Match report: Belper Town vs. Glossop

BetVictor Northern Premier S/East

Belper Town 2, Glossop North End 0

 

Belper Town extended their unbeaten run in the league to four games as they comfortably beat Glossop North End at the Raygar Stadium last Saturday.

It is the Nailers’ best opening to a campaign since they went six league games undefeated in season 1998/99,

Following their gritty performance at Ilkeston on Bank Holiday Monday, manager Grant Black made one change to the starting line up with Cameron Clark coming in for the unavailable Steve Ridley.

If there had been one concerning aspect during an otherwise successful start to the season it was the fact that the Nailers had conceded questionable goals, however the last two outings since the inclusion of Phil Watt in the back four, they have looked far more solid and secure.

The game was uneventful until the 8^th minute when Nathan Curtis attempted to catch the Glossop ‘keeper off his line, but his effort went wide of the target.

The Nailers enjoyed the majority of the possession and on 17 minutes Riece Bertram went close with an effort from 8 yards that went into the side netting.

Nathan Curtis did well to get a cross in from the bye line which was met by Derry Robson whose header was deflected away for a corner kick, then the Hillmen had their first effort on goal after 24 minutes when Kayde Coppin flicked the ball off his foot, but Ryan Musselwhite dealt with it comfortably.

Glossop ‘keeper Dale Latham foiled a number of Belper’s corner kicks by palming the ball away from danger, and one particular dangerous corner kick from Craig Nelthorpe looked set for the head of Danny South before Latham intercepted.

Braulio Maeico tried his luck from the edge of the area in the 38^th minute but the ball went high and wide, and then on the stroke of half time there was an unseemly melee in front of  the Glossop dugout resulting in a yellow card for Belper’s assistant manager Mickey Norbury and one of the visiting coaching staff.

The Nailers continued to ask all the questions after the break and Craig Nelthorpe might have broken the deadlock on 53 minutes when he headed a Nathan Curtis cross over the top as he ran in the meet the ball at the far post.

Nelthorpe was instrumental in the first goal when it arrived in the 57^th minute.

Belper won a free kick on the right hand side and Nelthorpe’s perfectly flighted cross into the box was met with a firm header into the goal from Derry Robson.

The Hillmen made a double substitution and began to look a little more menacing and when Henry Limpishi lashed a shot just over the bar, and Coppin forced a good save from Ryan Musselwhite, the importance of getting a second goal was highlighted.

The Nailers recognised the need to keep pressing and Nelthorpe went close with an effort following a cross from Steve McDonnell in the 70^th minute.

Belper wobbled a bit when Nelthorpe and Curtis gave the ball away in quick succession, however the visitors were unable to take advantage in the 75^th and 75^th minutes, however calm was restored on 79 minutes when birthday boy Riece Bertram swept the ball home from 12 yards to give the Nailers breathing space.

The Hillmen set about trying to retrieve the situation and made Belper work harder in defence and the 7 minutes of added time meant that concentration levels needed to be high.

Jack Tuohy came closest to reducing the arrears with a fierce effort tipped over by Ryan Musselwhite, but the Nailers successfully managed the game to achieve a deserved victory and a clean sheet.

 

 

Belper Town: Musselwhite, Bryant, Clark, Bertram, South, Watt, Robson, Nelthorpe (Gordon 78), Peterson, Milner (McDonnell 66), Curtis (Dawes 85). Unused sub: Thompson, Kozluk

 

Glossop North End: Latham, Wilshaw, Coulibaly, Holt (Limpishi 60), Samassa, Mwakona, Ekpolo, Tuohy, Maeico (Mason 60), Coppin, Czubik (Fitton 72). Unused subs: Seosolo, Vinten

 

Referee: Dean Steatham

 

Att: 304