Match Report: Bury 5-1 Glossop North End

Glossop North End started the new NWCFL season with defeat at Gigg Lane on the opening day.

Glossop North End started life back in the NWCFL for the first time since 2015 this afternoon, with a trip to Bury FC at their original home, Gigg Lane. On a big occasion for the hosts, over 5,400 fans flocked into the stadium on this opening day of the league season, with a healthy travelling support from Derbyshire for the Hillmen.

Newly appointed GNE boss Mike Worthington named his first GNE side of his tenure as manager, newly signed goalkeeper Harvey Giles took up the number 1 spot, as Nathan Valentine captained the side. There were places in the starting XI for debutants Lewis Brown, David Badrock and Sean Ince, Will Hartshorne also returned to the side for the first time since the 21/22 season. There was a spot on the bench for youngster Harry Vennard as he embarked upon his second season with the senior squad.

GNE’s plan to stay in the game lasted only 6 minutes, when the hosts would take the lead. A lofted ball from Jordi Nsaka found its way to Benito Lowe, who checked his man, David Badrock, before moving onto his right foot and hitting home for the hosts. Things weren’t to improve quickly for the Hillmen, as the hosts would soon double their lead from the penalty spot just five minutes later. Sajjad Elhassan beat Will Hartshorne down the left-hand side and was brought down in the box by Hartshorne to earn the hosts a spot kick, which was neatly despatched by Benito Lowe.

There were hopes of a GNE revival as Glossop went close in the 15th minute, a cross flashed in across the box, with Sean Ince narrowly missing contact with the ball, letting it bounce just wide of the far post. Nevertheless, in the 28th minute, Bury would increase their lead to 3 goals. A Jack Tinning corner was met by Andy Briggs for a close finish to put the hosts 3-0 up within the half hour.

GNE would go close again from a dead ball in the 37th minute, a corner was headed on target but tipped onto the bar by Bury keeper Jack Atkinson, but the Hillmen went into half time 3-0 down.

The second half so the hosts start the half in a lively manner, and would take their lead to 4 goals just before the hour mark. One time GNE trialist Jordi Nsaka with a long range left footed effort slotting low into the GNE net.

GNE would find their 1 and only goal of the game from a set piece, captain Valentine won a foul on the edge of the Bury box, and the delivery was spilt by Bury keeper Atkinson, before falling to Bevan Burey to hit home inside the 6 yard box for GNE. The Hillmen could’ve added a second goal through David Badrock but his shot was easily covered.

The hosts would gain their 5th and final goal of the game in the 88th minute via a solo effort from Bury’s Jack Lenahan, who passed two GNE defenders before placing a great finish in the top corner to round the game off for the hosts.

After the game, GNE boss Michael Worthington commented that the Hillmen needed to stay in the game, but this was always going to be a difficult task after the first 10 and 30 minutes respectively. One game in 46, a long season lays ahead of the Hillmen. Whilst in perspective, one could put the game to one side, but in other ways, there are improvements to be made in the GNE camp heading into Tuesday’s visit to Irlam.