No.29 – Sat. 18th November 2006; FA Vase 2nd Round                                   3pm at the Glasshoughton Centre, Leeds Road, Glasshoughton, Castleford, W.Yks (att: 72; prog: 28pp £1)  View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20  Glasshoughton Welfare (0) 2  Atherton Collieries (0) 1      Welfare thank Codd for Vase victory          Glasshoughton Welfare Football Club, members of the Northern Counties East League, play at the Glasshoughton Centre in Leeds Road. This magnificent facility with its large windows and modern barrel roof was built in 2003 and serves the local community through sport, educational, social and fundraising activities. The adjacent football ground which is fully enclosed behind a high breeze block wall, is well appointed with floodlights, a concrete post and rail fence and hardstanding around the pitch. There is a robust stand behind one goal with a more basic structure along the far side offering several rows of bench seating; a grass embankment and row of trees offer an appealing aspect.   The game was a real cracker with loads of chances at each end. After a goalless first half, 'Welfare took the lead when a low cross into the area was deflected by a defender past his ‘keeper; the stranded stopper could only look on as the ball agonisingly trickled over the goal line and into the empty net. The hosts then missed a penalty. This seemed to spur the visitors on and it was no surprise when parity was restored five minutes later after some neat build up play led to close range tap in. The Mancunians were black in it. The winner came ten minutes from time when Danny King beat the offside trap and flicked the ball over the advancing ‘keeper. Visiting fans were not impressed with the officials, claiming they had clearly missed a blatant 'offside'. One 'mouth' offered to lend the referees' assistant his spectacles!! Oh the joys of hopping!   With time running out Atherton rallied with a massed assault on the Welfare goal. But Carl Codd was in splendid form. He certainly came to the rescue with several magnificent saves including one point blank stop which would have graced many a higher level fixture. When the final whistle sounded we breathed a sigh of relief having escaped thirty minutes of extra-time, increasing cold weather and the wrath of daughter Jo who needed to be in Bury St.Edmunds for a rock concert at 7.30pm!. Thank Codd!    The game was attended by seventy or so spectators who paid £4 for admission and a £1 for a glossy covered 32 page programme. Refreshments were available from a small kitchen area in the Centre during the game. Despite the lack of hot food we made up for this with some proper 'Northern' haddock (sorry Carl) and chips bought from a fine greasy spoon establishment just up the road.    Travellers will find the club an easy one to reach. It is only a couple of miles from junction 32 of the M62. It is close to Castleford town centre and the Xscape, a large entertainment complex which provides a useful landmark and is signposted as you approach the motorway junction.   A great day out. A visit to the Welfare comes highly recommended .           FGIF Rating: 4*  Links - Map