Star man Tom bagged four fantastic goals as Yarm & Eaglescliffe beat Darlington Town 4-1 last Saturday. A strong away performance from the Y&E saw them keep the top spot going into the final few games.

Match Report from Joseph McCue

As the first half got underway Y&E seemed to settle into the game the quickest as after a few early chances Tom Atkinson forced the keeper to make a great save after some lovely play from the Y&E. From the resulting corner Cameron Wild saw his header sail just wide of the left post with Y&E piling on the pressure. It didn’t take long for Y&E to find the breakthrough as non-other than the man in form Tom Atkinson hit a volley from the edge of the box from a corner, which rippled the back of the net. Darlington had some reaction from the setback but a their attacks were dealt with well by Y&E. Y&E would keep up their pressing with Harry Williams and Josh Marshall winning the ball back in key areas, creating chances as they looked to get that second goal.

Then a great move from Josh Marshall whose shot was saved by the keeper but it fell to the feet of Sam Conway who crossed onto the head of Tom for his second goal of the game. After some words from Darlington’s’ Hari Bondarenko, the ref gave him a yellow and sent him to the sin bin for foul language. This would be the first of a few yellow cards for Darlington Town. After another well worked move saw Josh Marshall slide through a pass to Dan Jones who would finish cleanly, but the flag went up for offside just before the end of the half.

Going into the second half Y&E started the strongest with Cam Wild’s header hitting the right post of a lovely corner by Harry Titchner. Then a mix up at the back for Y&E as Darlington got one on one which the striker James Beauchamp could not miss he managed to get them a goal back. The goal would strike confidence intoDarlington as they would put pressure on Y&E and get a few good chances including a lovely shot but an even better save from Cal Roberts. Another yellow would be shown to Darlington after a challenge by Reece Brown.

After soaking up the pressure Cal would send the ball forward where Josh Marshall managed to get a shot off which was saved by the keeper, but in the right place at the right time would be Tom who fired home for his hattrick. Two more Darlington players would enter the book for silly challenges as Y&E took control of the game again. Hari Bondarenkp picked up a second yellow and was sent off off on 81. Two minutes later a lovely save from Callum from a Town free kick, and the ball was kept in by Joe Dallton, who slid a perfect pass in to Tom Atkinson who made no mistake with a first time hit to make it four for him and four for the Y&E. Almost immediately after the goal, Darlington’s Reece Brown was given a second yellow for tripping a Foz Garton as he ran to join the celebrations. It was a fantastic goal from Tom, who never misses from there and gets his fourth of the afternoon to seal the three points.

Another three points to the Y&E as we push on for promotion. Darlington Town are always tough opponents but the Y&E deserved the victory. Another strong turnout of Y&E supporters, with over half the crowd backing the lads in yellow!

Also Fair play to the media Man – who delivered a cushioned header back on to the pitch after a stray mid match clearance. Didn’t even drop his notebook!