Match Report: Jonathan Haggart Photo: Steve Dyson
Injuries had denied GNE their first choice front line, with centre half Lewis Lacy asked to play in the makeshift number 9 role, but Lacy showed the poise of a full-time striker when netting the opening goal in the 10th minute. A low corner took a ricochet as it arrived into the box and Lacy met the rebound with an accurate finish, netting off the post.
There was a lengthy delay as Radcliffe defender Matthew Williams stayed down with a worrying injury. The players were taken off the pitch for 15 minutes whilst an ambulance was called and Williams was attended to. In the end, WIliams was able to walk himself off the pitch, the injury being a serious hand problem, and was taken to hospital. Everyone at Surrey Street wished him all the best.
After the restart Glossop made a couple of good chances, Courtney Meppen-Walter putting it over the bar with a volley from a corner and Callum Chippendale having a low shot saved. However Lacy had the best chance when he latched onto a short backpass on the left side. He beat the keeper, Ryan Jones, to the ball and rounded him. He was still quite a way out from goal and rather than take the ball on he decided to try and shoot into an unguarded net, but the shot lacked the pace to make the net before the defender could slide back and block his effort.
Reprieved, Radliffe struck on 39 minutes when from a corner a free header was blocked on the line, but the rebound fell to Tomas Owens, who could tap in from short range.
However, there was still time for GNE to re-take the lead, and this time when Meppen-Walter met a corner no-one was stopping him, as he bundled through players to bullet home a header right on half time.
Jude Oyibo came on for Connor Martin at half time and was immediately into the action, brought down in the box in the 49th minute. Meppen-Walter stepped up to take the spot kick, but Jones guessed right, diving full length to his right to push the ball away.
Oyibo lashed a good chance wide and GNE’s profligacy was punished on 59 minutes. Russ Saunders was beaten when rushing off his line to meet a through ball and was rounded. The shot was blocked on the line but the rebound fell to Akil Grier and tapped in.
GNE pressed to take the lead for the third time, but found Radcliffe in a tenacious mood. Shots were blocked and deflected as bodies were put on the line, and the Hillmen could not find that clear cut chance that would seal it. It felt like two points dropped.
# | Team | Pl | Pts |
9. | Colwyn Bay | 42 | 61 |
10. | Atherton Collieries | 42 | 58 |
11. | Glossop North End | 42 | 53 |
12. | Clitheroe | 42 | 51 |
13. | Droylsden | 42 | 50 |
14. | Ramsbottom United | 42 | 48 |
15. | Ossett Albion | 42 | 47 |