REPORT: A cracking result for Glossop Wasps

Hyde, Oldham & District Sunday Football League – Premier Division: Glossop Wasps 2-1 Roe Cross Simmondley

An early, well-worked goal by Luke McLauchlan and a tremendous Taylor Maguire free-kick earned a fantastic victory for the Wasps last Sunday over a solid Roe Cross Simmondley side. The result, however, was slightly marred when defender, George Lindsay, was forced off with a serious leg injury in the second-half.

The hosts got off to a flying start, taking the lead just four minutes into the contest. In-form Mason Davies again proving difficult to dispossess before he swung the ball in from the left to put it on a plate for McLauchlan, who dispatched in style after making a nice run into the area.

Sol Lester’s team also showed some resolute defending to keep out their dangerous opponents and then, on 25 minutes, the lead was extended. After being awarded a free-kick, albeit from some distance out, Maguire stepped up to take the set piece with the instruction of testing the goalkeeper but he went one better, curving a beautiful effort into the right of the goal.

Lee McNamara came close to grabbing a third on two occasions. Firstly, he was denied by a good stop at the end of a counter attack. Next, the prolific forward beat the goalkeeper with a sensational strike only to be denied, this time, by the crossbar.

Shortly ahead of the half-time whistle, the visitors halved the deficit. Lindsay was adjudged to have committed a foul in the box, and the resulting penalty was ultimately converted by Sam Mulryan.

HALF-TIME: Glossop Wasps 2-1 Roe Cross Simmondley

Not so long after the restart, the Wasps had the ball in the back of the net again but the referee blew his whistle for a foul on the goalkeeper, disallowing the goal. From a free-kick just inside the opposition’s half, Maguire hit the ball up field into the danger zone, Kieran Coggin got on the end of it and did brilliant to direct his header goalwards. This sparked a scramble in the goalmouth and although the ball was bundled home, it was the away side that came out on top, winning a free kick themselves.

At the other end, the Wasps had Darren Scowcroft to thank for a couple of sublime saves to preserve the one-goal lead.

Unfortunately, Lindsay was on the end of a heavy challenge – which had no malicious intent – forcing him off with just over 25 minutes remaining. It is expected the Wasps will be without their reliable centre back for around five months after it was later found he’d fractured his tibia.

Despite both sides coming close in the final stages, the second-half ended goalless, ensuring the win the Wasps wanted heading into another intense local derby against Howard FC.

WASPS XI: Scowcroft, Barton, Lindsay, Coggin, S. Wilson, Hallam, J. Wilson, Maguire, Davies, McLauchlan, McNamara (c).

Subs: Worlsey, Tomlinson, Thirlwell, Ball.

VIDEO: Watch Taylor Maguire's brilliant free-kick for Glossop Wasps at the top of the page.