Hillmen Have Lift-Off

Glossop kicked off the new season with a 1-0 victory over City of Liverpool at the Amdec Forklift Stadium.

The decisive goal arrived just one minute into the second half when Luke Nock, who joined from Stockport County, capitalised from close range to give the Hillmen a hard fought three points.

In a hotly contested encounter in front of 219 fans, it was Glossop who created the first chance of the game when a teasing free kick caused a mele in the box that was eventually scrambled to safety.

Two minutes later and it was Matty Gillam who came close to scoring, however the striker’s effort when through on goal was well saved by the visitors’ ‘keeper. It was to be Gillam’s last involvement in the game as the former Rochdale man was forced to leave the pitch through injury in the 18th minute.

Gillam was forced to leave the pitch through injury in the 18th minute and the 

In the 25th minute Harry Freedman  had a great chance to open the scoring, however his effort was prodded just wide of the target.

The Hillmen were given a great opportunity in the 32nd minute when Liverpool’s X was given a straight red card for kicking out at Glossop’s Lee Wilshaw.

Despite the numerical advantage, it took Glossop until the 46th minute to find the back of the net. Freedman’s shot rebounded into the path of Nock who had the easy task of poking home from close range.

Stuart Mellish’s side came close to doubling their lead midway through the second half, but Freedman’s effort forced a great save out of the Liverpool shot stopper to keep the Purples chances alive.

The referee was called into action in the 75th minute when a Liverpool corner drew claims of a handball. The man in black waved away the appeals to the  visitors’ dismay.

The visitors piled on the pressure in the dying stages of the game and they were given some much-needed encouragement when Wilshaw was sent off for dragging down a Liverpool attacker, which led to a penalty. Burke stepped up to take the spot kick but, to the relief of the Glossop faithful, sent his effort wide of the post

In the 83rd minute saw Glossop’s captain Wilshaw sent off and a penalty given as he hauled down a Liverpool attacker, however he took his time coming off, to the annoyance of the fans, and ultimately this must have put off Burke as he sent his spot kick wide of the post.

Despite a nervy ending, Glossop handled the situation well and held out for the victory.

Full-time result: Glossop North End 1-0 City of Liverpool

Picture by Steve Dyson