GNE advance in Macron Cup

Glossop goalkeeper Bayleigh Passant saved two penalties in the shootout to propel Glossop into the second round of the Macron cup following an entertaining 90 minutes which saw the sides level at 2-2.

Glossop began their Macron cup campaign looking to bounce back from the weekend’s league defeat to Lower Breck.  The team saw two changes to the starting lineup with local midfielder Oliver Mackay replacing Lee Rick and Joseph Berks starting in place of Marcus Wood In midfield.  The visitors, Abbey Hulton United, travelled to Glossop from the midlands in good form, winning their last five in all competitions, and were set to provide a stiff challenge.

Despite torrential rain 24 hours before the game the pitch was in good condition and the game was ON.

Glossop started brightly controlling possession and using Dylan McMahon down the right to create problems for the visitors’ defence.  Inside the opening minutes he’d had two great runs, provided quality crosses but neither GNE forward could capitalise. 

The remainder of the half was a tight affair with Glossop enjoying possession but Abbey Hulton a threat on the break with a pacy forward line.

With the game drifting towards half time the visitors were able to capitalise on a rare mistake to take the lead.  A poor square ball was intercepted high in the Glossop half and the ball was played through to forward Daniel Cocks, who was able to hold off Glossop’s defender and slot the ball into the goal.

Half time then and once again, at home, the Hillmen trailed.

The crowd of 130 called for urgency from the home side after the break and they responded well starting the half brightly. 

On 53 minutes they looked to have found a way back into the game as Tom Lawless found space in the box, his shot was parried into the path of his strike partner Keaton Mulvey, 8 yards out, and he looked set to tap home the equaliser.   As he was about to strike he went down in the box, a two handed push in the back the cause, but to the astonishment of the fans behind the goal the referee, who must have been unsighted, waved away the claims for a spot kick.
The referee’s response was different 60 seconds later though as Lawless was adjudged to have been fouled in the box and as Abbey Hulton players protested the referee pointed to the spot.
Tom Lawless picked himself up and coolly placed the penalty down the middle of the goal to bring Glossop level.

As they blushed for the winner Glossop grew in the ascendency, desperate being forced into two defensive changes resulting in Mackay and substitute Marcus Wood being moved into the back four from their midfield positions.

The away side were still a threat on the break and Glossop were grateful to Passant for a great one-on-one save, the keeper spreading himself to deny the onrushing forward.

With ten minutes remaining Glossop took the lead.  After winning the ball in midfield substitute Devin Snyder fed Lawless who slipped the ball between the two Abbey Hulton centre backs for Keaton Mulvey to race onto.  The forward lifted his composed finish over the keeper from 25 yards out and celebrated in front of the trenches with Glossop taking the lead.

Glossop looked set to see the game out but the visitors showed the resilience which has underpinned their recent run of form.  Substitute Luke Walsh was allowed to dribble past several defenders, into the box and finish smartly to draw the visitors level.

With the sides level after 90 minutes plus substantial injury time the final whistle brought about the drama of a penalty shootout.

Penalties to be taken in front in the trenches Glossop’s keeper Bayleigh Passant got the team off the the perfect start diving to his right to save the opening spot kick.

Consecutive penalties from Lee Rick, Lawless, Mulvey and Marcus Wood saw Glossop 4-3 in front heading to the final kicks. 

As the Abbey Hulton player stepped up to take the fifth spot kick, needing to score to force a final kick from Glossop, Bayleigh Passant stood tall in his goal.  Passant stayed tall, expecting the taker to look to try to score down the middle.  He was right.  As the penalty taker struck the ball Passant was well positioned to make the save.

The home fans celebrated a hard fought but well deserved victory and progress into the second round after the excitement of the penalty shootout.

Manager Richard Brodie was pleased his side had bounced back from the ‘blip’ the previous Saturday, the resilience his depleted squad had shown and the fact that victory sets them up for the forthcoming game, at home, on Saturday against Squires Gate in the league.