The Y&E secured their 3rd consecutive home league victory with a 4-0 win at home against Tow Law.
A rearranged fixture from mid August, where the floodlights failed to come on and the match was abandoned. The game offered a chance to get the disappointment of our exit from the FA vase out of our system. Jacko made a couple of changes, with Harry Stewart Titchner back in midfield and Leo in for Ross Harrison in defence. Callum was back in goal in place of Ethan. We lined up with Callum in goal, Joe Dalton at right wing back, Sam Conway on the left. In the middle of defence Jack Dalton, Leo Cheesebrough and Dan Jones. Central midfield HST and Joe Hillerby, with Harry Williams and Marshy in behind Tom up front. On the bench Alex Dougall, Joe Scaiffe Wheatley, Ste Roberts, Josh Larkin and Foz Garton.
With a big game finishing just over 48 hours before this game kicked off, it was understandable that the first half was little flat. Sam Conway and Harry Williams had half chances early on, and Tom had an effort cleared off the line. Tow Law were defending pretty well. The Tow Law committee were becoming big fans of Callum. The Tow Law 7 went in the book for a foul on Sam Conway, just after the half hour.
We took the lead on 37minutes. A cross in to the box saw a Sam Conway effort well saved, but the ball fell to Joe Hillerby at the far post for him to score. That’s his 4th goal in 6 games, an impressive run of scoring from the midfielder. Following the goal Tow Law had a very good spell, capitalising on a mistake at the back, with Kai Grey seeing his effort well saved low by Callum. They followed this up with a couple more chances, both coming down their left but one shot went wide and another cross was cut out by Callum with his knees. In to the last couple of minutes and Harry Williams had a hooked shot cleared off the line. Half time 1-0.
Into the second half and we got off to a good start. This was epitomised by HST pulling a sublime Cruyff turn before whipping a ball across with his left foot, Dan Jones connecting with his head and the keeper saving well. We made a change on 51mins, JL10 on for Harry W. Shortly afterwards Marshy with a lovely ball down the left, Sam Conway managed to beat the offside trap and crossed for Tom, when in hindsight he should have shot. We made another change with Hillers off for Scaiffey. On 56 mins we scored again, an HST corner headed home by Joe Dalton. We had a few more shots, Marshy and Tom both seeing efforts defected over. Ste Roberts came on for Marshy on 60minutes.
A few minutes later Leo went in to full on Maradonna mode (not the hand of god) dribbling through the Tow Law midfield and defence from his own half before he was pushed over in the box. Penalty. Up steps Tom. Boom. 3-0. Two minutes later another chance for the Y&E this time Callum launching a long kick that bounced and went just wide. One the Tow Law committee would have loved no doubt.
Tow Law had a better spell, but didn’t look like threatening our goal. We made some more changes with Foz and Dougs on for Jack and Joe Dalton. As we entered the final 10minutes the rain started to get heavier, to the point that it turned in to a Monsoon, sending fans sprinting for shelter. The rain was that bad, the Bus Stop boys Keith & Nige were forced to abandon the game. They missed the last goal, Tom Atkinson getting clear and scoring on 87minutes to make it 4-0. That’s how it ended up as the ref blew up and the torrential rain continued.
Tow Law did well first half. They made it difficult and had a few good chances towards the end of the first half. Second half they kept going to the end of the game. Best of luck for the rest of the season.
An important win for us. Helped to get the Fulwood defeat out of our system. The conditions particularly in the second half weren’t the best and with a quick turnaround from Sunday, the game could have been a bit of a banana skin for us. In the end we came out of it well with a good win. Tom scores a double again. 14 league goals now, despite missing about 6 games. Hes class. Hillers on the scoresheet again, this one a goal mouth scramble and not a long distance worldie. Man of the Match was Leo. Played well at the back and that run for penalty was outstanding.
Up next it’s Jarrow at home. Another huge game. We’ll see you there.