GLAPWELL FC RESULTS - 2001/02 SEASON

BUXTON

1-1

GLAPWELL

Nick Lewis 35

Att: 200
H/T: 1-1

TEAM DETAILS

MATCH STATS

GLA				BUX
ATTEMPTS AT GOAL
6				10
ATTEMPTS ON TARGET
4				4
CORNERS WON
8				10
CAUGHT OFFSIDE
0				8
FOULS COMMITTED
9				10
YELLOW CARDS
0				0
RED CARDS
0				0

Referee: Peter Carter (Ilkeston)
Assistants: Tim Lenton (South Normanton), David Wall (Alfreton)

IF the previous weeks’ performances had been something to cheer about for Glapwell, then Saturday’s showing at Buxton will be as big a boost because it proved that when things are going against the side, they can dig deep and still emerge with a positive result.

The concern that Graham Gladwin’s side went into the fixture with eight first-team regulars unavailable almost paled into insignificance as Glapwell’s luck seemed to evaporate further as the afternoon progressed.

With all three of the team’s goalkeepers unavailable, Gladwin had drafted in Chris Gordons, a youngster from Worksop Town. However, his Glapwell outing only lasted 19 minutes as a knee injury resulted in him being carried off the pitch, with midfielder John Redfern forced into the net for the remainder of the encounter.

This, added to the appalling conditions as the driving wind and rain made cohesive football impossible for either side and the fact that the visitors could not gain a true foothold at any point during the match made it an uncomfortable afternoon for Glapwell.

But, it was to the side’s credit that they managed to keep battling away all afternoon on the energy-sapping pitch to claim a point that their efforts deserved against a Buxton outfit whose lack of confidence following a winless start to the season meant they could not take advantage of Glapwell’s problems.

The unnerving nature of the afternoon began immediately when, with 45 seconds on the clock, Buxton almost took the lead when Chris Towey’s deflected effort bounced just wide of Gordon’s left-hand post.

And the mood was further dampened when Glapwell’s custodian had to leave the pitch following an incident induced by the weather.

Gordons, trying to throw the ball across field, saw it slip from his hand whereupon Towey guided an instinctive effort towards the empty net and the keeper, sliding back to intercept, collided sickeningly into the post.

With Redfern drafted in between the sticks, it was expected that Buxton would begin to pepper the visiting goal, but the onslaught never materialised.

Indeed, Buxton had to rely on a dead-ball situation to take the lead when, on 35 minutes, Nick Lewis’ lofted a 40-yard free-kick into the area which was caught by the strong wind and flew into the net over a stranded Redfern.

But, somehow, despite the poor first-half showing, Glapwell went in at the interval on level terms when their only opening period shot on target saw Danny Welch grab his first goal for the club following an excellent sweeping move which ended with a neat lay-off by Steve Dillon from Nev Silcock’s right-wing cross.

The second-period began promisingly for Glapwell as, with the wind behind them, they prevented Buxton from leaving their half, but they could only fashion one clear-cut chance, Silcock spooning over the bar from close range after good work down the left by Danny Scott.

Buxton then took a firm grip and, in a frenzied ten minute spell, should have retaken the lead, Paul Ashwell and Paul Robinson missing chances whilst a good shout for a penalty after Chris Taylor had pulled Paul Robinson to the floor was dismissed by referee Pete Carter.

Glapwell’s problems were not over, however, with vital centre-back Taylor hobbling off with an ankle injury and Buxton ended far stronger, Redfern needing to produce an excellent tip over the bar to thwart Paul Robinson whilst an unmarked Andrew Kitterick headed wide from a right hand cross.

But, the visitors managed to hold on for a point that their endeavour against the odds deserved.