Match Report Yarm & Eaglescliffe 2 Newcastle University 0

Saturday 23rd August 2025 (att 89)

The Y&E secured their first ever victory in the Isuzu FA Vase, with a 2-0 home win against Newcastle University. The win means an away trip to Northern Counties East Premier League side Pickering Town on the weekend of 20th September in the second qualifying round.

It was only our second completed home game of the season following the floodlight issue that meant an abandoned game against Tow Lane and rearrangement of our home game against Sunderland West End.

There was a few changes to the match day lineup. Club captain Cam Wild is away in the Canadian Rockies (wrestling grizzly bears allegedly), and talismanic midfielder Josh Marshall was unavailable. As such a few changes to the starting XI. Callum in goal, the Daltons at wing back (Joe left and Jack right), Ethan, Jonesy and the returning Ross Harrison in the middle of defence. Midfield a full debut for Joe Scaiffe Wheatley (JSW) alongside Harry Stewart Titchner (HST) with Ste Roberts and Dylan playing as 10s behind Tom. On the bench, Leo, Hillers, Freddie McBride, Ethan and veteran utility player Stephen Jackson (#SJ17)

The lads walked on the pitch with mascots from Prissick Rovers City. Great to see them at the game, shooting penalties and half time and doing a cracking job as ball boys. Hope to see you all back at future games.

We got off to an excleent start and were 1-0 up after 5 minutes with forward Dylan Gnaglo scoring. A floated free kick from Half way was met in the box by Dan Jones. His header fell to Dylan who reacted quickest and struck a curling effort passed the keeper. Excellent finish.

For the next 15 mins or so Uni had the better of the game, dominating possession and winning a string of set pieces. Dan Jones in particular at the back with plenty of blocks and tackles. We managed to double our lead on 21 minutes. A throw in to HST just on the edge of the centre circle in the Uni Half, couple of touches, he looks up sees Tom pointing for the ball, and HST lifts a sublime ball in to the box which Tom is able to head over the keeper and in to the back of the net. A goal against the run of play, but nobody of a Y&E persuasion was complaining.

It could have been 3 not long after, HST again with a sublime pass with the outside of his right foot to Jack Dalton storming down the right, a lovely low cross and Ste Roberts couldn’t make it to connect. Any touch and it would have been in. Tom and HST also had half chances but couldn’t make them count. At half time and we were 2 goals to the good. We looked relatively comfortable at the back and had taken 2 chances, Uni had a really good spell between the goals, but we were playing well. HST in particular was having a stormer.

Second half and a couple of early changes. Leo on for Ethan and Freddie on for Ste Roberts. Uni had a fair bit of the ball and we continued to deal with any threat from them. We had a couple of chances ourselves, Dylan with a lob over keeper and bar after a nice pass from HST (again). Jack Dalton rolling back the years with another barnstorming run down the right hand flank, but no one could get on the end of his cross. Hillers came on for JSW in midfield with 20 to go. Tom had a couple of good chances, the first he broke clear and moved wide of keeper, it looked like he was tripped in the box but nothing given. Next up some excellent play from Leo, won the bal, drove forward and found Tom, his shot was deflected by their keeper, and it looped in slow motion towards the goal but hit the post. At the other end there was an appeal for a penalty against Jack, but not given. There was still time for a late cameo from SJ17 as he replaced Dylan. The lads saw the game out and we were through to the next round. 2-0 winners.

Newcastle Uni are always a tough team to play against. Always try to play football and full of running. They had good spells of play but were unable to do really trouble Callum. Good luck to them for the rest of the campaign and we welcome them back to Bedford Terrace in October in the league.

As for the Y&E. A clean sheet, a good performance and two first half goals. Can’t say fairer than that. HST was superb again, his passing was first class and his general work rate as ever. Deserved man of the match

Callum did what he had to do well, always talking as ever. The Daltons were superb at wing backs, Joe only needs to line up in goal to rival Dougs at the ultimate Y&E Swiss Army knife footballer! Fair play to Jack who came down from a break in Northumberland to play today. Mr Y&E. Great to have Ross Harrison back in defence- lead the back 5 superbly. Dan Jones seemed to be in the way of everything that Uni threw at us first half in particular. Ethan did well again. I don’t think we’ve had a settled defensive back five so far this season. Each game has been a new lineup.

JSW in the middle of the park, kept the ball moving with some smart simple passing. HST man of the match. Enough said. Dylan didn’t stop all day, plenty of energy and took his goal superbly. Ste Roberts with another good display some good touches and used his experience. Tom – continues his scoring form. As ever. From the bench Freddie and Leo slotted in well at the back. Hillers quality in midfield and SJ17 looked decent – lots of talking!

Next up is our trip to Sunderland RCA on Tuesday night , back in league action. Then it’s early season pacesetters Seaham Red Star at home next Saturday.

Howay the mighty Y&E