GNE see off New Mills to take derby spoils

Debutant Nathal Fontaine came off the bench on Tuesday to score the two goals which fired Glossop North End into the next round of the Derbyshire Senior Cup against local rivals New Mills. 

The Hillmen were able to turn around a half time deficit to secure their first win in five and progress in the competition in which they reached the final, at Pride Park last season. 

Having exited three cup competitions at the opening round stage earlier in the season there was pressure and expectation on GNE manager Lee Wilshaw, whose match day squad included a return for central defender Niall Fallon, in place of the absent captain Olly Parker, and striker Nathal Fontaine, a dual registration signing from Stalybridge Celtic who started on the bench. 

The visiting Millers had former GNE defender Josh Lowe in defence and the goalkeeper who had starred for GNE last season, Joey Oldham between the sticks. 

The home side started confidently, controlling possession and probing for the opening goal. 

Their best chances in the initial phases of the game came from Owen Warburton corners. 

An out-swinging corner was headed goalwards by Fallon but was well saved by Oldham. 

Minutes later another corner was half cleared to Kvaternik, on the edge of the box, who fired a shot into the ground, and it bounced just over the Millers’ crossbar. 

Despite being in control, the home side conceded the lead on 25 minutes. 

After GNE lost possession in midfield New Mills played the ball forward, a headed clearance fell to a Miller whose ball in between Fallon and McMahon saw winger Akim Sams race onto it, carry into the box and finish superbly off the inside netting, to give the visitors a lead against the run of play. 

The Hillmen posed a threat in wide areas but were unable to carve out any clear-cut chances to trouble Oldham and the Millers ended the half in front in the derby. 

Glossop started the second half well and had a great chance to equalise straight after the break. 

Good play down the right saw man of the match Owen Warburton thread the ball through to Kaleb Parkinson whose square ball into the box was turned goalwards by striker Ethan Sutcliffe, his effort well saved by Oldham’s right boot. 

As Glossop pressed for the equaliser Wilshaw turned to his substitutes. Sami replaced Gorre as GNE enjoyed spells of possession without creating any clear-cut opportunities. 

Into the last thirty minutes and with the heavens opening Glossop continued to build their pressure. 

They were patient in possession and worked the ball well, but were unable to unlock a resilient defence. 

With the rain pouring, GNE strived for an equaliser - it came on 75 minutes. 

Substitute Fontaine was able to control a ball into him on his chest and find a calm finish into the bottom corner of the goal in front of the trenches before wheeling away to celebrate in front of them. 

Relief, joy, the fans celebrated and drove their team forward. 

Into the final fifteen with both sides looking to win it and avoid penalties. 

A Sutcliffe header went wide as he failed to make a good connection six yards out, centre of goal. 

At the other end, ten minutes to go and Ollie Martin made a huge save, one on one to keep the scores level after another Millers counter attack had broken the GNE back line. 

Six minutes of normal time remaining and the Hillmen were able to get themselves in front. 

A delicious cross from the right found Fontaine again, in the right place at the right time, half a yard ahead of his marker and he steered the ball into the back of the net for a proper striker’s goal. 

As he and his teammates celebrated together in front of the entrance to the clubhouse, chants of “We are GNE” rang loudly around the ground from the majority of the 450 in attendance. 

The home side were able to see out the remaining moments of the game and secure progression into the next round of the cup. 

A big result which Wilshaw hopes will help reset the side’s fortunes ahead of two winnable league games.