Match Report
Jarrow 1 Yarm & Eaglescliffe 2
Saturday 2nd August 2025 (att174)
The Y&E took their second away three points of the campaign with an important early season victor against last season’s third place finishers Jarrow FC. A slow start from the Y&E early on in the first half, with Jarrow taking the lead on 24mins as Luke Hudson slotted after connecting with a free kick from the left hand side. As the half drew to a close the Y&E came to life with 2 goals in 2 minutes in finish the half. Firstly, Ste Roberts with a sweet volley from a corner to equalise and then Tom Atkinson latching on to a HST through ball before taking it round the keeper and finishing from a tight angle to bag his 100th league goal for the Y&E. In to the second half and the hosts were reduced to ten men, after scorer Luke Hudson was sent off on 49 minutes following a foul and an field melee. The Y&E were fairly comfortable for the remainder of the game and took the three points back down the A19 to Teesside. Read on for more
The Y&E faithful were greeted by almost tropical conditions as they arrived in Jarrow. A few headed for some pre match refreshment at the Red Hackle whilst others were sat on the pitch side grass catching some rays. A beautiful day to watch football, and the early season pitch looked in good nick. With the absence of esteemed football food critic Maurice Fixter due to a back injury, this correspondent sampled he chips & gravy on his behalf. Very tasty.
Y&E faithful Jim Topping & Tracy Cheesebrough soakong up the sun pre match in Jarrow
With 11 first teamers unavailable for selection, there was two new names on the team sheet. 19 year old Ethan Jones making his debut in central defence alongside Cam and Leo and 17 year old forward Liam Vickers on the bench. Liam becomes the first player to have progressed from the U21s to the reserves and on to the first team. It was good to see his family travelling in numbers to see him make his debut. Potentially an #LV17 supporters club to match the #JL10 club in the future??
The team lined up with Callum in goal, HST & Adam Groom as wing backs, Cam, Leo and Ethan in the middle at the back. In midfield Joe Dalton & Marshy with Ste Roberts and Pete Bulmer in behind Tom. On the bench we had Foz Garton, Joe Hillerby, Ethan Lansdell, Sean Chidanyika and Liam Vickers.
The first 10 minutes of so and neither team managed to get control. There was an early game scare for the hosts as their keeper fell awkwardly as he punched a corner clear but he was OK to continue. It was pretty stop / start with a few fouls against both teams. The Jarrow number 9 went in the book for a late challenge on Callum on 14 mins. Two minutes later Ste was in the book for a foul. Callum was called on to make two excellent saves on 17 minutes after Jarrow were able to move the ball too easily through the middle of the park. Shortly after we had a really good chance, Ethan and HST linking up well before a pass up to Tom who lobbed the on rushing goalkeeper but it went just above the bar.
Jarrow took the lead on 24 minutes. A free kick on the left hand side was whipped over in to the box and Jarrow captain Luke Hudson was on hand in space to hit it home first time. Jarrow had been the better team up to that point, with Hudson in particular controlling the game in the middle of the park. Five minutes later Ethan was in the book, seemed a little harsh to me, but a welcome to the Northern League for the young defender. As the half drew to close, we started to get a bit more control, Jacko tweaked the formation slightly and we started to keep hold of the ball a bit more. Tom had a couple of half chances and then on 41mins he was clean through but the Jarrow keeper came out and collided with Tom. Free kick and a yellow card. The free kick was blocked and out for a corner, which was cleared.
We kept up the pressure and HST managed to break free down the right, not only can this lad pass a football, but he has some speed. He stormed up the flank and in to the box unleashed a shot which was saved at the near post for a corner. HST took the corner and it was met by a Y&E head up towards the edge of the box and Ste Roberts connected to send the ball in to the back of the net. We were back in the game. 1-1 43mins. A lovely finish form Ste who certainly knows how to strike a ball.
Given how we had played for the first 35minutes or so, pretty much all of the Y&E faithful and bench were happy to go in at half time level. But more was to come. HST was at the forefront of things once again. This time driving forward, playing the ball up to Tom who rounded the keeper, and looked to any normal human eye that he had took to it too wide. Not for Tom, the master of goalscoring geometry, who managed to score for a really tight angle. Tom’s 100th league goal for the club in 93 appearances. Not a bad record #Y&Egoat
2-1 up going in to half time. Quite a turnaround. Those two goals may have changed Jacko’s half time team talk slightly, but there was still a need to keep the ball more in midfield. Defensively despite a couple of scares we had got better defensively, the new central combination playing well together.
