Northern Premier League Division One South - THE MATCH

Willenhall Town 1-7 Glapwell

Lee Gregory 9, 26, 55, 66, 82, 85

Rory Curtis 70

Ian Brown 73

'Stormed to Defeat' - Official Match Report

Glapwell striker Lee Gregory stole the headlines, scoring an incredible 6 goals to send Willenhall Town to another defeat.
In swirling winds and driving rain conditions were difficult for passing football. This was shown early on as Glapwell keeper Neil West was forced to punch the ball clear, after a clearance was helped towards his goal by the wind.
Glapwell came close 3 minutes later, Neil Grayson flicked a free kick into the area, and Lee Gregory saw his effort blocked by Steve Jackson.
On 9 minutes the same two combined to give Glapwell the lead. Grayson played a lovely chip over the last defender to set Gregory clear, the striker rounding Jackson before sliding the ball home.
Glapwell continued to come forward with Justin Burdett creating a couple of chances, firstly he crossed for Grayson, but his shot was saved by Jackson, then his through ball put Adam Kimberley clean through, again Jackson was there to thwart the effort.
But Jackson could do nothing on 26 minutes as Glapwell went 2-0 up. A cross from the left to the edge of the area saw Gregory in space on the edge of the area, his well struck half volley landing in the bottom corner.
The rest of the half saw West do well to punch an inswinging free kick clear, Todd Perry drive a 30 yard shot towards goal which was deflected out for a corner, whilst Glapwell had two efforts blocked inside the 6 yard box.

Half time: Willenhall 0 Glapwell 2

Willenhall started well in the second half, an excellent challenge by Alex Roofe saw him gain the ball in space, and his 20 yard shot had to be tipped over by West.
After Grayson had gone close for Glapwell, it was Sam Wills turn to disposes a Glapwell player, and his 20 yard shot took a deflection before bouncing through to West.
But a minute later Glapwell effectively sealed the game by going 3-0 up. A free kick on the edge of the area was curled into the bottom corner by Gregory, who sealed his hat-trick.
On the hour mark, Grayson headed just wide from a corner, and on 66 minutes the score was 4-0 as Gregory finished from inside the area.
On 69 minutes both sides went close, firstly Kimberley found himself clean thorough, but the busy Jackson did enough to block the shot, whilst for Willenhall, Sean Pugh did well to turn inside the area, and his well struck shot was well saved by West.
The result of this was a corner, and from it Shaun Findlay crossed to the near post, where Rory Curtis timed his run well and steered the ball into the net to make it 4-1.
Almost immediately after, Roofe slipped over giving away possession in a dangerous area, although Kimberley rounded the keeper, he could only shoot wide.
Glapwell went 5-1 up an 73 minutes, as substitute Ian Brown shot home from close range, whilst Willenhall’s misery was compounded on 77 minutes, Roofe receiving his marching orders for two bookable offences.
Glapwell added 2 more goals in the final 10 minutes, a free kick played short found its way to Gregory who slotted in from 10 yards, whilst Gregory added his sixth goal by being in the right place to convert a cross from the right.
He could have added another late on, but his 30 yard chip was just over the bar.

Willenhall line-up: Jackson, Roofe, Ryan, Perry, Douglin, O’Kelly, Igori (Wills), Findlay, Pugh, Curtis, Yearwood (Griffiths)

Glapwell line-up: West, Darkin, Magee (Goward), Varley, Kennedy, Tomons, Kitchen, Burdett, Grayson (Muldoon), Gregory, Kimberley (Brown).

Attendance: 53