Match Report
Chester le Street Town 0-1 Y&E
Saturday 26th July (att 145)
The Y&E got off to a winning start in their Ebac Northern League Divsion 2 campaign with a 1-0 win away at Chester le Street Town. After a first half that saw the Teessiders in control it was goalless at half time. A Sam Conway goal on 57mins broke the deadlock. Despite a sustained period of pressure from the hosts, the Y&E were able to hold out and take a Northern League opening day victory at the third time of asking.
As ever, hopes were high as we headed into the first game of the new campaign. A clean slate for both teams. Moor Park was our the final away ground to visit last season where we ran out easy 5-0 winners. With a new management team and a raft of new signings, the hosts were a very different team from last season.
As the Y&E faithful gathered in the clubhouse (up there as one of the best in Div 2) pre game, team news arrived. Similarly to our hosts we had a very different line up compared to April. Dan Jones was suspended, JL10 injured, Ross Harrison, Reece McMann & Harry Williams, unavailable, Sam Lawrence playing for the reserves and Alfie Conway moving to Thornaby.
Despite the changes above, the starting XI was all players who had stayed from last season. Callum in goal, a central back three of Cam, Leo & Jack with Sam Conway & HST as wing backs. In midfield Joe Dalton, Hillers & Marshy, with Ste Roberts lining up behind Tom. Plenty of experience on the bench with Pete Bulmer, Douggs, Foz Garton, Dylan and Adam Groom.
It was good to see Charlie Fixter Josh Larkin (plus a number of his fan club) at the game as they both continue on their way back from injury.
The Y&E were the better team for the first phase of the game. Dominating possession and keeping the pressure on CLS Town. There was an early half chance for Tom whose header from a floated Marshy cross was easily saved. On 12 mins the first booking with Town captain Nick Little in the book for a late challenge on Sam Conway.
We were pretty comfortable through the first half but the ball wasn’t dropping up front, through balls were just a touch too long. There was a flurry of activity around the 30min mark, Hillers winning the call in midfield before feeding Ste whose shot from about 30yards was just over. Just after this a through ball to Tom, who shot early just wide. At the other end Callum was called in to action with an excellent save at his near post following a mazy run from their number 11.
We had our best opportunity on 40mins. An HST corner was cleared back to him, control then a volleyed cross which falls to Tom on space at the far post, he shoots across goal with Joe Dalton sliding in at the near post and it just squeezes between Joe and the post as it goes out for a goal kick.
As the ref blew for half time, we should have been a goal up. We looked solid at the back, and had created a few good chance.
Out for the second half and we were unchanged. The hosts got off to a better start and won a few free kicks. We were able to deal with them fairly easily. Marshy went in the book on 51mins for kicking the ball away after committing a foul.
Hillers was replaced on 56mins by Foster Garton. A minute later we took the lead, Ste driving forward, played the ball in to Tom in the box, he turned to find space and the ball ended up to the left of the box where Sam Conway was on hand to put the ball away to score our opener of the season.
A couple of minutes later their 8 William Cornish was in the book for a high challenge on Callum. He was ok to carry on. With an hour gone Pete Bulmer came on for Ste.
The home team were having their best spell of the game, and had a string of good chances. The first was a Jack Dalton header back towards Callum following a long clearance from the Town keeper. A diving Callum managed to push it wide. The ball was cleared & Foz foul resulted in a crossed free kick that was headed over. On 68mins the home side got free down the right and had the ball in the back of the net but it was ruled out for offside. A minute or so later they were clear again but Callum saved as the assistant flagged for offside. We were under the cosh a bit now and needed to settle down.
There was another chance for their number 11 Nathan Simpson on 77mins as he broke clear but his shot was wide of the far post. Into the last ten minutes and HST was replaced by Douggs with Leo moving to right wing back. Adam Groom came on for Marshy & Dylan for Tom as we looked to see the game out. There was time for a late scissor kick from CLS Town but it was saved by Callum. We managed to hold out the last few minutes and took an important three away points to start our league campaign.
Credit to CLS Town, they were much improved in the second half and they’ll be disappointed not to get a point from the game. They looked pretty solid defensively and had plenty of pace up front. They’ll be a tough team to beat this season. Good luck to them for the rest of the campaign.
After conceding 9 goals in the last 2 games of pre season it was good keep a clean sheet. I thought the middle defensive three all played well. Leo was given man of the match for an impressive display. Cam won pretty much every aerial duel, Jack was solid as ever. Callum had a good game, excellent with his feet as ever and some good saves. Sam Conway had a good game down the left and took his goal well. HST at right wing back did well- some good passing & set piece delivery.
The Midfield three of Marshy, Joe Dalton & Hillers battled well. Covered some ground, broke the game up, were able to play the ball around and really dug in during the second half. Up front Ste & Tom linked up well, created some chances and worked hard up top. The subs all came on and did slotted in well. Plenty strength & depth there.
It was by no means a classic, but going away from home against a good side early in the season and keeping a clean sheet and winning is what good teams do. It gives us confidence going into the next few games starting with league newcomers AFC Newbiggin at home on Tuesday Night. See you there.
