Right where to start with this one? Most of you will have seen the highlights of the game on YouTube and may have listened to the match on Coastal Radio. You’ll have seen the social media coverage, read the supporters group WhatsApp messages. So in terms of the match itself you’ll know what happened. You’ll know that the Y&E took the scalp of a Step 2 Non league side. A side not fielding a load of reserve team or youth team players. A side that was packed full of national league north experience. A side 82 places above us in the football pyramid. Forgive me if I get a bit carried away here, but what a result for the club. What a night. For me up there with the best of the best Y&E games. Better than Boro Rangers away, better than the 6-5 at West End. Little old Y&E with plenty of our first teamers missing, three players making their first team debuts including 2 stalwarts of our U21 side, making it through to the County Cup semi final. Against the holders, the team that had won it 3 of the last 5 seasons. Read on for my take on the game.

As we left Yarm at 4.15pm, picking up Y&E OAPs Jim & Maurice before setting off on the long and winding road down the coast. Through Scarborough we saw their supporters coach loading up with fans to head down to Bridlington. A trip to the seaside isn’t complete without some fish n chips. Seeing a chippy across the road from the ground, the plan was for a pre game chippy tea. Arriving just before 7pm, we headed over to the chippy – it had just closed! Was this an omen??

In to the clubhouse, order in for pie chips and peas. Time for a pint and a chat with the gathered Y&E faithful. We get the team news through. No Tom, no Marshy, no Charlie Fixter, no Proc, no Dan Jones. Jack Dalton on the bench. A fair few changes to the starting XI from Saturday at Seaham.

We lined up with Callum in goal. Right wing back Foz Garton, left hand side Pete Bulmer. In the middle of defence Cam, Leo & Ethan Jones. In midfield HST, Harry Williams, JL10, Sam Conway with Ste up front. On the bench new signing Cam Thompson, Jack Dalton and U21 trio James Nicholson, Ste Innes and Grant Catnach. Ste and Grant both making the first team debuts.

The game got underway and we soon settled. We were working hard, trying to deny the home side time on the ball. Plenty of energy. The first half we had the wind on our backs. From where we were stood, it was pretty sheltered but you could see how the ball was hanging on the breeze. We had a couple of half chances, an HST free kick not being met by a blue head in the box and Harry Williams with a shot over the bar. The home support were getting a touch frustrated early on as their team hadn’t settled, much of that was down to our work rate. We were very much in the game early on.

We were even more in the game on 17mins. The ball broke to Titch, he dinks a lovely ball down the right hand side of the pitch. JL10 (back in his proper number) breaks on to the box, doesn’t break stride and hits it first time into the back of the net from a tight angle. What the hell had just happened?? We’d scored!!! We’d taken the lead!!! Get in.

The locals weren’t happy with their team, we were just a Sunday pub team apparently. A Sunday pub team which was beating their team 1-0. The lads were playing superbly. We nearly went 2-0 up with Ste Roberts launching a beautiful volley from

distance that went just wide of the goal. So close . Scarborough upped the pressure a bit we were equal to it, defending resolutely and Callum with a string of superb saves. This was an enjoyable first half for the Y&E support. We were performing well and the lads were doing themselves and the club proud. Half time 1-0 up. What a half. A huge 45mins left. Club vice chairman Guy Jones was checking how much it would be to stay over on Brid “if we win this I’m staying over”

Half time the Y&E support were all of the same opinion – whatever happens now we can be proud of our performance. We had more than matched them, we were in the lead. They’d comeback at us, they had to. There was a chance for us to get through, we were halfway there.

That sense of hope was lowered significantly in a couple of crazy early second half minutes. Two corners from the left, resulting in two goals for the hosts. In the space of 2 minutes our lead had vanished. Totally uncharacteristic goals for us to concede. So frustrating, their goals hadn’t come from open play, but a couple of corners. Time for calm heads and to see out the next 10-15 minutes. That’s what we did, we kept it solid at the back, they had plenty of possession but we were keeping it tight, if a home player beat one of us, there was someone there backing up. A little bit of a flair up as the Scarborough 8 and JL10 discussed the laws of the game. Yellows do each player. Leo heads a ball of the line, after a scramble in our box. Every Y&E player, tracking, effort. An injury to Foz, Jack Dalton came on for him. Pete Bulmer replaced by new boy Cam Thomson. Ste Roberts ran himself in to the ground and was replaced by Ste Innes. A well deserved debut for the U21s player of the season from last year. A bit of reshuffle on the pitch. Callum with some more good saves.

