Glapwell finish the season in style

Glapwell wrapped their league programme up in style by bouncing back to record a 5-3 victory over Askern FC at Hall Corner.

After defeats in their previous two league matches, Glapwell were determined not to end the season with another loss and they recovered from the early blow of the visitors taking the lead to storm back to another impressive victory at home, the gloss of which was taken off slightly by the visitors scoring a couple of late goals that briefly threatened a comeback.
The result also sees Glapwell finish six points clear at the top of the table after a 12th consecutive home league victory, finishing the campaign with 99 league goals scored at Hall Corner.
There were two changes to the starting line-up from the weekend defeat at Phoenix with Daniel Russell returning to the side as did Josh Thomas with Josh Clayton dropping down to the bench and Mitchell Mullins unavailable.
Glapwell were keen to ensure that they didn't finish the season with another side doing the league double over them but they started slowly in the opening few minutes and the visitors took the lead after only five minutes with Shaun Mundy racing clear and lifting the ball over Ryan Hopkins from just outside the area.
But, despite the early setback, Glapwell weren't to be deterred by that and they showed real character and fight to get back into the game, going close to levelling on ten minutes when Josh Parfitt chested the ball down to Josh Thomas whose shot was grasped at the second time of asking by Askern keeper Liam Copley.
On 25 minutes, Glapwell really should have been level when Ryan Cancellara played a good one-two with Parfitt but he blazed his shot high over the bar from 12 yards.
Two minutes later, though, Glapwell were back on level terms when Jordan Jones' delivery from the right drifted over the final defenders head and Daniel Russell brilliantly volleyed home from 12 yards for his 25th goal of the season.
From that point, Glapwell were invigorated and they went close just after the half hour mark when Josh Parfitt pulled the ball back from the right but Jordan Jones couldn't keep his shot down as he fired over.
Glapwell were now playing really well, though, and it seemed like only a matter of time until they went in front, which they ultimately did on 32 minutes when Daniel Russell gambled on some hesitation on the back to take the ball off the keeper and roll it into the empty net from a tightening angle.
They weren't finished there either and they extended their lead even further before the break when a free-kick into the box was flicked on by Ryan Cancellara to Josh Thomas who tucked the ball under the keeper from eight yards.
It was no more than they had deserved for their first half showing as they took their two-goal advantage into the break where they made two changes, replacing Ross Murcott and Josh Thomas with Sean Gardner and Jake Ballinger.
They made a storming start to the second period as well, extending their lead on 52 minutes when Jack Hutchinson played the ball up the right to Daniel Russell who brilliantly turned a defender before threading a ball through to Josh Scully who smashed the ball low underneath the body of the Askern keeper at the near post.
It was another quality move which kept coming as Glapwell searched for more goals, firstly Daniel Russell played in Jake Ballinger but he couldn't direct his shot on target as he fired wide.
Then more impressive play by the lively Russell set up a chance for Josh Parfitt who saw his shot brilliantly saved by Liam Copley in the Askern goal.
On the hour mark, though, Glapwell added their fifth as Daniel Russell completed a well deserved hat-trick by heading home Josh Scully's corner from six yards out.
There were then further chances for Glapwell to score again, firstly Scully's deep cross from the right saw Copley brilliantly deny Jake Ballinger at the back post before Scully's free-kick from the left came crashing back out off the inside of the far post.
Glapwell were certainly unlucky not to have been further in front at that point but the final 15 minutes saw the momentum change somewhat as the visitors threatended what would have been an incredible comeback.
Firstly, they made it 5-2 on 77 minutes when Shane Carver raced on to a ball down the right and pulled it back to the far post where Craig Fletcher finished well.
Then a little over two minutes later, Ryan Hopkins' clearance only went as far as Carver who spotted Hopkins out of his net and launched an audacious effort from 45 yards that flew into the top corner.
But, even at that point there appeared to be no real danger to Glapwell but there could have been had Ryan Hopkins not made a fine save to deny Craig Fletcher after more good work by Carver.
Leon Cusworth then flashed an effort just wide of the post but Glapwell had done enough to ensure that they had finished the season in style with another three points, their 23rd league victory of the season which ensures they will finish as champions by six clear points.
It also increases their winning home league run to 12 games and means that they will finish the season having scored 99 league goals at Hall Corner in the 14 matches this season.
Many records have been smashed this season by this squad of players, they will all be noted in an end of season review which will follow in the next few days, but for now this squad can take pride in that they have been the best team in the league this season by some distance.
Josh Parfitt couldn't quite extend his goalscoring run to 11 consecutive matches but he will still finish the season as the Central Midlands League's top scorer with a brilliant 41 goals.
So, that marks the end of what has been a remarkable season and all that remains now is the club's end of season presentation evening which will take place a week on Saturday, 28th May, in the clubhouse starting around 6.30pm.
Goals: Mundy (Askern) 5; Russell (Glapwell) 27; Russell (Glapwell) 32; Thomas (Glapwell) 37; Scully (Glapwell) 52; Russell (Glapwell) 60; Fletcher (Askern) 77; Carver (Askern) 79
Glapwell: Ryan Hopkins, Jordan Jones, Jack Hutchinson, Ryan Cancellara, Lee Naughton, Ross Murcott (Sean Gardner HT), Adam Barratt, Josh Scully, Josh Parfitt, Daniel Russell (Josh Clayton 72), Josh Thomas (Jake Ballinger HT). Sub not used: Jake Levers
Glapwell Man of the Match: Daniel Russell
Askern: Liam Copley, Steven Athey, Tom Padgett, Haydn Tomlinson, Leon Cusworth, Ben Wilkinson, Jason Kearsley, Matty Devine, Shane Carver, Shaun Mundy, Craig Fletcher. Subs: Danny Jones, Chris Hart, Josh Illman
Referee: Scott Spering (Pilsley)