The Y&E scored three second half goals to secure a victory after Esh Winning took the lead midway thorough the first half.
Goals from Josh Marshall, Ste Roberts and Ross Harrison were secured the Eagles fourth consecutive away league win.
After following the Sat Nav’s directions through County Durham we arrived at Waterhouese and the Lumsden & Carroll community arena. The journey over had been filled with tales of Middlesbrough’s lost pubs from Maurice, Jim Topping and Chris Neil. Maurice regaling his youth in “Gods Chosen Acre” otherwise known as Brambles Farm.
Arriving at the ground, it was a perfect night for football. There was a good few of the Y&E faithful who had made the trip over enjoying a pre match drink. Once again there were a changes to the starting line up. Forward Harry Williams unavailable, so Joe Dalton moved from left back to play up front. Sam Conway replacing him at left wing back. No Dan Jones so Ross Harrison lined up alongside Ethan and Cam in the centre of defence. Callum in goal, Jack at right wing back, Sam Conway on left. Ross, Ethan and Cam. Midfield HST and Hillers. Marshy and Joe Dalton playing off Ste. On the bench, Pete Bulmer, Dylan Gnaglo, Joe Scaiffe Wheatley, Adam Groom and Leo Cheesebrough.
After a mild panic for this correspondent I managed to get some level of mobile reception, for WhatsApp group updates just before the game started. The first few minutes of the game, we started ok, moving the ball around, but it was Esh who had the best of the opening spell, looking to catch us on the break, with Sam Conway locking one early effort followed by a good save at his near post by Callum. There was a let off on 10 minutes with a Esh shot from inside the box blazed over the bar. At the other end we had a few half chances, but the ball wasn’t dropping for us. There was a bit of a tactical switch on 20mins with us moving to four at the back to try & counter the Esh pace up front. Their number 7 down the right hand side was proving to be a real handful to deal with.
Marshy was causing them a few issues and on a break in to the box there was a little flare up as he went for a 50/50. No foul given but there was a bit of discussion on the laws of the game. Following this Ross Harrison was booked- for what I don’t know! The hosts were still dangerous in attack, and Jack Dalton had to calmly steer the ball beyond the post to prevent a goal on 23 mins. A minute later Esh took the lead, we failed to clear & their 7 again caused issues in the right before he crossed over & striker Sol Tonnes was able to finish. It had been on the cards.
Ste Roberts had a good free kick saved, after an Esh handball. A sighter for later on. Cam was subbed for Groomy on 40mins. In to the last few minutes & we had a couple of half chances that fell to Sam Conway but both were over the bar. That was that for the first half. We hadn’t played well and Esh had done well & deserved to be a goal up. We needed to improve & no doubt there was a few words exchanged at half time.
Back out for the second half. We started with much better & had a couple of decent moves early on. Esh had a free kick saved by Callum on 54 mins after an HST foul. A minute later Marshy was fouled on the right hand side near the half way line. Cue an HST free kick in the box, which was punched clear, but only to Marshy who was able to finish from just inside the box. 1-1 and we were back in the game. Jacko made a further sub with Leo on for Ethan in central defence.
We took the lead on 61 minutes. A Locke break from marshy to HST to Ste who was fouled on the edge of the box, the cause of some continuation from the locals. From where I was it looked a foul & the ref agreed. A booking for an Esh player. The ball was literally on the edge of the box. Central. Ste Roberts stepped up and put it over the wall in to the top left corner. What a free kick. 2–1 . Stone cold Ste Roberts again.
There was a further change on 67mins with Scaiffe coming on for Hillers and a few minutes later we scored again. An HST corner on right, over to Ste whose volley was saved but the ball fell to the near post where Ross Harrsion was in full on poacher mode and was able to put the ball home for his customary once a season goal! 3-1. We made a couple more subs with Pete Bulmer on for Sam Conway & Dylan on for Ste. Esh were pushing for a goal to get back in the game, using their pace but we were holding solid at the back, Groomy & Leo in particular doing well to nullify the threat down the right hand side. We saw the game out, and aside from a bit of pantomime theatrics from some of the Esh faithful the game came to a conclusion. A second half comeback victory & an important three points away from home.
Esh were the better team by far in the first half. They played some good football & looked to catch us on the break. Their 7 James Bower was a real thorn in our side. I thought they looked much better than their league position suggests. Good luck to them for the rest of the campaign.
As for for the Y&E, we turned that one around second half. We were poor 1st half, caught on the break and at times didn’t get the basics right. The change in formation helped us, and we looked much better second half. The important thing was getting the three points. All three goals from set pieces as well. Groomy was man of the match, an excellent display from him at left back when he came on. Callum had a good game as well with some important saves particularly in the first half.
Next up Park View at home. Should be another tough game. See you there