Plenty of positives for Glasshoughton boss Rob Hunter after Sherburn White Rose win

Glasshoughton Welfare 4-1 Sherburn White Rose

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Whilst his team comfortably beat West Yorkshire League Division One side Sherburn White Rose, Glasshoughton Welfare boss Rob Hunter received two huge boosts for the new season.
Striker Greig McGrory has agreed to stay at the Welfare Ground, despite interest from Albion Sports. Hunter also captured the signing of Dan Middleton who is still trying to break into Ossett Town’s side.
Hunter has agreed an open deal with Middleton so the midfielder will continue to play and train with Evo Stik Division One North Ossett until a decision is made.
Middleton featured in Glasshoughton’s victory which saw Kieron Corley, Joel Freestone, Darrell Young and Joe Jackson find the score-sheet.
Glasshoughton kick off their Northern Counties East League Premier Division campaign next Wednesday at Staveley Miners Welfare and Hunter said: “The positives are that I have a squad of 19 players and I’ve got no injuries. Every player that signed is available to me for next week.
“Everybody has played a nucleus of four or five games and we look a reasonably fit and organised team and I can’t wait for it to start.

“I think tonight was about the fitness. I made sure everybody played at least an hour. (Captain) Daz Young has been out injured for a couple of games so he came back in and played 45 minutes in midfield and did very well.

“Joel Freestone came off the bench at half-time and he’s an exciting player. He scored one and got brought down for the fifth penalty he has got us in pre-season. He looks a real handful because he comes short and we put that ball in behind him and he seems to go pass people.

“There were a lot of pluses and they were a team that are three leagues below, but they worked really hard tonight and I’m glad they did because it made sure we had to work hard.”

Whilst Glasshoughton did have to work hard, the home side had plenty of chances and could have easily scored more times.

Inside the opening three minutes, Corley wasted a glorious chance before Calum Ward had an effort tipped over by the Sherburn goalkeeper.

It took 15 minutes to open the scoring. Striker Ward passed to Corley and he struck a fine 25-yard strike into the bottom corner.



Glasshoughton wasted further chances until Freestone scored the second goal on the hour with a similar strike to Corley’s.

An Adam Varley goal brought Sherburn back into the match, but the visitors did not build on it and Glasshoughton sealed the victory late-on.

Freestone was dragged to the ground by the Sherburn goalkeeper for a penalty which Young converted. Jackson then fired home from the edge of the box with ten minutes left on the clock for the final goal of the night.

Glasshoughton Welfare: Halpine, Beaston, D Ward, Middleton, Wilson, Chappell, McGrory, Tuck, C Ward, Clayton, Corley. Subs: Massey, Donnelly, Young, Freestone, Jackson, Edwards, Hirst.
Referee: Andy Smith