The Y&E got back to winning ways with an important 2-1 win against Jarrow. Two first half goals from leading marksman Tom Atkinson fired the home team in to the lead, but an 81st minute goal form Jarrow made for a nervy ending to the game at chilly Bedford Terrace.
After the poor display against Tow Law, it was chance for the Y&E to the double over Jarrow after a 2-1 win back in July. The contrast in weather couldn’t have been more evident, in Jarrow Y&E OAP Jim Topping was sat on the grass pre match in shorts and shirt, but for the return leg he looked like he was headed for an arctic expedition. Considering the temperature, there was decent crowd of 115 in attendance, including a decent contingent from Jarrow and the Leven Ultras in attendance, who kept singing the whole game through. Quality lads.
There was a few changes to the starting XI. Callum was in goal, Sam Conway and Joe Dalton wing backs, with Leo, Can and Proc central defence. Marshy and CF7 in central midfield. . Up front Josh Larkin (JL11 now) was alongside Harry just behind Tom. Ste Roberts was missing, due to his fiancé giving birth to baby boy the night before. Congratulations Team Roberts!! On the bench, HST, Joe Hillerby, Joe Scaiffe Wheatley, Foz Garton and Ethan Jones.
Pre match there was a minutes applause in honour of Ian Marshall, better known to many of us as Marshy’s dad. Ian was a huge supporter of the Y&E, despite living in Western Australia and more recently Milan. He sadly passed away unexpectedly last weekend. Our thoughts are with Ian’s family and friends at this sad time.
The game got under way and it was a fairly even start, bit teams largely cancelling each other out. There was early chances for both sides, JL11 with a looped corner punched clear and Jarrow breaking down the left on 15mins, with proc able to deflect it before Callum gathered the ball. We took the lead on 24mins, some excellent work down the right, JL11 able to dribble past a defender at the byline and put a dangerous cross in to the 6 yard box, where Tom had peeled to the far post and slotted home easily.
We were playing well, and competing in midfield. There was a few decent challenges going in and a few moments of discussion between teams on the laws of the game. We double d our lead on 41 mins, a looped clearance was mis judged by the Jarrow keeper, which isn’t the best thing to do with Tom about. Our Top scorer was soon with the ball and slotting home in to an empty net. We nearly made it three 2 minutes later, Sam Conway played in down the left and his rasping shot was just wide of the far post. At the other end Jarrow had an effort from distance saved easily by Callum. That was that for the first half, we’d been solid at the back, combative in midfield and had taken our chances.
Out for the second half unchanged. It wasn’t long before CF7 was in the book, although it looked harsh, an off the ball scuffle where he was tripped up and he was booked. He was subbed on 51 mins for HST. Harry W had a decent effort form distance on 54mins which just went past the post, would have done his XG the world of good that one. On 57mins a mistimed sliding challenge from JL11 got the away side and bench a little agitated. It wasn’t a malicious one at all, both players going for the ball, and the Jarrow player went down. He was OK and a yellow for JL11. Soon after the big Jarrow 9 , pancaked Leo to the floor, drove up front and shot but it was well saved by Callum. JL11 was subbed for Hillers on 70mins. Soon after Harry W was in the book for continuing his dribble after he was flagged offside.
On 73 mins, Jarrow had an appeal for a penalty waved away. From where I was stood it looked like a let off for the Y&E, but we weren’t complaining! You win some you lose some. With 15mins to go, Leo was replaced by Ethan Jones. A good shift again form Leo. Both teams had chances, with Proc defending one effort well and Tom just offside. There was another let off for us as a good run by Jarrow and an excellent shot struck the bar. The 2-0 curse wasn’t going to strike again was it? On 81mins Jarrow did get one back, a ball into the box and mix up at the back, where a few Y&E players collided, the ball breaking to a Jarrow player who calmly slot home. 2-1 with 9mins to go.
A few more subs for the Y&E with Sam Conway replaced by Scaiffe, and Foz on for Tom. In between that a bit of handbags in front of our bench, with a Jarrow player and Jacko in the book. 5 mins of stoppage time and the Y&E held out. An important 3 points in the bag against a good Jarrow side. A much better performance from Tow Law which sets us up nicely ahead of the visit of FC Hartlepool on Saturday.
Jarrow are a good team, they played well in a tough game. They had some chances and battle well throughout. They’ll be in and round the playoff places come the end of the season. Good luck to them for the rest of the campaign.
As for the Y&E, much better than Tow Law. Played with intensity, work rate and took our chances. Defensively solid against a physical Jarrow attack. We battled well in midfield and Tom is a bagsman. CF7 and JL11 looked close to their best, both making important contributions. The central back 3 were impressive. Special mention to Marshy. He covered every blade of grass on the pitch, tackles, blocks, work rate, effort- a vintage Marshy performance. He did himself, his family who were watching from the stands and importantly his dad proud.
That one was for you Ian Marshall.