The Y&E fell to disappointing 4-0 defeat away at Tow Law. It was the first league game since mid November, where we beat Tow Law 4-0 at home. It was a poor Y&E display with Tow Law deservedly taking all three points.
It was our first trip to Ironworks Road, and a good few Y&E supporters made the trip up to County Durham. A pre match chat & laugh in the clubhouse and a few more Y&E bobble hats were purchased. Out pitch side and there was a fair breeze blowing from the west, in to the faces of a hardy bunch of Y&E support on the terrace. It’s a cracking non league ground with a good little clubhouse. It was a cold one, so much that Y&E OAP ultra Maurice Fixter had the flaps down on his deerstalker hat for the first time this season.
There was a few changes to the starting XI since our victory of Seaham Red Start in the Ernst Armstrong League Cup back in early December. We lined up with Callum in goal, and the 46th different defensive combination this season. Sam Conway left back, Joe Dalton on right, with Cam and Foz Garton central alongside new signing Jack “Proc” Proctor. In midfield HST and Josh Larkin, with Harry Williams, Ste Roberts and Tom Atkinson up front. On the bench we had James Nicholson, Joe Scaiffe Wheatley, Ethan Jones, Charlie Fixter and Pete Bulmer.
We got off to a decent start, Tom broke through, ball was tackled and broke to Ste who shot from 25 yards but was saved by the keeper. We had the best of the early spell of the game, but Tow Law were full of energy and pressing. They got clear down the left and the cross was met and they hit the bar, but the Lino had given offside. An early warning for us. It was end to end and we had a penalty claim waved away after Sam Conway was fouled (would have been harsh) and other end Callum saved a free kick.
We were having a decent spell of possession, but the final ball wasn’t getting through. Tow Law looked solid at the back, with pace up front, troubling us at times. We had plenty of corners, some delightfully whipped in by HST, some less so. When the ball did get into the box, we weren’t able to capitalise. Ste was looking our most dangerous player, and a lovely touch saw him get clear, but he was fouled. The free kick went over.
The deadlock was broken on 39minutes when we didn’t clear the ball, and it broke to Harvey Walsh, who broke clear, chased by Y&E defence, in the box he cut inside and slotted past Callum. 1-0 to Tow Law. We had a decent chance just before half time, a corner cleared to Ste, his shot was cleared off the line, just inside the near post. Half Time 1-0 down. We hadnt created many chances, Tow Law were solid at the back, we’d had possession. Still in the game.
Out for the second half and no changes. Hoping for a reaction and for us to step up in quality. On 50minutes, Tow Law doubled their lead. A free kick after Foz was adjudged to have fouled Zax Benjmain on right edge of the box. Free kick comes over, we weren’t organised at all, ball watching and their defender Kenny Shevells is on hand to finish from close range. A poor goal to concede from a set piece.
The goal gave the new look Tow Law side more confidence and they took control of the game. We had a couple of half chances, with Tom having 2 efforts blocked in the box. It went from bad to worse for us on 58 minutes with Walsh again scoring to make it 3-0. He got the ball on Tow Law left, cut into the box past the Y&E defence and buried it low past Callum.
We made a couple of subs, with Ste and Foz being replaced by Charlie Fixter and Pete Bulmer. It was soon 4-0 , on 69mins a long ball through to Walsh, who beat the defence for pace, before he scored. I don’t think I’d seen a worse a 25 minute spell from the Y&E. A couple more changes as James Nicholson and Ethan Jones replaced Cam and Proc. Scaiffe came on for HST who was booked for dissent as he walked of the pitch.
It was playing for some level of pride at 4-0. We didn’t concede any more, we had a couple of half chances and Pete Bulmer was sin binned for dissent in stoppage time. Full time – a heavy 4-0 defeat.
Credit to Tow Law. They played very well, were solid at the back, clinical up front and won battles across the park. Throughly outplayed us in the second half, first half made it difficult for us and took their best opportunity well. If they play like this for rest of the season, they’ll make the battle fo survival very interesting and will dent the hopes of some other teams near the top of the league.
Definitely one to forget for the Y&E. Struggle to think of many (if any) worse second half displays. Not often I come away from a Y&E game annoyed and angry, but that was one. No point dwelling on it, some huge games coming up and we need to learn from this display and make amends over the festive period. Highlight of the day was the chips and curry from their cafe. Still not a patch on the Y&E catering – but some of best away day scran I’ve had in a while.
On to the next one. Win lose or draw – proud to be Y&E. ⚪️🔵🦅