N C East League Cup – Rnd 3                           Tue. 11 Jan 2005

GLASSHOUGHTON WELFARE    1                GOOLE FC   3                                     

GLASSHOUGHTON EXITED THE LEAGUE CUP ON THE BACK OF A CONTROVERSIAL PENALTY DECISION AND THE SUBSEQUENT DISMISSAL OF INFLUENTIAL CENTRAL DEFENDER PAUL MATTISON MINUTES IN TO THE SECOND PERIOD OF THE GAME

Welfare were much the more positive team during the first half with Lee Parker failing narrowly to convert after Remo Nesa had gone to the bye line to cross within the opening minutes.  New signing Chris Newton was put clear but failed to beat keeper Simon Cook and the same player looked to have beaten Cook with a bending left side shot, the keeper taking very late.  Welfare were making the running and it was no surprise when they went ahead on 20 minutes, Carl Fox getting on to a perfect through ball to side foot past the advancing Cook.  As Goole settled the game became an absorbing end to end encounter but although Welfare were required to defend in depth they went to the interval with central defenders Richard Dobson and Paul Mattison appearing comfortable.

Within minutes of the interval restart the visitors were presented a life line which had hitherto looked unlikely, the match official unbelievably adjudging that in a crowded goal mouth Welfare’s Mattison had somehow denied the visitors Weatherell a goal scoring opportunity, and from the resultant penalty kick Gary Shaw put Goole back in the game, and Welfare’s hopes were further diminished by the dismissal of Mattison.

The double incident turned the game on it’s head and from then on despite the introduction of new striker Jamie Russell and midfielder Paul Arkle Welfare were never in the game as a strike force, the added responsibility of covering for the extra man proving too much and it was inevitable that with the visitors going forward in waves they would open up the stubborn but beleaguered home defence and after 68 minutes despite getting a touch to a Tony Weatherill low drive keeper Marc Shackelton was unable to deny Goole the lead.  Welfare laid claim for a penalty themselves as Russell appeared to be held down at a corner kick, but in the closing stages Goole put the tie beyond doubt, Steve Davey playing substitute Ben Eastwood in to drive past the despairing Shackelton, and leave a unhappy Welfare to ponder on what the outcome may have been without the controversial incident.