After a 6 - 0 cup win away against Grantham's kids a week ago and a hard fought point at home against Droylsden on Saturday, Glossop looked to gain their first league win of the season against top of the table Radcliffe.
Facing John Macken's and Frank Sinclair's high fliers looked an uphill task on paper and so it proved literally, with Glossop ending up playing the second half of the game up the slight incline on Radcliffe's pitch.
The game started at a lively pace with both teams creating chances, and whilst Glossop did still resort to their much maligned long ball tactic of the season so far, they seemed to be more productive in picking up the pieces after Daz Mason's tireless efforts to win the ball for his side.
Mason's link up play with Jack Tuohy is developing game by game and there is a clamour from Hillmen fans to see those two installed as nailed on starters.
It was Tuohy who broke the deadlock on 17 minutes from a free kick. A low, sumptuously curled effort around the wall gave the goalkeeper little chance of keeping it out.
The home side found themselves two behind five minutes later, and this time
it was who else but Daz Mason nodding in a corner at the back stick. 2-0 away from home at half time.
The home side had become increasingly frustrated with the officials and this carried over past the interval. Prince Haywood received his marching orders and things almost spilled over into a bit of a brawl with the referee failing to keep control.
Two goals to the good and with a man more, Glossop rung the changes and battened down the hatches as the hosts attacked them down the slope.
The Hillmen defended valiantly but were rocked as Boro restored some belief through Ben Wharton's goal following a decent move down the right.
Despite a string of corners, a few half chances and a lot of pressure on the officials, Glossop held on to claim their first 3 points of the season. Not a vintage performance by any stretch but it's two wins from three and three unbeaten, which any Hillmen fan would've taken on the back of the disappointment at Widnes not so long ago.
Matchday Report by Culain Wood
Photograph by Steve Dyson
Highlights by Bandit Productions - GNEtv
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
14. | Droylsden | 38 | 43 |
15. | Newcastle Town | 38 | 40 |
16. | Market Drayton Town | 38 | 40 |
17. | Glossop North End | 38 | 31 |
18. | Clitheroe | 38 | 28 |
19. | Kendal Town | 38 | 19 |
20. | Skelmersdale United | 38 | 13 |