Tom Carr’s double put Glasshoughton Welfare back in contention for the play-offs as Nostell Miners Welfare’s recent revival hit a massive bump at the TJs Arena.

In a frantic opening stanza, Adam Walsh and Carr gave Welfare a dream start before a Jack Owen penalty got the visitors back in the game. Carr restored the two-goal advantage and a second half Conor Glavin bullet header sealed the points for Welfare.

Andy Horbury’s late sending-off was the only bleak moment for Glasshoughton on a perfect day.

Glasshoughton made changes for the game after the disappointing last minute defeat at AFC Emley a week ago. Matt Cunliffe came in for the injured Rob Oldham, Adam Walsh replaced Daniel Bingley. Tom Carr, who played in goal last week replaced the unavailable Gareth Hunter and Sam Eyles made his third appearance in the Glasshoughton goal.

The Showman Ryan Poskitt lined up for the visitors against his former side for the first time. The visitors were obviously without suspended trio Lee Swift, Liam Owen and Billy Mole.

The visitors opened with purpose and looked dangerous in the first minutes.
However Glasshoughton took the lead on 10 minutes with their first attack of the match when man of the match Carr got onto the end of a high cross and he knocked the ball forward to Adam Walsh who guided the ball past Aiden Tyas.

Two minutes later the home side got their second as Mitchell Wilshire drove down the left flank and his excellent cross was headed home by Carr.

Within minutes wing wizard Connor Rollinson saw a delicately chipped effort cleared off the visitors line – had that gone in, it would have been all over there and then.

It could have been a key moment as Nostell were then given a life-line when Walsh sent Poskitt tumbling to the ground just inside the penalty area and Jack Owen beat Eyles with the spot kick.

Welfare got their third on 20 minutes when Andy Horbury attacked down the left and his cross was steered home by Carr

The visitors came back and Eyles saved well from Liam Radford before both he and Jamie Miller both just cleared the crossbar with shots.

Just before the break Wilshire again did well down the left for Glasshoughton and Horbury got on the end of the cross only to see Tyas make a great block.

As the second half opened Eyles made a good save to his left and at the other end Wilshire and Horbury combined well with the latter shooting inches over the bar.

Poskitt, in his only real effort on goal, curled an effort wide of a post before Horbury was given a second yellow card and then sent off for kicking the ball away when disputing an offside decision.

Welfare sealed the win on 74 minutes when an Alex Marsh corner was headed powerfully home by Glavin, a header leaping legend Walsh would have been proud of.

Welfare substitute Jamie Simspson was foiled by a low save from Tyas and he saw another effort drilled just wide.

In injury time Eyles prevented his side conceding a second with two great saves as the visitors attempted to reduce the arrears.

What They Said
Glasshoughton Welfare manager Darren Holmes
“It was a fantastic performance by the lads today. Finished our chances and defended really well when required.
“There had been lots of social media regarding the changes at Nostell and we prepared well and the lads were ready for a tough game. We showed quality all over the park and as a team and individuals gave 110 % we can’t ask for more than that.
“Every game is huge from now till the end of the season and the lads are getting a taste for a play-off place. Play like we did today and we will be close I’m sure.”

The Teams
Glasshoughton Welfare: Eyles, Marsh, Cunliffe, Akeister, Pashley, Walsh, Rollinson (Ferguson), Glavin, Horbury, Carr (Simpson), Wilshire (Hullock). Subs unused: Bingley, Horn.
Nostell Miners Welfare: Tyas, Kelly (Heard), Ball, Welford, Mbrie), Kilburn (Fry), Almond, Greenhough, Poskitt, Miller, Radford, Owen. Subs unused: Ward, Collins.

Man of the Match
Tom Carr (Glasshoughton Welfare)
Referee. Colin Unwin

Attendance. 95