Golcar United manager Ash Connor is understandably delighted with how the first half of the North West Counties Division One North season has gone. The Weavers rounded off the halfway point with a 3-2 win last Saturday over Ilkley Town.
Goals from Alex Hallam (40), Ash Flynn (52, penalty) and Buddy Cox (84) gave United the victory. Flynn now has 24 goals this campaign.
The club currently sit at the top of the league table after 18 games on 42 points. However, fellow challengers Bury AFC could push them off top spot on goal difference if they beat South Liverpool on Tuesday night.
Reflecting back on the win over Ilkley, Connor said: “We played well and it was a good win to get. Alex took his goal well and I was happy for him, he’s been with us a long time now.”
Hallam grabbed the equalising goal to make it 1-1 after the visitors went ahead. A corner from Golcar led to a scramble in the box with Hallam tapping home.
Connor added: “We knew they’d be a tough team and it proved that way. Ash (Flynn) scored the penalty and then Buddy got the third goal. Buddy worked really hard for us and so I’m pleased he scored.”
The win keeps pressure on Bury AFC and Holker Old Boys at the top of the table. However Connor isn’t resting on his laurels. He is hoping the second half of the campaign can be just as fruitful as the first.
He said: “If you’d have said to me at the start of the season that we would be top of the table come the halfway point I think we would have taken that.
“There have been some awesome results from the first half of the season. The comeback against Darwen was particularly special. To come from 3-1 down and win 4-3 in what I consider to be the best atmosphere I’ve seen at the club, that was a special day.
“Other wins that stick in the mind were coming back from 2-0 down against Champion to win 3-2 away from home. Also the 6-2 win over Pilkington was impressive.
“Yes there have been some fine individual performances but it’s the team effort and quality I love. It’s the fact everyone is doing all they can for the club. From the front to the back the players have been great.”
Saturday’s attendance of 459 was Golcar’s biggest league attendance since a 1-0 victory over Shelley in October 2019. Connor is hoping his charges can keep it up when they go to AFC Darwen next Saturday.
Pictures by Huddersfield Hub photographer SEAN DOYLE
