Glasshoughton Welfare 2-2 Liversedge
Match Photos
Match Photos
Glasshoughton Welfare boss Rob Hunter admitted his side were lucky people after super-sub Greig McGrory scored twice to rescue a point for Welfare in the NCEL Premier Division clash with Liversedge.
Liversedge were cruising to a first win in five games and in full control at 2-0, but McGrory (pictured above) struck in the 75th and 88th minute for Glasshoughton to cancel out Chris Hirst’s earlier double strike.
Both sides had chances to win during a frantic finale after the equaliser, but Hunter, who hailed the impact of McGrory, felt a Glasshoughton victory would have not been a fair reflection on the game.
“We did get out of jail and to be fair, it was probably the poorest performance we have put together since I have been here,” he said.
“We played for 70 minutes looking lethargic and we didn’t look like we were in the game and then we got a bit of magic.
“We brought Greig McGrory on and I think on only his second touch, he hit one into the top corner. It gave us the impetus to go on. All of a sudden there is 15 minutes to go and the lads were believing in themselves.
“We could have won it at the end, but so could they. They had two chances and we had two chances…but it would have been a travesty if we had won the game because we didn’t deserve to.”
On a glorious sun-kissed day at Leeds Road, Liversedge controlled the majority of the proceedings. ‘Sedge had one chance cleared off the line before Hirst hit his first goal on 18 minutes. James Rothel’s free kick from the left was knocked down and the impressive Hirst finished from close range to put ‘Sedge ahead.
‘Sedge had further opportunities to double their advantage as at the other end Glasshoughton struggled to break an experienced ‘Sedge defence down. Matthew Howgate’s corner which cannoned back off the crossbar was the closest Welfare came to scoring.
And when Liversedge scored again two minutes into the second half when a defensive mistake allowed Hirst to score, the writing appeared to be on the wall. Especially when Welfare goalkeeper Anthony Wetherell was forced to make a string of excellent saves to keep the score at 2-0.
Needing inspiration Hunter threw McGrory into the fray and the former Pontefract Collieries man immediately inspired a Welfare comeback. Twenty-five yards away from the goal, McGrory unleashed a bullet which flew into the top corner with Liversedge stopper Paul Hagreen helpless.
Liversedge were rocking and their manager Eric Gilchrist was becoming an increasingly agitated figure on the side-lines as experienced frontman Robert Pell caused mayhem for Glasshoughton. And Welfare’s efforts were rewarded when McGrory was put through on goal and the striker kept his composure to apply a smart finish to equalise.
Neither team were finished as the last five minutes saw cavalier attacking as both sides attempted to grab the winner. Welfare have Wetherell to thank as the stopper pulled off two excellent stops in one go. He first denied Rothel and then Brook Newton’s follow-up attempt. Experienced ex-Ossett Albion striker Danny Toronczak then had a goal-bound header booted away from danger.
However, both sides had to settle for a point. Glasshoughton will take it as a point gained, while Liversedge will regret not killing the game off at 2-0 when they were in full control.
Glasshoughton Welfare: A Wetherell, Swales, Nodder, James, Pell, Parkes, Beaston, K Weatherald, Young, Howgate (McGrory 59), Headley. Subs unused: Stirland, Woolard.
Liversedge: Hagreen, Butters, Rothel, Wood, Leach, Riordan, McMahon, Hirst, Bugg, Markham (Newton 56), Jarrett (Toronczak 68). Subs unused: Hall, Bojang.
Referee: Ian Johnston
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