We were unchanged at half time. We started better and the game took a another twist on 49minutes. Marshy was fouled by Hudson, and couple of words were exchanged on the laws of association football and then a bit of a melee on the pitch. The result being a red card for Hudson and much protestation and disdain from Jarrow and their supporters. A few minutes later Hillers came on for Ste Roberts. On 57 minutes another HST free kick flicked on by Cam and Ethan managed to get a head on it, but couldn’t direct on goal.
The same central defensive partnership were linking up on 62 mins from a corner. Hillers had a shot saved for a corner before Cam & Etan nearly combined for a goal. There was another change with Foz coming on for Pete Bulmer, Foz slotting in a right wing back and HST moving more centrally. Shortly after HST was in the book for kicking the ball away ahead of a free kick. For me the most frustrating & avoidable booking of them all. Marshy was in the book for the same on 70mins. Jarrow brough on a few subs, who all appeared to be at least 6ft 5. Marshy was in the thick of it as ever, and some excellent skill and dribbling played in to Tom whose effort was well saved. HST made way for Sean to make his Northern League debut with us.
Defensively we were solid, the middle three of Ethan, Cam and Leo in particular all playing well. The obligatory shout of “Cameron’s” as el capitaino met another aerial ball with his head. Cam got a couple of fouls, which brough the big man down, with the Jarrow faithful serenading him with ambulance noise chants (which I thought were donkey chants at first.) He loves it. In to the last 5 mins of the match an we stayed solid, looking to break when we could. Liam Vickers came on for Tom. Another foul on Cam, more chants. I repeat He loves it . Into 5 added on & a booking for another Jarrow player. Full time. We held out and took the three points. Both teams shook hands and wished each other well for the remainder of the campaign.
The Jarrow side is very different from the side that went so close to promotion last season, with players moving on and new players coming in. Nevertheless, with an experienced managerial team and some very good players they’ll be up there or thereabouts this season. They were the better team for the first 30-35 minutes. A cracking set up at Perth Green and it was lovely to be there in the sunshine compared to the howling gale and cold conditions when we visited last December. Best of luck to them for the remainder of the season.
As for the Y&E, a big win given the squad we had available. 2 debutants and a keeper named on the bench to make up our match day squad. We got of to another slow start but the two late first half goals were just what we needed. Playing against 10men is never easy, but we held our shape and were defensively solid. If we’d have been offered 7 points from the first three games (2 away and 1 home) we’d have snapped that up no questions asked. It’s still early season, but we have yet to play anywhere close to our best so far. The games keep coming thick and fast, with Durham United and Grangetown in the space of 48hours next week.
Well done to all the players yesterday. Callum was solid as ever in goal, couldn’t have done much with their goal, but made some excellent saves and his kicking and distribution was where it needed to be. Adam Groom making his full debut for us, solid down the left, played well. HST backed up his Man of the Match performance on Tuesday with another excellent display. Set piece delivery superb again. The central three. Ethan, was that really his first competitive match for 14 months?? Looked assured, calm and composed with some excellent challenges. Leo played really well. Used his pace, and strength and was in control. Cam – Man of the Match. Vintage from Mr Y&E. Dispensed with the white boots, didn’t lose an aerial duel and some important blocks and tackles.
In midfield, Joe Dalton, plenty of running and tracking. Marshy was a constant thorn in their side, winning the ball, getting blocks in, driving forward. A nightmare to play against. Ste Roberts, a goal, some nice touches and another nuisance. Pete Bulmer, used his experience well, loved his discussion with the bench 35mins in, on how we could change things around. Up front Tom – his goal was vintage Tom Atkinson. No right to score from that angle. 100 goals in 93 games. Unreal
The subs all came on and did well. Hillers in middle, his natural habitat. Some important tackles and a decent shot blocked. Foz Garton came on and closed down their left hand side – Quality. Sean – plenty of energy when he came on. Liam Vickers – a first run out in the first team for a homegrown talent. Brilliant to see him make his first team debut.
Next up – another away game as we travel up to Durham to face newly promoted Durham United at Maiden Castle next Thursday. 1930 kick off. Hope to see plenty of you there.
Howay the mighty away win Y&E