For nearly ten years Glossop lad
Darren Hamilton has plugged away up front for the
Hillmen, in teams good and bad. It is fitting reward
then that in what could turn out to be North End’s
best finish since he came into the team – 4th
place is still a possibility after this win against
the current incumbents in that position – Hamilton
notched a 20 goal season for the first time in his
career on Saturday…and he claims it’s 21.
Number 19 came 10 minutes into
this game, after Glossop had made the brighter start
but had nevertheless been grateful to Steffan
Fielding for keeping them level just seconds before
the opener. Harris had met a long throw into the box
with a sharp turn and shot, but Fielding saved full
length at the near post. The ball was immediately
cleared upfield and as the defence hesitated, it
turned into a race between Hamilton and the keeper.
Hamilton won, nicked it past the goalie and tapped
into an empty goal, celebrating with a cheeky message
for the Glossop fans.
Hamilton was born near Glasgow
and is a die-hard Tartan-Army fan, so North End
stalwarts had been ribbing him with ‘Hammy for
England’ shouts with every goal this season. They
enjoyed his retort of a Lion Rampant t-shirt under
his lifted North End jersey.
Glossop were well on top for the
rest of the half and playing some lovely football.
On move in particular that involved Young, Whelan,
Hamilton and Acton was as fluent as you’ll see at
this level, and Acton was unlucky to shoot just over.
Not that Congleton were without
chances, and on the break Hirst was just robbed as he
shaped to shoot and then put a simple header well
wide, but on 36 minutes the lead was doubled. The
Bears gave the ball away in their own half, and
Hollin was able to play into Bailey at the edge of
the area. He twisted and turn before finding space
at the edge of the box and shooting. The ball went
through Hamilton’s legs and into the corner.
Hamilton swears he got a touch, and the crowd did
hear a noise, but the team celebrated like Bailey had
got a precious goal against his former club, and it
would be tough to take it off him.
Three crazy minutes dominated
the second half. On 62 Haddrell looked sure to cross
from a tight angle, but somehow looped the ball over
Fielding into the far corner to make it 2-1. Then
Hamilton won the ball in midfield and Gorton played
Bailey in on the right. Bailey got to the line, put
in a lovely cross for Acton, whose clever touch was
straight into Hamilton’s path for number 20. But a
minute later it was 3-2 when sloppy defending allowed
a Hirst header to dribble over the line.
Minutes later, Jardine took out
Young with a dangerous tackle as the Glossop man
looked to break. He could, perhaps should, have seen
red, but it was only a yellow. Jay Gorton also saw a
card for pushing Jardine unnecessarily, and he was to
rue this minutes later when a mis-timed tackle gave
the referee no option boot to book him. Gorton was
having a terrific game, and will hopefully learn from
the silly first yellow because from then on it was
backs to the wall for his side.
Haddrell and Johnson tried their
best but always found a body in the way to deflect,
and the one time they did get through, Fielding
pulled off a good save. Glossop’s determined efforts
had earned them the victory and 4th place
is very much in sight. A big crowd for the last home
game of the season on Saturday will help their cause.
