Glossop took on Widnes at Surrey Street as we resumed our league campaign at the weekend with a 9-goal thriller.
This was the second time the two sides had met in less than 4 weeks with Widnes winning the earlier fixture 2-0. However, there were plenty more goals in this game
Glossop took the lead through captain Matty Russell before the away side equalised via Dale Korie-Butler. Glossop immediately re-took the lead as Pete Boyle fired in a low shot in off the post with Korie-Butler grabbing his second not long before the break, to set the scores level.
Seconds after the restart, Korie-Butler sealed his hat-trick with a smart finish past Saunders. Jack Dunn extended their lead with Philip Doran’s long range effort taking a wicked deflection into the net. Matty Russell scored a late penalty but Widnes were not finished as Ben Hodkinson scored their 6th to condem Glossop to another defeat.
Glossop had started the game the better side and created a few half chances in the opening 10 minutes.
The first clear chance came when Jason Hill found space on the left hand side to drill a ball across goal towards Boyle but a Widnes defender was able to intercept the cross and put the ball out for a corner. From the resulting corner, keeper Ryan Neild saved well after a header from a Glossop attacker.
Glossop did get the first goal just minutes later. Ian Bennett was fouled 25 yards from goal, Jack Tuohy struck the free kick, Neild was able to parry the ball to his right, where Madeley followed up to hit the rebound which cannoned off the post. The ball was put back into the danger zone where Andy Bishop somehow found space to execute an acrobatic over-head kick towards goal where Matty Russell was at the far post to head the ball past Neild.
On 16 minutes, Glossop nearly doubled their lead. Adam Cooper’s long throw was headed behind for a corner, Tuohy delivered the ball finding Ollie Thornley who’s shot was cleared off the line by a Widnes defender.
The clearance fell to Kevin Towey who saw Saunders off his line and went for goal from just inside the Glossop half. Saunders raced back and was able to claim the ball.
Glossop continued to push for a second goal, Matty Russell’s delivery into the box was headed towards his own goal by Steven Akrigg, Nield had to scramble to prevent Akrigg from scoring an own goal.
Glossop had not taken their chances and were made to pay when Widnes scored the equaliser after 27 minutes. Jay Roberts played a through ball for Dale Korie-Butler to chase, he beat Bishop to the ball before rounding Saunders and finishing into an empty net.
2 minutes later and there was another goal. Oli Turner flicked the ball onto Russell who drove forward before playing the ball into Pete Boyle in the centre of the pitch. Sam Madeley’s darting run drew the defenders away from Boyle who then found himself with lots of space, he shot from just outside the area which bounced in off the post. Glossop lead again.
Saunders did well to prevent Korie-Butler from scoring again making a good save down low however Widnes did score again just before half time.
Captain Daniel Ventre played a long diagonal ball to Roberts who was able to simply square the ball across to Korie-Butler who tapped in for his second.
The teams went into the break level at 2-2.
On 48 minutes, Widnes took the lead for the first time during the game. Korie-Butler scored his hat trick, a ball over the top found the striker who looked offside. He was able to chip Saunders and Widnes were in front. Glossop’s players were aggrieved by this goal as Matty Russell was down injured and play was not stopped.
Glossop pushed for an equaliser and brought new signing Matty Chapman on for Sam Madeley. They struggled to create however, and Widnes scored a 4th.
Korie-Butler, involved again did well to delay the ball just outside of the area as he awaited support. He found Jack Dunn who in space outside the box was able to fire a curling effort over Saunders and into the net.
There was not much action between Widnes’ 4th goal on 48 minutes and 80 minutes.
Glossop had brought Alex Elliott and Liam Turner on in search of a goal but as they pushed players forward, were always vulnerable at the back.
Philip Doran tried his luck from range and the ball took a cruel deflection off a Glossop defender to take the ball out of Saunders’s reach and into the net.
North End did have the chance to grab a 3rd, 2 minutes from time. Thornley had won a corner and from the corner a flurry of shots went towards goal where the ball looked to be deliberately handled on the line by a Widnes defender, no card was produced but Glossop did have a penalty.
Matty Russell stepped up and scored his 2nd of the afternoon and Glossop’s 3rd.
Widnes were not finished and sub Chris Lomax rattled the bar from distance as we entered added time.
In the 92nd minute, Ben Hodkinson was nearly found by his fellow attacker yet Boyle did well to stop the cross, a corner was conceived and from the corner the ball fell all the way through to the far post where Hodkinson was there to tap in.
That was the last action from Surrey St as Glossop ended up losing 3-6 to Widnes.
The Hillmen are in action again on Saturday 20th October away at Ramsbottom United.
Matchday Report by Taran Dhamrait
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 |