Boxing Day football, you cant get any more festive than that. Unfortunately there was little festive cheer on the pitch for the Y&E as they fell to a 4-1 defeat at home against Darlington Town. The result saw the lads drop to 5th place in the league table, with 17 games still to play.
A crisp morning, meant I had to de ice the car before heading up to Bedford Terrace for the 11am kick off. The roads were quiet, but there was decent turn out with 188 in attendance. The scent of Lynx Africa was in the air, not to mention a fair few Y&E bobble hats on heads. Thanks to matchday sponsor – the Yarm Family and Matchball sponsor Finance Solutions Northern
A change to the starting line up , with Matty Pattison, he of goalkeeping heroics last season, returned in goal as Callum was away.Proc was back in central defence in place of Dougs and Hillers was in for CF7, who dropped to the bench.
As ever the game was fairly event to start off with, and it was the Y&E who struck first. Tom playing the ball through to Harry Williams, who took a few touches before calmly slotting home to put us 1-0 up after 15minutes.The lead lasted all of seven minutes, before Darlo equalised. The played the ball played up down their left and the ball came in and Reece Brown was on hand to score on 22minutes. The visitor were looking the better team and were playing well. They added a second goal on 35minutes with a well worked goal. Again down our right hand side the found space, crossed over where James Beauchamp was on hand to finish well past Matty in to the top corner. As we approached half time, Hillers went in for a 50/50 and came off worse, having to be helped off the pitch as he was replaced by Charlie Fixter. Half time and we were 2-1 down. Not the best display.
Into the second half and it started a bit flat, Matty made a good save and there was some pushing and shoving in our box for corners, as the players compared Christmas gifts. Larkin had a decent effort on the hour, good play between him, Marshy and Harry W. His hot went just wide of the far post. A few minutes later we were 2 goals down, a Darlo cross from their right, it was cleared and ricocheted off centre back Brandon Mallaburn straight into the top corner, where Matty couldn’t quite claw it clear. 3-1.
The visitors made it 4-1 on 75minutes. A corner, with an effort off the bar, breaking to Leroy Hewitt who scored. The rest of the game was a little tetchy at times, with a few challenges form both sides worthy of free kicks not being given.Full time and we had lost 4-1.
A performance to forget really for the Y&E. We were second best across the park. After taking the lead we went into our shells and Darlington were in control. A very different performance from the previous Saturday against FC Hartlepool. As ever we dust ourselves down and get ready to go again in to 2026.