Match Report: Squires Gate 0-2 Glossop North End

Glossop rounded off their 2024/25 North West Counties Premier League away games with a convincing 2-0 win at relegation bound Squires Gate, on a beautiful spring afternoon in the Blackpool sunshine, thanks to goals from Lew Reilly and Lee Rick.

In a rather mundane first half, with both sides struggling with the bounce and the pitch, there was little in the way of goal scoring opportunities.  

What chances there were fell Glossop’s way. 

 Half way through the opening period and it was good work down the left from Keaton Mulvey, whose driving run into the box and cross saw Lew Reilly scoop an effort just over the bar.  

Just before half time an in swinging corner from Mulvey caused confusion in the box, the ball fell to Jack Hopkins, but his goal bound effort was blocked on the line and cleared to safety.

Goalless at half time with neither goalkeeper really troubled, except with the surface when balls were played back to them.

Glossop were out promptly for the second half, looking to score against the league’s worst defence and find the necessary quality to do so. They didn’t have to wait long.  

On 53 minutes an attack down the right saw the lively Worsley, who was a threat going forward all half, drill a diagonal ball to Lew Reilly on the left hand edge of the box.  

His instant control saw him move towards the byline, he cut inside onto his right foot and unleashed a shot which arrowed into the top corner, in front of the GNE fans, to give the Hillmen the lead.  

That was the 113th goal conceded by the hosts this campaign.  

The goal settled any seaside nerves and Glossop quickly grew in ascendency.  

Smart work from Abdul Djalo, enjoying space in midfield, but not the overly aggressive attention he received all afternoon, flicked the ball out to Worsley. 

He drove into the box, found Conal Gallagher in space and his right footed effort seemed bound for the bottom corner of the goal but for a smart low save by ‘keeper Nathan Pennington. 

Moments later it was an attack down the left which saw fellow wingback Aeron Beardsley’s cross headed goal wards by Mulvey, under pressure, drawing another save.

Despite their rock bottom league position goal scoring hasn’t been a major problem for the hosts.  

Their tally of 66 goals in the campaign going into the game was better than eight out of the ten teams immediately above them, including Glossop.  

On this occasion however their brutish attack was blunted all afternoon by Hopkins, Parker and McMahon.  

Alex Brown did what was needed of him to give a solid platform but in truth he was rarely tested.  

There were a couple of efforts from range, including a free kick which saw his handling impeccable on the challenging surface. 

Despite the ease with which Glossop contained the hosts there was always the threat that one goal, and several missed chances, wouldn’t be enough for the win.  

A long ball out of defence then saw Richard Brodie, on for goalscorer Reilly, flick the ball on and Worsley time his run in behind well.  

He should have scored the goal which would have capped his excellent performance but he tried to take the shot early as the ball bounced and his effort struck the post and rolled to safety.  

As Squires Gate broke, they won themselves a late corner.  

Up went the ‘keeper but Glossop stood resolute, cleared the ball and broke towards a ‘keeper-less goal.  

The ball was well worked to substitute Lawless who beat a man in the box and was hacked down for one of the easiest penalty decisions a referee could wish to be presented with.  

The ball was in the hands of Lee Rick, the designated taker when Lew Reilly isn’t on the pitch, he wanted Brodie to take it, Brodie handed it to Lawless and then, in a flash, it was back with Rick.  

He did what he has done from the spot all season and calmly converted the chance to put Glossop two goals in front with a handful of seconds left in the game.

Full time and Brodie’s men had defeated Squires Gate with a thoroughly dominant second half display to claim the clean sheet and the three points.