This afternoon the lads hosted North Shields back at Bedford Terrace in the first of three home games this week. The lads were looking to build on the excellent performance and result midweek against Carlisle City.
Sadly, no Jacko today bouncing up and down on the touchline and scribbling in his notepad—he was taking a well-earned break with family, with Richie taking over the reins. I was in contact with Jacko, and I think he had to go for a walk during the match through not being at the game. I know how it feels after missing the FA Cup replay, and it’s pure torture waiting for updates.
The lads made one change from midweek, with Reece McMann coming into the starting lineup for the injured Harry Titch.
The sun came out for kick-off and, although there was a little bit of wind about, conditions were decent for a game of footie.
The lads kicked off playing right to left. The first chance after 4 mins fell to North Shields; the lads failed to clear the ball, and a strike from just inside the box was well saved by Callum Roberts. North Shields kept knocking on the door, kept piling on the pressure, and had another great chance after 30 mins, but the forward put it wide of the far post. The away team had a number of corners in quick succession, but like Tuesday night, the lads defended well. North Shields then had the best chance of the half when a ball was whipped across the box, but the forward touched it wide from yards out.
The Y&E then went up the other end of the pitch and took the lead in the 36th minute. A lovely ball was crossed over from Mikey Roberts, and a looping header from Ste Roberts gave us the lead. Ste is in some great goalscoring form this season, and long may it continue!
North Shields had one more chance just before half-time, but a great clearing header from Josh Marshall kept the score at 1-0 as the whistle went.
I grabbed myself a salad box and a bottle of water, and did a few push-ups to energise myself for the second half (honest), and we were good to go again. Congrats to Mike Smith on winning the half-time 50/50 draw and taking home the cash prize of £104.50.
In the second half, the lads didn’t just sit back and started to press forward more themselves. Bubba, who had only been on the pitch for a few mins, won us a free-kick just outside the box. This was whipped in and came close to making it 2-0, but was directed wide.
The lads won the ball back and, just seconds later, had another great chance to make it 2-0, but Tom Atkinson’s strike was saved.
The lads did make it 2-0 in the 64th minute through Tom Atkinson, who got into the box and somehow scrambled it home. Three mins later, the home crowd was bouncing! Another lovely move from the Y&E, and that man again, Tom Atkinson, got his second of the game, firing home from close range to make it 3-0 and put us in full control. Richie made a number of changes from this point as the clock ticked down.
North Shields pressed forward after the third goal, but everything into the box was kept out. Dan Jones and Josh Marshall in the centre of defence were superb all afternoon. I think Marshy has found himself a new position—and he gets booked less!
North Shields did get a consolation goal in injury time to make the final score 3-1. This was another great result for the lads; we dug deep in the first half and got our rewards.
The intensity, effort, and sheer determination from these lads is a pleasure to watch. Who knows where this season will take us, but it’s been a great start. As Jacko always says, one game at a time, and not to look further ahead than the next match.
MOTM: Dan Jones — What a player! I have a feeling he might be eating a lot at The Keys this season with performances like the last few weeks!
Next up for us is Redcar Town on Tuesday evening.
Minty