Yarm & Eaglescliffe exited the Brooks Mileson League cup on Tuesday evening, after a 3-1 home defeat by fellow Northern League Division one side Prudhoe Youth Club.
With the postponement of last Saturdays home game against Jarrow, the Y&E were looking to keep up the momentum after an important 4-0 league victory over Tow Law last week. With the games coming thick and fast over the next few weeks, we made a few changes to the starting XI, but the lineup was still full of Northern League experience. Ethan Lansdell was in goal, with Foz at right wing back & Sam Conway at left back. Joe Dalton played in his 10th position of the season as a centre back alongside Jack Dalton (who was captain for the night) and Alex Dougall. In midfield we had Hillers and Joe Scaiffe Wheatley with Josh Larkin and Harry Williams playing just behind Tom. On the bench there was plenty of youth with U21 players James Nicholson and Sean Earl making their first team debuts alongside fellow U21 player Liam Vickers. They were joined by Harry Stewart Titchner and Reece McMann.
It was good to see a fair few of the U21s at the game cheering on Sean, James and Liam. The U21s certainly helped the club out by pretty much clearing out the cafe of food. They’ve got some appetite them lads!
The opening stages of the game were fairly even, but the Y&E had the best of the opening chances with Larkin and Hillers linking up well to set Tom free who fired just wide of the left post. Sam Conway had a decent chance from distance that went wide. As this correspondent was getting a pie & chips midway through the first half, there was a bit of afters, with the Prudhoe number 8 lucky not to be carded after a kick out at Larkin. He was booked a couple of mins later. Prudhoe were awarded a penalty on 22mins, when Joe Dalton was adjudged to have handled in the box. I thought it was harsh and that the ref didn’t have the clearest of views, but I’m not the ref and his decision was made. Prudhoe captain Brad Rogers stepped up and scored the penalty. 1-0 down.
Seven minutes later they doubled their lead, with a quality finish, Steven Anderson winning the ball and then unleashing an excellent shot into the top corner from the left side of the box. A very good goal. It wasn’t going to plan for us! Prudhoe with a two goal advantage were solid at the back and we struggled to create any decent chances for the rest of the half. We had some possession and a couple of good spells of play to end the second half, but didn’t trouble their keeper. 2-0 at half time.
Into the second half and the weather started to get a bit wetter! With the rain coming down most of the Y&E faithful retreated to the stand, except for the hardy JL10 supporters club who remained steadfast in the support for the Y&E stood in the pouring rain for the second Tuesday in a row!
There was a couple of changes at half time, James Nicholson on for Joe Dalton and HST replacing Scaiffe Wheatley. We got an early goal back with a superbly placed shot from Foz Garton on the right hand side of the box, which nestled in the goal at the far post. If he tells you that he meant that one, take that comment with a pinch of salt, but we didn’t care as we were back in the game on 47minutes.
That lead didn’t last long as Prudhoe restored their two goal advantage with a Freddie Marr effort from distance that managed to sneak in at the far post. 3-1 down on 53minutes. Jacko made a few more subs, with Reece on for Hillers, Liam replacing Tom and Sean Earl on for Sam Conway.
A clever HST free kick was met by Foz whose sliding effort hit the post. That was our best chance of the second half. Prudhoe were teaming solid in defence and as the rain continued to fall, we struggled to cause them any issues. There was a few late bookings for both teams and Prudhoe ran out 3-1 winners and the Brooks Mileson Memorial Cup dream was over for another year for the Y&E.
Credit to Prudhoe, second time they have beaten us this season. Becoming a bit of a bogey team for us. They took their chances and defended well and deserved to win on the night. They’ll face another away trip in the next round with a trip to Darlington Town.
As for the Y&E – not our best display of the season by any means. We had a few chances early on, but never really managed to threaten the Prudhoe goal once we had gone behind. There was some hope early on in the second half, but that was snuffed out by the 3rd goal from the visitors. There was some pluses, valuable experience for the U21 lads. A taste of Northern League football on a soaking wet Wednesday night in Billingham- proper non league. They did well and I’m sure they will have learned plenty from the experience. It’s always good to see good young players coming through.
Some big games ahead between now and Christmas. Starting with Newbiggin away in the league and then York City at home in the County Senior Cup. Hope to see you there.
Howay the mighty Y&E 🔵⚪️🦅