Glossop CC 1st XI off to a Winning Start in the GMCL Championship
Glossop Cricket Club’s 1st XI kicked off their 2025 GMCL Championship campaign in style on Saturday with a confident 7-wicket victory away at Moorside. Chasing 126 for victory, Glossop reached their target in just under 30 overs, led by a composed half-century from Matt Sonczak
and a polished unbeaten 34 from captain Chris Gill.
The day heralded the start of a new era for Glossop with four players made their 1st XI league debuts — Owais Shah, Max Hatzoglou, Digby Evans, and Tom Lane
— all talented cricketers in their own right, signalling some exciting times ahead at North Road.
With the sun shining and conditions helpful for seam bowling, Moorside won the toss and elected to bat first. Glossop’s bowling attack, featuring a mix of youth and experience, wasted little time in making inroads. The standout performer was debutant Digby Evans, who bowled with excellent rhythm and control to finish with superb figures of 4 for 24 from 8.2 overs. Evans struck early and returned later in the innings to clean up the tail, showing maturity beyond his years.
James Eyre
chipped in with 2 for 18 in a probing 7-over spell, while William Hargreaves
supported brilliantly with 3 for 28. Fresh from a stint Down Under, Matt Sonczak
also claimed a wicket and helped dry up the runs in the middle overs. Tom Lane, also making his debut, bowled with genuine pace and was unlucky not to pick up a wicket, ending with figures of 0 for 27 from 8 overs — a performance that bodes well for the season ahead.
Moorside were eventually dismissed for 125 in 48.2 overs.
In reply, Glossop lost debutant Owais Shah early for 4, bowled by Saqib. Max Hatzoglou
also was adjudged LBW, although early days both players have a pedigree which means that they’ll settle quickly at this level. When David Wilde
was trapped lbw for 17, Glossop found themselves at 45 for 3, but any nerves were quickly settled by the experienced pair of Gill and Sonczak.
Their unbroken 81-run partnership saw the visitors home without further loss. Gill played the anchor role, guiding the innings with authority, while Sonczak took the attack to the bowlers with a fluent 51* off just 55 deliveries — striking seven boundaries and a six.
It was a commanding win for Glossop, underpinned by an excellent bowling performance and a calm chase under pressure. The debutants brought fresh energy and enthusiasm, and with such a strong team performance to build from, confidence will be high heading into the next round of fixtures.
The 1st XI return to North Road this coming Saturday vs Greenfield where they’ll look to continue their winning start in front of the home crowd.
Glossop Cricket Club are proud to annouce a new women's softball team for the upcoming season. Playing a mixture of competitive matches and social festival and tournaments - something for everyone. Outdoor training will take place on Sundays in September. Winter training will start on Sunday 26th October at Glossopdale School (3-4pm) Please contact secretary@glossopcc.co.uk for further details.
Match Report: Hayfield Nomads v Glossop Vets (26th August 2025) Play Cricket Scorecard On a beautiful Tuesday evening, Glossop Vets made the short journey over Chunal to play the Nomads - their last game of the season. Expectation was high and spirits were up, the Vets really wanted to put on a show ….and the fans that travelled were not disappointed. Glossop welcomed Liam Amos and Dan Keeley for their debuts, the Nomads were put into bat and Glossop set about trying to keep them down to a small total on the undulating ground with one of the smallest boundaries seen all season. Glossop opened with Jay Allen and Sam Alder. Alder looked a little rusty due to a short lay off, but still had a few magic deliveries. Allen looked a bit stiff after his 5 over spell for the 3rds but managed to keep the Nomads down to 21 runs in the first 4. Ted Mitchell and Dan Keeley were next up. Both turned the screw with superb line and length and both were rewarded. Mitchell first with a fizzing delivery that was knocked high back towards him, he managed to back pedal and hold off the challenge from Ste Kirkham to take a high catch off his own bowling. Keeley next, superb full length delivery taking the stumps out the ground…the pair had bowled 4 overs, took 2 wickets for 7 runs combined. Nomads were under pressure. Steve Kirkham and Dave Allen bowled the next set. Kirkham steady. Allen bowling with his usual unusual run up causing issues and managed to sneak one through the gate for the Vets 3rd wicket. But this brought Nomads middle order to the crease - and their middle order is dangerous. Liam Amos and Tim Halpin had to try come up with some plans to take some quick wickets and it was Amos who struck. A full straight delivery nipping the bails off. The danger man was gone…unfortunatly this brought the other danger man to the crease and he didn't hold back, hitting a quick 20. Halpin bowled well, showing last year's form..the vets hoping he can take this into next season. Due to some expansive hitting the Nomads were on 122 off 16 overs and at risk of posting a big total. Rick Marsden and Taylor bowled the last 4. Both were tight. Taylor took 3 quick wickets for 1 run and Marsden closed down his end only going for 3 runs and bowling a maiden for the 20th over. Fielding was on point and the vets had held the Nomads to 126 . Halpin and Kirkham opened the batting, Both started well. Kirkham hitting his first 6 of the season to score a quick fire 10 before being caught out. Halpin, this time with the bat, looking back to his best. Marsden joined him at the crease and both set about knocking off the runs. Halpin, then Marsden started to open the shoulders and boundaries were keeping the Vets up with the run rate. Both retired unbeaten, Halpin on 23 off 17 and Marsden with 23 off 20. Allen and Keeley were now at the crease. Allen hit a 6 but was out next ball, caught in the deep for 8. Keeley was looking composed, playing some proper cricket shots with 2 lovely cover drives to the boundary to move onto 14. Taylor joined him at the crease. Keeley then got a ripper that took his middle stump out, Mitchell came in who had been in imperious form, first ball…straight through the gate and bowled. Glossops danger man was gone for a golden. Nomads bowler was on a hattrick ... .the field came in….but in came Super Sam Alder. First ball…4…second ball …4…third ball…4….fouth ball….4….fifth ball…you guessed it….4…..Alder had put the vets in an unloseable position and had scored the quickest retirement of the season with a 400% strike rate….now thats Cozball!! Taylor retired on 10 leaving Wilde and Jay Allen to score the winning runs. Wilde went big trying to finish it early but was caught on the boundary, with a 1 handed catch. Amos came to join Allen at the crease, the vets only needing 2 runs off 3 overs to win. Nomads were tight around the bat and Allen couldn't get the ball away. Tensions were rising in the Vets dressing room…surley Allen could hit 1…and he did, a wide delivery..Allen spun on it and hit it hard behind him nearly hitting the wicketkeeper with bat and ball… but it flew to the boundary and the vets had finished the season on a high. 4 wins on the bounce to cap a good 3rd season. Man of the Match - Sam Alder. Explosive batting won the game, Best strike rate of the season and was great to watch. Cozball in its finest form. The vets will now take a break but will be having a presentation and a christmas doo and it will be great to all get together and talk crap about how good we were this season and how we need to improve and try come up with a plan to get our achey bones through another season…but i hope everyone enjoyed the year and i look forward to seeing you back in the nets next year. Up The Vets
Match Report: Glossop CC Vets & Sponsors vs Hayfield Nomads