GLAPWELL FC RESULTS - 2001/02 SEASON

GRANTHAM TOWN

3-2

GLAPWELL

Jon Hawley 72
Tony Simmons 80
Lee Marshall 82

Att: 279
H/T: 0-2

TEAM DETAILS

GLAPWELL
1	Neil Etheridge 7.50
2	Martin Rowbottom 8.25
3	Martyn Bicknell 7.75	S68
4	Simon Poxon (c) 8.50
5	Chris Taylor 8.50
6	John Redfern 7.50
7	Adie Carter 8.50
8	Freddie Morgan 7.50
9	Nathan Booth 7.50
10	Steve Dillon 7.50
11	Gary Page 7.50
12	Michael Davy
14	Nev Silcock
15	Chris Parr
16	Danny Scott 5.25	S68
17	Lee Rhodes

MATCH STATS

GLA				GRA
ATTEMPTS AT GOAL
6				17
ATTEMPTS ON TARGET
5				5
CORNERS WON
2				13
CAUGHT OFFSIDE
0				2
FOULS COMMITTED
14				7
YELLOW CARDS
1				0
RED CARDS
0				0

Referee: P Casswell (Leicester)
Assistants: P Smith (Leicester), S. King (Melton Mowbray).

SO, so near. That was the frustrated feeling of the visiting support as Glapwell travelled to Grantham Town and were eighteen minutes away from dumping the Dr Martens Eastern Division leaders out of the competition.

There were so many “what ifs” and “maybes” to the match, including was the substitution of left-back Martyn Bicknell on 68 minutes the turning-point as a tiring Gary Page took his place and the hosts prospered with their first two goals coming from someone nipping in unmarked at the far post from a left-hand cross.

And, the crucial equalising goal from Grantham, where substitute Rick Wright collided with Neil Etheridge, the result of which saw the keeper drop the ball for an easy tap-in for the hosts, would have been disallowed on another day with a different referee.

But, it proved, despite an immensely brave effort from the Hall Corner side, not to be their day and, although the overriding feeling was of sheer disappointment, there is no doubt that this will be put down as one of Glapwell’s greatest ever performances.

For 70 minutes, they had the home side truly worried because, although Grantham were enjoying the majority of possession, it was Glapwell who looked the most threatening in attack and the most impenetrable in defence.

Both these aspects of Glapwell’s play were helped with the return of three key players to the line-up, goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and centre-back Chris Taylor making their season debuts whilst Nathan Booth returned up-front.

And, on 9 minutes, Glapwell came close to taking the lead, Freddie Morgan’s well-hit shot was parried behind by Mario Ziccardi after Adie Carter, as he did for the entire first-half, tormented Grantham down the right wing.

But, from the resultant Page corner, the visitors earned their reward from a Taylor header.

Grantham then produced great spells of pressure but the fact that they could not manufacture one shot on target was of great testament to the Glapwell back-line. And, when the visitors sprung forward, Ziccardi needed to be on good form to deny them a greater lead.

Firstly, on 19, the keeper had to do well to prevent a diverted Martin Rowbottom cross from crossing the line and then had to produce a good block to frustrate Booth later in the period.

Then, on 41, Glapwell’s greater attacking punch brought a second goal as Page’s free-kick was deflected up into the air by Steve Dillon and, as the home defence stood and watched, Booth nodded home past Ziccardi.

The second-half, however, saw more sustained pressure from the home side and, as Glapwell tired, the fightback became more likely.

Glapwell did have a couple of opportunities - Carter was through on goal but his lob over the keeper was agonisingly off-target, whilst Booth found himself one-on-one with Ziccardi but he was thwarted by the custodian - but Grantham were beginning to fully boss the proceedings.

Etheridge was called upon to make a good save from Lee Marshall before the winger failed to convert from close range following a corner.

And, on 72, Grantham got their breakthrough, Jon Hawley curling a precise shot from just inside the box following a Gary Bull cross.

Eight minutes later came the controversy as Tony Simmons prodded home from six yards after Etheridge’s dropped catch under duress from Wright.

And, as Glapwell’s heads dropped, the Gingerbreads took the lead in the next attack, Lee Marshall lifting the ball delicately over Etheridge following a headed pass from Danny George.