Saturday 26th July 2025 | Austin Ainsworth
NCEL Division One football sparked back in to life on Saturday after what, for some, felt like barely a moment’s rest and, for others, felt like an eternity. However long the break, there hasn’t been much rest for Wakefield AFC behind the scenes, with another familiar summer of change seeing several players depart and a multitude of new signings stepping in to fill their shoes.
The first day of the football season is always a wonderful occasion in that any emotions – good or bad – left over from the previous campaign are replaced with a new found hope and excitement at what lies ahead. For Wakefield, so long in contention for automatic promotion last term, a wobbly patch in the last weeks of the season and then a semi-final play-off exit for the third successive year left many fans wondering what could have been.
However, closer analysis of the last campaign would more likely lead to the conclusion that it was in-fact Wakefield’s poor start to the 24/25 season that truly cost them. And that, coupled with the fact that Wakefield have won only one of their three opening day fixtures in the NCEL, put even more onus on The Falcons to make a strong start this year.
That last opening day victory came three seasons ago at home to Glasshoughton Welfare and, ironically, it was Glasshoughton who hosted Wakefield on Saturday for the start of the 25/26 season.
Wakefield have been happy hunters on their previous visits to The WrapStyl Stadium, winning all three, but form generally goes out of the window on the opening day, particularly with the mystery of how newly shaped squads will fare.
For Wakefield, there were still familiar faces in manager Steve Bodle’s starting 11; Owen Evans in goal, Igor Mlynarski at right-back and Chris Salt captaining the side from the heart of defence. All-time top-scorer Billy Mole also started at the tip of a midfield diamond behind a front two of Akeel Francis and Ash Flynn; both returning in pre-season for their second stints with Wakefield. The rest of the side had a completely new look to it, with Owen Thomas and Ashley Grayson completing the back four, and Harry Mitchell, Rhys Thomas and Callum Nicell all making their debuts in midfield.
The game started off in competitive fashion, Wakefield showing a healthy aggression out of possession and moving the ball quickly when they did have it, whilst Glasshoughton enjoyed a good share of the ball and appeared a more fluid, technically proficient proposition than what Wakefield may have experienced on previous visits.
That meant the first 30 minutes were tough to call, with both sides sharing the chances; Francis going close when he raced in on goal and poked a shot just wide, and Evans called in to early action when a quick move saw Welfare break in to the box and force a fine save, low to his left side.
Wakefield’s Mitchell made an eye-catching debut at the base of the midfield and saw more of the ball than anyone in the first half. Use of the ball is only half the job in that key position though, and he also displayed a tenacity in winning the ball back and a good eye for danger. That all came together in the 30th minute when he dropped deep to fill a gap left in the defence. That saw him intercept an opposition attack, before he lifted his head and played a sweeping pass almost the full length of the field. The ball found the clever run from deep of midfielder Rhys Thomas, who held off his marker on the edge of the box and then stuck a leg out to knock the bouncing ball around the onrushing ‘keeper to open his, and Wakefield’s account for the season.
Wakefield found another gear from there and immediately pushed on for a second. Mole first saw a good drive from midfield see his shot well saved, before he again started an attack from deep in the 36th minute, exchanging a slick 1-2 with Francis to burst in to the box. Mole was eventually tackled and the ball bounced to Francis on the penalty spot who had several stabs at a shot before his strength and perseverance paid out for him to execute a smart finish to the far post.
The two goal lead at half-time by no means made the second period a walk in the park for Wakefield, who were arguably on the back foot for large periods after the break. A good attack for Glasshoughton in the 56th minute saw a fierce shot strike the crossbar, with the ball dropping for what looked like a tap-in, only for Salt to head the ball away on the line. Evans then made another fine save in the 71st minute to preserve Wakefield’s two goal cushion, rushing off his line and showing expert reactions to quell an attack when one-v-one.
That scare may have sprung the visitors back in to action with substitute Nana Nyarko going close from distance, before Francis looked certain to score from close range, only for his stretching shot to rebound off the post and the Glasshoughton goalkeeper.
Francis’ strike partner Flynn had been equally as lively throughout the game, popping up in dangerous spots but the final shot or pass not quite falling in to place. His non-league career marks him out as one of the hungriest of goal-hungry strikers, but his brief, first stint with Wakefield two seasons ago didn’t quite go to plan in a formation that didn’t suit him. The fact he was the league’s top-scorer with 32 goals for Maltby Main last year shows he hasn’t lost the knack of finding the back of the net, but he would’ve no doubt felt more eager than anyone to get off the mark quickly for Wakefield this time.
And he got the perfect opportunity to do so three minutes from time when Wakefield initially saw a dangerous attack half-cleared to the right edge of the Glasshoughton penalty area. Mlynarski then stroked a beautiful, first-time, curling cross to the far post where Flynn expertly lost his marker and headed the ball home to make it 0-3.
That was his last act, as Tidiane Diallo and Aziz Diallo replaced the front two to see out five minutes of stoppage time. And it was a brilliant cameo from the two, particularly Tidiane, who showed all of the raw pace, skill and energy that has made waves in Wakefield’s pre-season. On two separate occasions he won the ball high and slalomed in on goal, first drawing a fine save from the goalkeeper before then squaring for Nyarko who narrowly missed the goal with a first time shot.
It was third time lucky for the substitute in the fourth minute of added time though, when Wakey ‘keeper Evans played a pin-point pass up to Tidiane who was again lurking on the left edge of the Glasshoughton box. In the blink of an eye he drove past the full back, shifted the ball to his right and fired a shot towards the near post, the power of his effort seeing the ball deflect in off the helpless goalkeeper.
That final act gave the score a more comfortable and comprehensive look to it, and also saw Wakefield move straight to the top of the league having enjoyed the best result of the opening day fixtures. The league table counts for nothing at the start of the season however, with all associated with Wakefield perhaps more satisfied with the quality of performance both from a team perspective and individually; each of Wakefield’s new signings excelled, as did the substitutes, whilst those returning from last season all showed why the club were so eager to retain them.
Wakefield players, staff and fans will now have a few days to bask in the joys of a welcome, positive start to the season before The Falcons head to Harrogate Railway on Tuesday evening for the first round of the League Cup; kick-off: 19:45PM on 29/07/2025
Match Stats
Half Time: 0-2
Full Time: 0-4
Attendance: 200
Wakefield AFC Starting XI:
Owen Evans – Igor Mlynarski, Chris Salt (C), Ashley Grayson, Owen Thomas – Harry Mitchell – Callum Nicell, Rhys Thomas – Billy Mole – Ash Flynn, Akeel Francis
Wakefield AFC Subs Used:
57m, Harvey Scott for Harry Mitchell
71m, Nana Nyarko for Billy Mole
88m, Aziz Diallo for Ash Flynn
88m, Tidiane Diallo for Akeel Francis
Possession:
Glasshoughton Welfare 48% – 52% Wakefield AFC
Passes Completed:
Glasshoughton Welfare 197 – 241 Wakefield AFC
Goals:
30m, Rhys Thomas
36m, Akeel Francis
87m, Ash Flynn
90m+4, Tidiane Diallo
Wakefield AFC Assists:
30m, Harry Mitchell
87m, Igor Mlynarski
90m+4, Owen Evans
Wakefield AFC Cards:
Billy Mole (Yellow)
Attempts
Wakefield AFC
First Half
Shots on Target: 3
Shots off Target: 2
Second Half
Shots on Target: 5
Shot off Target: 3
Glasshoughton Welfare
First Half
Shots on Target: 1
Shots off Target: 3
Second Half
Shots on Target: 2
Shots off Target: 1