The Y&E progressed to the 1st round of the Vase after a hard fought 1-0 away win at Pickering Town. A first half Ste Roberts Penalty was the difference between the teams in difficult conditions in North Yorkshire.
It was quite a day out for the Y&E, with a full bus of supporters and players heading down the A19 and up Sutton Bank. Everyone was in good spirits on the way over, despite the monsoon like conditions on Teesside. Thankfully the rain hadn’t been as bad at Pickering so there was no issue with the game going ahead. Arriving just after 1pm, the supporters made themselves at home in Pickering’s excellent clubhouse.
There was a couple of changes to the starting line up from the away game at Alnwick. Young defender Freddie McBride was ruled out with a leg injury, and both Ross Harrison and leading scorer Tom Atkinson were unavailable. We lined up with Callum in goal, Cam Dan Jones and Ethan Jones in the central back three with the Daltons at wing back. Joe to the left Jack to the right. In midefield Hillers lined up alongside HST. Harry Williams and Marshy lining up behind the returning Ste Roberts up front. On the bench, Joe Scaiffe Wheatly, Leo Cheeseborough, Alex Dougall, Adam Groom and Sam Conway.
Special mention to Jack Dalton. A player who has been with the club since it’s inception way back in 2017 who was making his 200th appearance against Pickering Town. He’s been rolling back the years over the past few weeks, with some barnstorming performances at right wing back. A true Y&E legend. Congratulations Jack.
The weather was a bit wet, with a steady breeze in to our faces first half. There is quite a slope at the Recreation ground, from one touchline to another, which took us a little time to get used to. It was pretty vine for the first 10 minutes or so as both teams looked to keep it tight. Pickering settled better than us and had a good spell of play as we got towards 15 minutes in. The rain git heavier and this correspondent had to take shelter in the stand. We were struggling to get much of the ball in midfield and it took until about 25 mins before HST was able to create something, with a lovely ball up to Ste, but the Pikes keeper came out well to clear.
The hosts had a fair bit of pace in their team, particular their 7 who capitalised on a dangerous free lick for the Y&E that was cleared, to drive forward but his effort was wide. Callum was called on shortly after to save well from a dangerous cross / shot. We were battling but the hosts were playing better and we weren’t getting many of the decisions. A key decision went our way on 36 minutes, following a set piece Cam was felled in their box and the ref pointed to the spot. After a bit of discussion & treatment for Cam, Ste Roberst stepped up and calmly slotted it home. Sitting in front of his family , I could feel the nervous energy, but Ste has ice in his veins and he was never going to miss. 1-0 up.
Ste had a chance shortly after to double the lead but his effort was well saved. The goal had given us a lift and we were playing with a more confidence. Into first half stoppage time and a dangerous cross was well saved That was the last action of the first half. In to the clubhouse to try and dry out. We were a goal up and had looked relatively solid, and had grown in to the game.
There was one change at half time, with Sam Conway replacing Joe Dalton at left wing back. We were under a bit of early pressure, but held firm, they had penalty appeal waved away. We mad a substitution around the hour mark with Ste replacing Dougs. Another excellent game from Ste. Dougs was up front. A minute or so late, their 10 was in the book after getting a bit annoyed about complaining about a throw in being given. With the extra man for the next 10 minutes we had probably our best spell of the game, Marshy was brought down in the box after a lovely move, but nothing was given. Talking to some Pickering fans in the bar post game, they conformed it was definitely a penalty. In to the last 30 minutes and Dougs had an effort form distance just wide of the near post. HST was doing HST things and had an excellent effort saved by their keeper. The rain kept pouring, and the tackles kept coming in, a proper cup tie. Their was a late challenge on HST from their 9, which sparked some of field discussion on the laws of the game, Harry W in to protect Titch. Their 5 ended up in the book.
Harry Williams had a chance up front but was unable to control the ball. In to the last 15 minutes and Sam Conway found himself in their box with an excellent chance but it was saved. Less than a minute later Sam was in at the centre of things on the left-hand side of our box, a slight mis timed slide tackle bringing down on of their players. For readers who are of a certain age, it was like a Sensible Soccer challenge on the Amiga in the mid 90s. Their 10 went to take the penalty. He didn’t place the ball correctly, and Callum being the diligent goalkeeper that he is, insisted that the ball should be placed correctly on the spot. This went on for a minute or two. With the Pickering Ultras behind the goal, voicing their disapproval at our number 1. (They even had the audacity to call us Geordies in the first half – must have been directed at me & Dougs). Eventually everyone was happy with the positioning of the ball and the 10 struck it to Callum’s left, he reacted and saved it, with the 10 getting to the rebound and his shot was saved by Callum’s legs, with the further rebound being hit high and wide by the hosts. That felt like scoring a goal!
Not long left now, we needed to keep it solid at the back, nothing daft. Scaiffe came on for Hillers. Dan Jones went in to the book, I can’t remember what for. Groomy came on for HST, who had been booked as well for kicking the ball away apparently after a precious slide tackle. At the other end we had c chance form a Cam Wild header that was cleared off the line, Marshy and Harry W linked up well but our effort was blocked. In to stoppage time (all 7 minutes of them!!!). A whipped in shot form the left hand side form Pickering rattles our bar (similar to the early effort at Alnwick) and then an excellent save from Callum from the rebound. Leo came on for Ethan Jones, Last cruel of minutes, blocks, tackles clearances and a few throw ins won in their half. Then the ref blew up. We’d only gone and won 1-0 and in to the first round proper of the FA Vase for the first time ever. Some effort that lads. We’d beaten a top Step 5 side.
Fair play to Pickering. The Recreation ground is a cracking set up. Brilliant clubhouse which did a decent trade on Saturday. Everyone was really friendly and I had a good chat with a few of their fans pre, during and post game. They played well first half and were the better side, we came in to it more in the second half. Best of luck to them for the rest of the season.
As for the Y&E, what can you say? We put in a hell of a shift today. Up there with the best away wins I’ve seen us put in. Up there with Boro Rangers away back in 2021. We were solid, we worked, we played some good football in difficult conditions. Proud to be part of the club. Callum was in superb form. Not just the penalty save, but plenty of other saves and excellent distribution. Jack Dalton 200 not out. A trademark Jack performance. Joe Dalton, did well first half, bu picked up a knock. The Central back three, absolutely colossal. Ethan was brilliant, Cam could have scored but won the penalty. Jonesy – nowt getting past him. In the middle Hillers didn’t stop, HST energy and passing vision, Marshy and Harry Willians covered miles and miles and miles between them. Ste – Stone Cold for the penalty. Off the bench, Sam Conway, did down the left, Dougs nearly scored, some audacious flicks and tricks. Scaiffe, Leo and Grammy slotted straight in when they cam on and did well. The management team – kicked every ball, headed every header and talked the lads through the game. Superb again. The Support – Outstanding.
One of the great days watching the Y&E. Here’s to many more