ON paper this looked a tricky match for the Hillmen, especially given that the Boxing Day clash with New Mills may have been at the back of their minds.

However, on the grass, it was a rout with a scoreline that, if anything, flattered the home side.

The scoring should have started on eight minutes when Rick Bailey turned Crorken and sprinted into the box.

The left back was treading water behind and desperately dived in to bring the Glossop man down, but the referee was the only person who did not think it was a penalty.

Bailey earned his reward 10 minutes later though, collecting the ball 20 yards out before twisting and turning at the edge of the area.

Looking to find room for his shot, he eventually got a strike away that deflected off the back of Throup and into the net.

The rest of the half drifted a little as Glossop looked to add to their tally, while Colne had their best spell without truly threatening.

It was enough though for North End supporters to be more than aware that a one-goal lead was not enough.

That feeling continued into the second half as Glossop dominated the match, but chances went begging.

Darren Hamilton’s shot on the turn was weak, Whelan saw a shot blocked, Bailey was also denied by the keeper, Nick Allen’s dipping effort was just over and Sam Hind hit the side netting when he should have been on target.

There was even an almighty goalmouth scramble that led to claims that the ball was over the line.

Finally the breakthrough came on 76 minutes when Dave Hodges got behind the defence on the left and drilled in a delicious low cross that Hamilton simply had to divert past the keeper.

The goal opened the floodgates as two minutes later, Dave Young played a crossfield ball into Hodges’ path and the winger did not have to break stride before firing high into the net.

Three minutes after that, Hodges notched his 12th of the season, this time heading home a Young cross when unmarked in the centre of the area.

The fifth came with five minutes to go when Martin Parker headed a free kick high across goal and Hind watched the ball drop before volleying a low shot into the net.

That might not have been the end of the scoring as Bailey twice nearly added another, as did Parker.

However, they would have quite happily taken their biggest league win of the season before the kick-off.

Attendance: 80
Jonathan Haggart

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