The clock was ticking down. Still one goal on it. The expected Scarboroughian onslaught hadn’t materialised. We were pretty comfortable. The clock was ticking down. We had been largely penned on our half, wind against us, higher level opposition against us. In to the last 15mins or so and we started to get a bit of possession higher up the pitch. JL10 with a trademark jinking run, his shot over the bar. Putting a bit of pressure on their back line. We win a free kick, right hand side of box. HST whips it on, but nobody can get on the end of it. James Nicholson comes on for JL10.

In to the last few minutes. Scarborough defender hassled by HST plays the ball up. Jack Dalton anticipates, and hits it first time into Harry Williams. Titan as he’s known in the squad holds off the Scarborough defence, lays it inside to Cameron Thomson who hits it first time in acres of space in the box and beats the keeper. 2-2!!!!!!! What a moment for the new signing! We were back level. Disbelief. Joyous disbelief. We were level. Get in!!! 3 mins left plus stoppage time. Keep it tight lads. Nothing daft. That’s what we did. We kept it tight, we cleared, we blocked, we worked our arses off as we had done all game. Stoppage time seemed to alst forever. Still time for a late late sub. Grant Catncah on for his first team debut. 100+ appearances for development squad/ reserves /U21s and now one for the first team. A true Y&E legend that lad. Finally the whistle blew. A draw – penalties next. Whatever happened now we were all so proud of the team, the lads had been phenomenal tonight.

Jacko gets the lads in a huddle. Who wants to take pen he asks. Seven hands shoot up. Nerves of steel these boys. I was a nervous wreck on the sidelines – my watch letting me know that i’d the equivalent of nearly 2 hrs of exercise watching the match! Still with pens to come.

First up, they score. Cam up next, run up from distance and boom, low corner. 1-1. They score another top pen. Callum no chance again. HST sneaks one under the keeper 2-2. Again they score, Leo up for us. Scores a beauty. 3-3. They score again. Titan next. No mistake 4-4. Sudden death starts early! Pressure, Scarborough effort saved by Callum (who was developing an extensive fan club with the home support). Cam Thomson up next. Scores and we win. His effort looks to me like it’s going in, but glances off the post and wide. 4-4 sudden death now.

First up. Grant. Hasn’t touched the ball yet. His first touch for the Y&E first team sudden death from 12 yards. No doubt no mistake. Scores. 5-5 Scarborough up next, Callum enquiring regarding positioning of the ball. Ref discusses with him and gives him a yellow. Ice the kicker as they say in the NFL. Their player steps up and puts it over, advantage Y&E. Up steps Ethan Jones. Walks calmly up from the halfway line. Our young centre half, steps up, strikes it, gets it under the keeper and in!!!! We had won!!! We had beaten Scarborough. The Y&E were through. Disbelief- Joyous disbelief. The players & coaching staff celebrating on the pitch. High fives, hugs all round. We’re the Y&E!!!!!!

Time to calm down, in the clubhouse, more high fives & hugs, discussions on the pens. In the changing room the lads are bouncing. This is what it is all about, what a victory!

We hung in there. We kept going and we got the win against a play off chasing National League North side. Thanks to Scarborough for their hospitality & best of luck for the rest of the season.

As for the Y&E – Wow.

Callum – superb. Some fantastic saves. Saved a penalty. Made some new friends on the coast.

Foz – used his experience. Solid throughout.

Pete Bulmer – like Foz, solid, worked so hard

Cam – captains display. Won headers, blocked shots and crosses. Ice cold pen (as ever)

Leo – fantastic again. Brilliant headed clearance. What a penalty.

Ethan – A big 90mins from the young defender. Some important challenges. Ice Man in sudden death.

HST – all over the pitch. His pass for the first goal was something else. Midfield General

JL10 – Back scoring. Floodgates will open now. Never stopped.

Harry W – Another big performance from Titan. Some assist for the second goal. Cracking pen.

Sam Conway – does he ever stop running. Man of the Match. Worked so hard. Tackles and tracking and dribbling.

Ste Roberts- ran himself in to the ground. Nearly a trademark first half worldie.

Subs

Jack Dalton. Came on was Jack Dalton.

Solid defensively, important through ball for the second goal.

Cam Thomson – goal on your debut. Can’t say more than that. Some start for the Y&E

Ste Innes – another debutant. Did not look out of place at all. Quality first game.

James Nicholson – slotted straight in and had a few big tackles and blocks to keep the hosts at bay. Can see him grow in confidence.

Grant Catnach. 1 touch. Sudden death penalty. Never in doubt. Clinical. Ice man

Management – outstanding. As always. Set the team up perfectly.

Physio – did well. Few sprints onto the pitch.

Supporters – fair play to everyone who made the trip. It was definitely worth it.

What a night. Bring on the semi final!!