Browse Sections

• Local football
• Local cricket

Glossop NE 3 Congleton Town 0

12/ 3/2008

A TREMENDOUS performance in appalling weather means North End are now only a point behind the fourth-placed Bears with two games in hand and a better goal difference.

Last Saturday’s crowd of 173 should be bettered this weekend with the visit of second-placed Salford City and the Hillmen providing their supporters with the most enjoyable season in years.

Possession-wise, the first half was even but it was North End who had the better of the chances with James Acton’s goalbound effort pushed away before the same player lobbed an effort over the bar.

The breakthrough came on 39 minutes when Darren Hamilton’s cross found Kieran Lugsden at the edge of the six-yard box, but instead of sweeping a right-footed shot across his body, he surprised everyone by poking a left-footed effort which saw the ball hit the inside of the post before finding the net.

Congleton had a gilt-edged opportunity to get back into the game seven minutes into the second half when Mike Hollin was adjudged to have tugged Hurst’s shirt and a penalty was awarded, only for Fielding to push Hurst’s spot-kick to safety.

Glossop rocked a little though, and when Hollin slipped in the atrocious conditions, they were fortunate that the Congleton winger could not find an effective pass.

North End doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute when Lugsden found Hamilton who controlled the ball, turned and sidestepped the defender before curling a left-footed shot into the net.

Lugsden hit the side-netting, Bailey had a shot deflected wide, while Fielding tipped a header over at the other end before the game came to life again in stoppage time.

Bostock was dismissed for a foul on Young which was not even a yellow card, but the referee thought otherwise and added to a previous booking awarded for an off-the-ball incident.

Glossop took full advantage of the extra man as Lugsden forced a slip from the Congleton centre-half, leaving him clear on goal.

Although his initial shot hit the keeper, he bounced back to his feet to net the rebound.

Attendance: 173