Glasshoughton Welfare crash out of FA Vase to Armthorpe Welfare

Jay Rollins after scoring his first goal

Glasshoughton Welfare 1-4 Armthorpe Welfare

By James Grayson (Twitter: @jamesAgrayson)

Match Photos are HERE

Frustrated Glasshoughton boss Rob Hunter described his team’s FA Vase second-qualifying defeat to Armthorpe as the worst performance so far this season.
Jay Rollins scored twice inside three minutes to give Armthorpe a 2-0 half-time lead at Leeds Road as Glasshoughton failed to put their mark on the game.
A Joel Freeston header with 15 minutes left gave Glasshoughton hope, but Kieron Benson quickly scored to restore the two-goal advantage. And with 84 minutes on the clock, Rollins completed a deserved hat-trick and round off Armthorpe’s victory.
Former Askern Villa boss Brian Johnston’s men are now in Monday’s draw for the third-qualifying round and Hunter had no complaints.

“That is the worst we have played this season and it is bitterly disappointing,” he said.
“Too many players didn’t turn up on the day and I think at this level players have to be well-organised and have the right attitude before the game. I think too many players went into the game half-hearted and without the right attitude.
“We deservedly got beat 4-1. We have had a 20 minute spell where we pulled a goal back and looked like we were going to get another. But, on the day, they were better than us.
“The first half performance, I would go so far to say, was the worst 45 minutes I have been involved in since I came to the club. We looked a shambles and in defence and midfield we didn’t work hard enough.
“Both of their (first half) goals were the same type of goal where we have had our centre-half isolated and the full-back were too square. The other centre-half hasn’t been close enough to get round. The ball went in the air and they reacted quicker than us.
“It’s very frustrating, but let’s put it into context. We have had such a tough start (due to playing the first eight league games away from home due to cricket) and we had some players missing today. We have travelled and travelled and had four wins and a draw from eight league games and that’s respectable. But it has taken its toll.”

Glasshoughton were extremely poor in the first half and conceded the first sloppy goal after just a quarter of an hour on the clock. Centre-halves Alex Low and Matt Donnelly failed to deal with the long ball and Rollins nipped in to beat goalkeeper Paul Hagreen from the edge of the box with a powerful shot.
Welfare then pressed the self-destruct button. Ex Knaresborough Town man Donnelly’s wild clearance came back off his own player and gave Rollins a chance to run at goal. Donnelly tracked back, but Rollins was able to turn and slot the ball past Hagreen.
Rollins was proving to be a real thorn in Glasshoughton’s side and had a couple more chance to score a first-half hat-trick. All Glasshoughton could manage was a long range Russell Headley attempt. Leading scorer Calum Ward looked isolated upfront and Glasshoughton definitely missed the physical presence of Rob Pell.
After surviving conceding a third-goal, Glasshoughton were a little better in the second half. Freeston was the man having most of the chances and he wasted two fantastic opportunities to score – the first being a run which ended with a save from goalkeeper Biggs.

Joel Freeston scores for Glasshoughton

The striker then blazed over from close range when it seemed easier to score. Freeston did make amends as he headed his captain Darrell Young’s free kick past William Biggs to suddenly drag Glasshoughton back into the game.
A comeback seemed inevitable, but Armthorpe were quick to ensure one was not forthcoming. Benson rose to beat Hagreen with a header and that was the tie won.
The game was lost for Glasshoughton, but there was still time for Rollins to outmuscle Low and then get round Hagreen before tapping the ball into the empty net.
Apart from the defeat, the other blow for Glasshoughton were the injuries to Darrell Young, Russell Headley and Liam Tuck who join David Ward, Reece Chappell and John Hirst as doubts for Tuesday’s home league game with Worksop Parramore.
Manager Hunter does have new signing Darol Lucas, who replaces the departed Dan Middleton, available
Glasshoughton Welfare: Hagreen, Beaston, Edwards, Tuck, Low, Donnelly, McGrory (Corley 60), Young (captain), C Ward, Headley (Chappell 89), Freeston. Subs unused: Hirst, D Ward.
Armthorpe Welfare: Biggs, Tunney, Garner, Smith, Morley, Johnston, Taylor, Mirfin, Rollins (Boyd 86), Preston (Benson HT), Buck (Ryan 80). Subs unused: Davies, Kurde.
Referee: S Wade
Man of the match: Jay Rollins (Armthorpe Welfare)