Cup delight for Glossop

On Friday night in front of a record local crowd of nearly 700, Glossop North End Community Club’s 1st team claimed its first “Open Age” silverware in dramatic fashion.

The final was a rerun of the previous year’s game in which Tintwistle had claimed the honours, but this time Glossop were victorious. 

The young side faced very different opponents, and the game started with a high tempo from both sides with both looking to play in behind and mark their stamp on the game.

Defenders Lewis Woolstencroft and Chay Lomas defended well in this period with Charlie Goddard making some good runs with the ball, Jordan McCann looking dangerous for Tinny on the counter. 

Full backs Callum Cheetham and Ben Gove were busy to as Tinny tried to find a way through.

Glossop, playing in their change kit of orange and black got the breakthrough on 24 minutes, with Will Needham taking a shot following a neatly worked corner routine from Fergal O’Grady before fan favourite Matty Birkhead tucked away a loose ball to put his side in front.

Tintwistle did create chances from set pieces, and it was a free kick from deep in the attacking half which found Glossop No1 Aaron Potts unsighted and levelled the scores just before half time.

Glossop brought on Callum Manley at half time for Brandon Wood and had a good spell in Tintwistle’s half. 

More subs were introduced, Matty Birkhead going off injured on 57 minutes and then Ben Gove on 65 minutes, to be replaced by Theo Warwood and Johnny Gabriel. 

Alex Elliott went up front to try and hold the ball up for the oranges with Will Needham now starting to command the midfield play. 

It was a scrappy half with injuries and more free kicks, Fergal O’Grady going close and Callum Manley with a chance, but Tintwistle stayed resilient and went close with a header.

In a final throw of the dice Glossop brought on Connor Taylor-Scowcroft and Jo Jo Mills as penalties looked ever more likely.

On 90 minutes a corner was whipped in by Fergal O’Grady which was pushed out, with super sub Jo Jo Mills pouncing at the back post with a volley high into the goal to big celebrations from the Glossop North End Community Club crowd and players.

Glossop played out the remaining added minutes, creating another good chance but the late goal sealed the tie and brought the trophy back to Cemetery Road.

Following the win, Glossop North End Community Club boss Ben Mills commented: “This is a historic first open age trophy for the club which will hopefully pave the way for many more in the future. 

“It was brilliant to see so many young players watching the game and hopefully it will inspire them for years to come- they really can play for their town and play at this club at every age.”