Oldham stunner caps Welfare victory

Toolstation NCEL Division One

Glasshoughton Welfare 2-0 FC Bolsover

Rob Oldham struck a goal of the season contender to seal a deserved second victory in three games for rejuvenated Glasshoughton Welfare, who celebrated their first home win of the campaign.

Described as a player of exceptional quality a few weeks ago, Oldham lived up to that billing with an absolute beauty in the second half to kill off a poor Bolsover side.

Welfare have been like a team reborn in the last three matches. The epic 5-4 victory at Rossington last week has clearly lifted confidence. Going forward, with real pace down the flanks, Glasshoughton are now a real handful.

Bolsover were unfortunate to be behind at the break. Although it was tight, Bolsover enjoyed a five minute spell on top around the half-hour mark.

Welfare were able to ride out the storm and go onto land an ultimate sucker punch. That came from Andy Horbury’s flick-on which sent electric frontman Mitch Wilshire away. Wilshere finished coolly as Bolsover’s goalkeeper raced out.

Bolsover offered nothing in response. A number of their players simply spent the second half constantly haranguing the excellent referee John Blades and several Glasshoughton players, spouting bad language. Two of them arguably should have been sent off. Based on their second half display, the only thing Bolsover look capable of winning is the poor discipline awards each week.

Although it was early in the second half, Welfare’s second goal put Bolsover out of their misery. Oldham, a recent signing from Worsbrough Bridge, attacked down the left and from 25-yards, unleashed a powerful missile which thundered into the right-hand top corner.

Whilst it was a shame that Glasshoughton were unable to put a few more past their poor visitors, Oldham’s wonder strike was a fitting goal to win the game.

There were chances.

Connor Rollinson was inches away from adding a third, while Oldham let off another thunderbolt in the last few minutes which came back off the inside of the post.

Glasshoughton’s game management in the last half-hour was excellent – with the introduction of substitute Lewis Akeister being a key moment as the tactical move made their midfield rock solid.

It all bodes well for the Leeds Road outfit, but they’ll have to cope without their talismanic forward Ryan Poskitt – the Showman – for four games as he is now suspended.

The Team

Glasshoughton Welfare: Zaniewski, Marsh, Oldham, Hunter, McManus (captain), Walsh, Rollinson, Glavin, Horbury (Akeister 78), Poskitt, Wilshire (Bucknall 81). Subs unused: Card, Cuncliffe, Tonkinson.

Who Was In Charge

John Blades (10/10)

Mr Blades handled the game brilliantly. There were a few tasty challenges and instead of flapping and getting the decision wrong like too many do, he correctly dealt with them all in a calm way and in many cases without showing a card. He also had the bottle to deal with a number of Bolsover players who constantly displayed dissent.

Man of the Match

Rob Oldham (Glasshoughton Welfare)