Wednesday 3rd September 2025. Ryton & Crawcrook Albion 0. Yarm & Eaglescliffe 0 (att 202)

Scorers – Joe Dalton 63, Pete Bulmer 90+1

After a home draw against Seaham Red Star, the Y&E made the trip up to the Tyne Valley to face Ryton & Crawcrook Albion in a midweek tie. Kingsley Park aka the Oldhaulage Stadium, hadn’t been a happy hunting ground for us, with two defeats in our only two visits. Ryton are always a well organised team and tough to break down, so we knew we were in for a tough night.

Thankfully the midweek traffic around on the A1 had died down as I made my way past the Angel of the North. (Gateway to paradise allegedly). Arriving at the ground the car park was rammed, so quick diversion across the road to park on the old quarry access road. In ti the club houses and there was a good number of the Y&E faithful in attendance. It is a decent set up, with the club house over looking the pitch, which gives an elevated view of the game, a little different to the normal Northern League set ups. We positioned ourselves in front of the clubhouse alongside a number of Ryton supporters as we watched the teams come out for kick off. We lined up with Callum in goal, Foz & Joe Dalton as wing backs, with Ethan, Dan Jones and Ross Harrison as the central back three. In midfield HST and Hillers, with Dylan and Marshy playing off Harry Williams up front. On the bench, Cam, Leo, Freddie, Pete Bulmer, and Dougs.

The home side had the better of the opening spell, and nearly took the lead on 7 minutes. A header in to the ground which bounced up on the bar and clear. An excellent an early opportunity. We gradually grew in to the game, with Marshy at his tenacious best. We had a chance on 17 minutes, with a long free kick which was cushioned off his chest by Dan Jones in to the path of Harry Williams who smashed a volley just wide. A few minutes later there looked like a blatant handball in their box (which the Ryton fans next to us agreed) but it wasn’t given. Straight away Albion burst forward on the counter attack, forcing Callum to the roughy edge of his box, before a shot was blocked just in front of our line by Ethan. They had a mother good chance with an attack and dangerous cross from their left which was well marshalled out by Joe Dalton at the far side of our box. Penalty shoots evened up on 28 mins as Ethan tackled an Albion attacker. It wasn’t given, again it probably should have been given, but we were 1-1 in penalty shouts now! Shorlty after the Albion 4 Jack Sakeld was in the book for a late grab on Callum. A few minutes later the sam player fouled Hillers, which was followed by a discussion on the laws of the game by both teams. A couple of minutes later their 4 was subbed off. Probably a wise move by their gaffer. We finished the first half as the better team. HST was growing in to the game, and was spreading the ball around well in the middle of the park, and putting in a few nice crosses. The ref blew up and we were goalless at half time. Its as close tight game, and both teams should have had a penalty.

Into the second half and we kept the same line up. The half started like much of the first half, tight with nether side really dominating, HST was fouled on 58 minutes, inside the Albion half. He took the free kick, and shaped to put the ball in to the box, but spotted the keeper had left a bit of space to his right, so a HST curled his effort to that side, forcing a scrambled save for a corner. We took the lead on 63 minutes. Joe Dalton, with a throw in to Harry Williams, who plays it back to Joe. He drives in to the box, lays it to Marshy who plays a delicate little pass through the defenders legs and Joe meets it and hits a lovely shot in to the far corner. A cracking goal. 1-0 up. From the kick off, Marshy was in a tangle with a Ryton player, cue some further discussions on the laws of football and both players in the book. 5 minutes later, Albion had a penalty. A break forward and Foz in with a late challenge in the box and he gets booked. Up steps Louis Anderson to take it and he smashes it off the bar. Phew! The temperature was starting to raise a little, with the hoem crowd getting a little annoyed, and it was simmering a bit on the pitch as well. Hillers went in the book as did another Albion player as he upended Foz who looked in to be clean through. Foz looked in a bit of plain and was subbed off for Leo on 70 minutes. We made a couple more subs, with Hillers off for Cam and Pete Bulmer on for Dylan. Callum made a few raves stops including one right amongst a few sliding tackles. Marshy was on the end of a few fouls and quickly established himself as the pantomime villain amongst the home support. There was a nervous moment as they broke down the right and shot low across the goal, but Leo was expertly positioned to clear the ball off the line. Frddie cam on for Dan Jones, who became another panto villian. The locals weren’t keen on hoo long flowing locks! In to stoppage time and break from Marshy, he gets in to the box and slides it across to Pete Bulmer, at first I thought he had mucked it up, but a nice touch from Pete saw two defenders end up in Prudhoe before he was able to poke the ball home. 2-0 up on 90+1. There was time for Marshy to be replaced by Dougs and a late chance from Albion saved by Callum. The ref blew up and we had won 2-0.

It’s always difficult to play against Ryton. Well organised and always with high intensity. They were unbeaten at home until we played them. They looked dangerous on the break as well. Really enjoyed standing amongst their support tonight, some fantastic one liners from some of their supporters throughout the game. A really good clubhouse and excellent half time refreshments in the committee room. Best of luck to them for the rest of the season.

That was really really good away performance, probably the best performance of the season so far. Firstly a clean sheet. Defensively solid again. Some big challenges and brave headers to clear the ball. Yes they missed a penalty, but we limited their chances and when needed we had defenders to clear the ball off the line. Secondly we matched their intensity and played some nice football, HST in particular, spraying the ball around. Starting XI and subs all did a job. Joe Dalton won man of the match, another excellent display from Mr Versatility. Next up league leaders Redcar Town at home on Saturday. Bring it on. UTYAE