand scored his second of the afternoon after a fine individual run. He picked the ball up just inside his own half and jumped over two challenges and although he didn’t catch his shot cleanly it rolled into the bottom corner.

So, a good team performance for Glapwell as they stretch their unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games but just as importantly they picked up their first clean sheet in 16 games stretching back to a victory over Phoenix in September.

They remain in eighth place in the league on 31 points with a couple of games in hand on a few teams above them so a good run now could see a challenge for a top-six finish which is the aim for manager Jamie Bennett.

Next up is the Floodlit Cup Northern Section semi-final tie at home to Harworth CI this coming Tuesday night, 7.45pm, before Glapwell travel to the League Cup replay at Belper United next Saturday with that game kicking off at the earlier time of 1.30pm due to the possibility of extra-time and penalties being required with no floodlights at Belper’s Nailers Way ground.

Goals: Newton (Glapwell) 14; Goodhand (Glapwell) 48; Martey (Glapwell) 63; Goodhand (Glapwell) 90

Sherwood Colliery: James Rice, Scott Sipson, Luke Proctor, Charlie Taylor, Rob Whitmore (Brad Baxter 77), Andy Paling, Jack Wood (Eden Homer 65), Brendan Williams, Brad Straw, Tristan Burrell (Grant Thorpe 65), Gaz Curtis

Glapwell: Ryan Hopkins, Ashley Ruse, Andrew Hauton, Tom Robley, Craig Humphreys, Waine Bexton, Josh Goodhand, Ross Murcott (James Burke 73), Craig Newton (Michael Smy 66), Kye Martey (Josh Madin 82), Robert Mawer. Subs not used: Tom Clarke, Jamie Bennett
Glapwell Man of the Match: Josh Goodhand

Yellow Cards: Goodhand (Glapwell) 70; Robley (Glapwell) 83

Referee: Simon Swain (Lincoln)