Glossop North End 3 St Helens Town 4 (From St Helens Star)

Glossop North End 3 St Helens Town 4

8:57pm Sunday 10th February 2013 in Sport

 St. Helens Town won a thrilling 4-3 victory at Glossop last Saturday. The architect of the win was Chris Lomax, who was absolutely outstanding throughout and the Leeds United scouts who were at Surrey Street to look at Glossop’s leading scorer Mark Battersby, could not fail to have been impressed by the Town wingman, who has been linked with a move to Runcorn Linnets.

The game opened with a fourth minute goal from Battersby, who put the home side ahead with his 20th goal in fourteen league starts but, from that point onwards, the Town defence coped with everything he threw at them. Two minutes later, Town’s Chris Williams missed narrowly from a free kick, following a foul on Ste Edwards and after 10 minutes Town drew level, when Lomax’s corner caused havoc in the Glossop box and Craig Fitzjohn scored from Edwards’ header.

It was all St. Helens in the first half and three minutes later, Lee Crompton hit the bar from another Lomax corner. Lomax continued to tie the home defence in knots and he should have had a penalty on 22 minutes when clearly fouled on the corner of the box. The same player weaved his way through two defenders shortly afterwards, before firing narrowly wide.

Ten minutes before half-time, Fitzjohn was brought down on the edge of the box and Lomax’s free kick hit the bar, but Crompton netted the rebound to put Town 2-1 ahead and, with the last action of the first half, it should have been 3-1, after home keeper Proctor failed to hold Lomax’s shot but Edwards could only find the upright from the resultant tight angle.

Lomax came in for some rough treatment in the second half and was victim of a number of cynical challenges.

As a result, Glossop seized control and captain Lugsden equalised shortly after the re-start. Full-back Allen then put the home side 3-2 ahead 10 minutes later, but Town came roaring back.

Crompton scored his second from the corner of the box on 72 minutes, his speculative effort spooning over Proctor into the top corner to make it 3-3.

There then followed a couple of narrow escapes for Town, when first McGregor failed with a shot from a very tight angle after a poor back pass left Town keeper Lee Novak stranded out wide and then Bond headed just wide when it appeared easier for him to score.

The stage was therefore set for a grandstand finish and, this time, Town did not disappoint. Four minutes into added time, the ball was thumped into the Glossop half, with Edwards and Lomax up against one defender and the goalkeeper.

Edwards drew the centre half and placed a glorious pass at the feet of Lomax who, fittingly, slotted calmly past the onrushing Proctor to seal the spoils.

Town play hosts to Silsden FC at Edge Green Street, Ashton on Saturday 16th February, kick off 3.00pm before making the short trip to Runcorn Town on Monday 18 February, kick off 7.45pm