Glossop knocked out of FA Trophy

FA Trophy preliminary round: Pontefract Collieries 2-0 Glossop North End 

It was a disappointing Non League Day for Glossop North End, who exited the FA Trophy at the first hurdle after suffering a 2-0 defeat at Pontefract Collieries on Saturday afternoon. 

Goals in each half from Connor Smythe and Vaughan Redford gave The Colls victory in the preliminary-round tie, as they progress to the first qualifying round on 26 October. 

Glossop’s Joel Mills, who was an unused substitute, was shown a straight red card after things got heated between the two dugouts towards the end of a fractious contest. 

The loss meant the Hillmen have been knocked out of two cup competitions this season by the West Yorkshire outfit, who won 3-1 at the Amdec Forklift Stadium in the FA Cup first qualifying round last month. 

With the spotlight on non-league football, 154 fans turned out at the Football Family Stadium, for what was Glossop’s first FA Trophy fixture since a 5-1 defeat at Workington in the third qualifying round in November 2017. 

It was the hosts who started brightly, however. Michael Dunn was denied twice in the opening four minutes, first by the crossbar and then by a smart save from Glossop keeper Dale Latham from corners by captain Jamie Williams. 

Their early pressure brought the opening goal on six minutes. Jameel Ible’s long diagonal ball forward from the halfway line picked out Smythe, who brought it down and drilled a left-footed shot into the bottom corner on the half volley. 

Williams' corners continued to cause problems as Jack Greenhough headed over from another delivery. 

The Colls were largely on top but their goalkeeper Sebastian Malkowski was forced into action midway through the first half to save at the feet of Reward Mwakona, as a free-kick from the left went all of the way to the far post. 

The hosts threatened again as Gavin Rothery fired over from close range after latching on to Dunn's poked pass before Dunn's low cross across the face of goal forced Mwakona to take evasive action inside his own six-yard box to clear the ball. 

Porya Ahmadi then skewed an effort over the top for Glossop, after profiting from a good driving run through the middle by Prince Ekpolo shortly before the break. 

But the hosts doubled their advantage two minutes into the second half as Jack Greenhough was played in down the right and he fired the ball low across the goal for Redford to slot home. 

Glossop responded and Mohammed Sheriff was thwarted by the feet of Malkowski at the back post, after good work down the left by Bevan Burey and then Ahmadi. 

At the other end, a stinging volley from Greenhough took a slight deflection off a Glossop defender before striking the post just before the hour mark. 

Another chance fell Glossop’s way almost immediately, when the Colls defence failed to deal with a cross, but Ahmadi slashed a shot off target. 

A scrappy second half was largely disrupted by fouls and stoppages and things boiled over even off the pitch.

A fracas between the dugouts saw referee Lee Hible flash a red card in the direction of Glossop midfielder Mills on the bench in the 75th minute. 

The visitors continued to search for a goal in the closing stages but it proved elusive as the Hillmen’s FA Trophy campaign came to an end already and their recent struggles on their travels went on. 

Next up for Pete Band and Lloyd Morrison’s side is a trip to Wisbech Town on Saturday in the BetVictor South East Division as they return to league matters.

Images by Steve Dyson