Late strike defeats Glapwell

It was a disappointing defeat for Glapwell who were guilty of missed chances in the first half and, again, their own worst enemies by conceding cheap goals.

Glapwell made four changes from the 5-0 victory over DFS Welbeck with Tom Robley returning for the first time since the opening day of the season, Danny Hutchinson came back in at left-back, Alex Marsh started in central midfield and there was a first appearance for defender Jay Whalley who had recently signed. They replaced Jamie Goodacre, Jack Lomax, Craig Charlesworth and Justin Burdett.

And Glapwell nearly got off to the perfect start as good play between Adam Jones and Lee Easom saw the ball pulled back to Adam Fletcher who saw his shot blocked before the ball bounced out to Jones who was never really in control as he fired well over the bar from the edge of the area.

But the home side nearly punished some slack Glapwell defending just two minutes later but Louis Reed could only volley wide after Glapwell had failed to clear a free-kick. And another chance quickly followed for the hosts but Chris Belshaw could only head wide from Reed’s cross.

But Glapwell slowly built up a head of steam and went close when Easom just prodded wide from the edge of the area and then a good move involving Alex Marsh and Steve Shannon saw the ball pulled back to Easom who flicked the ball on to Tom Robley who never looked comfortable as he shot well wide.

However, Glapwell took the lead shortly afterwards. Steve Shannon headed the ball towards the Harworth goal but there should have been no danger but Steve Wibberley’s attempted clearance bounced straight off Easom and into the empty net.

It was a fortunate goal but credit should go to Easom who put the home keeper under pressure and the lead may have been doubled just three minutes later. After a mix-up in the home defence Steve Shannon nipped in but couldn’t guide his shot on target as it trickled just past the far post.

And Harworth punished this by equalising just a minute later. Gareth Sides played a good ball out left to Louis Reed who crossed for Kevin Shelley to slot the ball home from six yards out. It was a simple goal for the hosts and Glapwell will be disappointed with the way it was conceded.

But it could have got worse for Glapwell just minutes later as the hosts nearly turned the game on its head. A free-kick was floated into the box to Sides at the back post, who was totally unmarked, but he somehow headed into the side-netting when it was easier to score.

However, Glapwell really should have re-taken the lead on 34 minutes. Ashley Rouse played a good ball through to Steve Shannon, who beat the offside trap, and the front man went around the keeper but his first touch was heavy and took him away from goal but he still got a shot in that had to be cleared off the line by a home defender after it had bypassed the keeper.

Chances continued to follow and Harworth keeper Steve Wibberley did well to hold on to Adam Jones’ well struck shot with strikers closing in for a rebound. But the hosts could have taken the lead as Louis Reed was allowed to run at the Glapwell goal but he fired well wide.

On the stroke of half-time, though, a big chance fell to Glapwell. Adam Fletcher did well down the right and pulled the ball back to Lee Easom who opted to turn and shoot when Adam Jones was in a much better position on the edge of the area.

However, things started to go wrong for Glapwell just into the second period as the hosts were awarded a 48th minute penalty. Louis Reed was hacked down by Alex Marsh in the area and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Gareth Sides stepped up to smash the ball straight down the middle, leaving Davies with no chance.

It was the worst possible start to the second half for Glapwell and it could have got worse but Jamie Davies clung on to Kevin Shelley’s snap-shot.

It took until the 59th minute for Glapwell to register their first chance of the second half but it was a poor one as Shannon fired well wide from Adam Fletcher’s corner.

On the hour-mark, Glapwell decided to change things to try and get themselves back in the game and introduced James Fanfarillo in place of Yogi Depass.

But, still the hosts continued to play some decent football and they went close with 20 minutes to go when Chris Belshaw beat three men on the left side of the box before smashing into the side netting.

And just two minutes later Glapwell were level. Danny Hutchinson playing a good ball up the left touchline to Adam Jones who flicked through to Lee Easom. Easom’s original shot was blocked by the feet of the keeper but he reacted quickest to tap the rebound into the net for his tenth goal of the season so far.

Easom then nearly completed what would have been his third hat-trick of the season just moments later but he couldn’t quite got his shot on target after being found by Jamie Davies’ long clearance.

With ten minutes remaining and the game seemingly headed for a draw, there was a highly controversial moment. Matt Bradley played the ball into Kevin Shelley who chipped the ball over Davies but as he was preparing to head the ball into the net the ball seemed to be blocked by the arm of Ashley Rouse on the line. Almost everybody expected to see Glapwell reduced to ten men but the linesman flagged for a Glapwell free-kick. Shelley was then booked, himself, for handball much to the obvious annoyance of the home side.

If Glapwell had been let off the hook on that occasion it didn’t last long as the visitors took the points with the winning goal on 86 minutes. Bradley, who had been involved in the previous incident, tapping the ball past Davies from 12 yards and many felt that justice had been done after the hosts had been denied just a couple of moments before.

But, still the hosts had time to extend their lead but they didn’t take their chance as Bradley crossed for Chris Belshaw who fired well wide from the edge of the area.

It didn’t impact on the result though which was probably a fair one on reflection. Glapwell will be left to wonder, though, what might have been had they been more clinical in front of goal in the first period.

The results see Glapwell slip to tenth place in the league with back-to-back home games coming up. Firstly, this Tuesday the visitors are Thorne Colliery, 7.45pm, before Glapwell remain at Hall Corner next Saturday for the visit of Westella and Willerby, 3pm.

Goals : Easom (Glapwell) 24; Shelley (Harworth) 29; Sides (Harworth) 48pen; Easom (Glapwell) 72; Bradley (Harworth) 86

Harworth : Steve Wibberley, Dave Cornthwaite, Stuart Needham, Martyn Gee, James Woodward, Dave Reeve, Lee Edmundson, Louis Reed, Gareth Sides (Matt Bradley 65), Kevin Shelley, Chris Belshaw. Subs not used : Lewis Francis, Matt Bradley

Glapwell : Jamie Davies, Tom Robley, Danny Hutchinson, Ashley Rouse, Jay Whalley, Adam Jones, Adam Fletcher, Alex Marsh, Steve Shannon (Kye Martey 77), Lee Easom, Yogi Depass (James Fanfarillo 61). Subs not used : Floyd Swift, Lee Hole, Luke Smith
Glapwell Man of the Match : James Fanfarillo

Yellow Cards : Marsh (Glapwell) 48; Shelley (Harworth) 80

Referee : Pete Craggs (Mansfield)