My one visit to Hall Corner, Glapwell FC's ground, in 2009: a 2-0 win v Spalding...

 My one visit to Hall Corner, 

Glapwell FC's ground, in 2009...

Glapwell 2 Spalding 0

(Att: 98)

This game was controlled by Glapwell for the first period but once their left winger Kimberley had been quietened by the introduction of Spalding substitute Foster at half-time, the visitors began to make more of an impact, especially when home goalie Richmond was dismissed for handling the ball outside his penalty-area. It was, however the Well who netted a decisive late goal from a corner and the Tulips left the nearby farmyard with their petals drooping. Sadly for Glapwell, striker Brown was injured early in the match and didn’t last long but replacement Trimmer was a lively, speedy character, causing mayhem with his ability to chase and hassle the Spalding defenders.

Early untidy play was broken by Brown, who beat the slow-turning Scott on the left but a fine challenge at the near post by Duroe eased the danger. A left-wing corner by the hosts was cleared by the Tulips but with the nuisance-size of striker Jackson challenging for the ball, Kitchen’s headed effort led to Brown slicing an effort wide of the left upright. The quick feet of Kimberley, skipping along the bye-line on the left flank set up a great chance for Jackson but he only succeeded in fumbling the ball past the right post from 8 yards. 

NO ROOM INSIDE FOR THE PALLET FAMILY...

Brown was clearly struggling with an injury, suffered in the opening moments of the game and Trimmer replaced him as Well dominated.

Skipper Burdett passed left for Kimberley, who danced past the advancing ‘keeper McShane and was forced wide but his angled chip was caught at the second attempt by the recovering goalkeeper. Jackson managed to get his head to a right-wing throw but McShane smothered as he sprawled right on his goal-line. 

THE LOCAL GLAPWELL ANIMALS ARE GOOD AT READING...

Finally, Spalding threatened and with Richmond having raced left to cover striker Moore, the ball was played towards Wormall in the centre but a fine tackle by right-back Darkin saved the hosts. Almost immediately, on 26 minutes, the Well scored their first goal. 

Wilson, who generally had a quiet game, especially after the break, rose at the far post to head Kimberley’s left-wing centre over the leaping McShane, despite being one of the smaller offensive players.

OUTSIDE SHOT...

INSIDE SHOT...

Jackson headed over the bar from a clear position, 7 yards out, following left-back Goward’s cross then when the speedy Trimmer chased away on the right, McShane upended him clumsily, earning a caution. McShane then clutched a low centre by Darkin, before Jackson was again ruing his fortune by missing another opportunity from close range. Trimmer outpaced the lumbering Scott on the left, reached the bye-line and passed to Jackson, just 6 yards out but as he stretched, Jackson’s shot struck the base of the right upright and he was then denied by a challenge as the rebound rolled to him a few yards from an open goal. 

Wilson was denied a shooting chance then Varley, on the left bye-line, fed defensive partner Kitchen but McShane was down quickly to block and despite smart footwork by Kimberley in the penalty-box, his curling drive was caught by the overworked McShane.

DIDN'T WANT PRESSING, SO I SAT ELSEWHERE...

PLEASED TO KNOW WHERE I WAS...

Half-time arrived and Glapwell deserved the lead for so little had been seen of the visitors as an attacking force. True, Kitchen and Varley were strong and McGuire was powerful in midfield for Well but Burdett was also solid and Spalding found it tough to get going down the slalom slope that is Hall Corner. McShane had done fairly well and his central defenders were hacking clearances away, yet that changed somewhat after the break.

Moore was presented with a glorious chance to equalise during the opening exchanges of the second period; Kitchen and Varley, previously so tight, both appeared to miss the ball, embarrassingly and Moore was away, centrally but ‘keeper Richmond advanced to block the striker’s rather lack lustre effort. Full-back Hughes fired well over the home crossbar as the visitors sensed openings; Thompson and Moore worked another opportunity on the left but Well’s defence covered the problem then Kennedy drove well wide for the Tulips. Glapwell’s Kimberley threatened on the left then Trimmer put the winger away again but on both occasions, the Tulips’ defence cleared the danger.

FLAG-KICK AWAITED BY PLAYERS AND AN OFFICIAL IN UNOFFICIAL POSE...

Kimberley crossed for Trimmer as the hosts began to assert themselves again but although McShane fumbled the initial 18 yard effort, the ‘keeper recovered to grab the ball near his goal-line. After Hughes had been booked for Spalding, the game changed dramatically when Richmond, guarding a long ball from the Spalding defence, handled just outside the penalty-area, as Moore lurked. A linesman signalled, Richmond was sent-off and ‘keeper Matthewson replaced the tiring Wilson. 

The ensuing free-kick was deflected past the left upright and immediately, Glapwell settled the issue, on 77 minutes, from Kimberley’s left-wing corner. Aerial challenges at the near post failed and Varley coolly side-footed the ball into goal from 6 yards, almost apologetically and outwitting Scott in the process. 

ANOTHER OUTSIDE VIEW...

The unsettling pace of the willing, diminutive Trimmer set up a final chance for the awkward Jackson but the striker was again at full stretch, slipping Trimmer’s left-wing centre wide of the far post. Kennedy made a late appearance for the hosts but the game was won. 

Certainly credit goes to Varley, whose goal was a reward for a strong defensive showing; he was supported well by Kitchen but the midfield solidity was probably as important as the impregnable back line. Jackson will have more productive days but Trimmer was dangerous, despite his size and Brown’s absence was adequately compensated for. 

Sadly, the visitors failed to rise above the extremely ordinary, being served doggedly by the defence and oddly, by Scott when he moved more into midfield after the break. Wormall had been weak in the first-half, making way for Foster to attempt the nullification of Kimberley, whose skills were neat on occasions. 

The wilting Tulips bowed to the Well at the final whistle…  

...& YEAH, THE BODGING WAS THERE TOO...