Town pass up the chance to take over at the top (From Craven Herald)

Town pass up the chance to take over at the top

9:34pm Wednesday 21st December 2011 in Football

Glossop North End 2 Barnoldswick Town 1

Town missed a chance to go top of table when they were defeated in one of only two Premier Division games to beat the weather.

The pitch was in fairly good condition given the freezing temperature and Glossop could have taken the lead from a third-minute corner when the ball somehow managed to go right across the Town goalline with no one able to get a touch on it.

Town also had a great chance two minutes later. Neil Chapman found himself totally unmarked ten yards out, but he fired his shot straight at Ben Proctor in the Glossop goal.

Shaun Clough cleared a shot off the line as Barnoldswick repeatedly put themselves under pressure by giving the ball away with careless passes.

Glossop’s Darren Hamilton hit the outside of a post and was later thwarted by a brilliant Shaun Airey tackle.

Even the introduction of Stewart Airdrie and Liam Garbutt for Chapman and Connor Smith after 64 minutes failed to lift Town.

Two minutes later, Daley Rothwell was allowed to pick the ball up unchallenged, and he moved forward and smashed a shot past Billy Carrington from fully 30 yards.

Four minutes later it was 2-0 as Jay Gorton managed to scramble the ball home.

It wasn’t until the last 15 minutes that Town looked like they might rescue something from the match.

A brief appearance by a male streaker seemed to disturb Glossop’s concentration.

Liam Blades got to the goalline and placed a cross just past the far post where Paul Fildes headed the ball back across the goalmouth for Garbutt to hammered home.

Fildes and Aaron Hollindrake both missed chances as Town stepped up the pressure but they couldn’t force an equaliser.

Town’s management trio will be hoping the players will bounce back to form against Padiham on Boxing Day.