Over 300 minutes of football in six days proved no problem for the Yarm & Eaglescliffe boys as they take home the Ernest Armstrong trophy in a dramatic ending to a game. After winning the North riding cup and achieving promotion Y&E would face Darlington town in the cup final with a chance to secure a treble in what has been an amazing season. In dramatic fashion Y&E would win 3-2 on penalties after overcoming a 3-goal deficit.
Match Report from Jo McCue
A slow start for Y&E proved to be very costly as a ball in behind the defence wasn’t dealt with and was chipped brilliantly over the keeper and into the net for 1-0. After a few good saves by Ethan in goal the inevitable happened and Darlington took a 2-0 lead after 14minutes with a close-range volley smashed into the top of the net. Just as things started looking up for Y&E calamity would strike as a lovely move by Darlington was put away for 3-0 just 10 minutes after the second.
After going 3 down the Y&E would eventually settle into the game and start to create a few chances which saw Cam Wild head straight at the keeper from a dangerous corner. Then just before half time a run down the right-hand side by Ste Roberts sees his cross turned home by the defender to throw Y&E a lifeline in the game.
A half time sub saw Callum Roberts go in-between the sticks ready for the second half . A good start to the half saw Y&E create more chances and look more like the team who won promotion. Finally, after 10 minutes of high-pressure Y&E were rewarded with a Tom Atkinson goal who received the ball through and beat his man to turn it home to make it 3-2. Now the game was on, and Darlington looked a little nervous. Some great play by Darlington Town with a break up the middle saw their striker with a golden opportunity to make it 4-2 but he doesn’t connect with the ball properly and Callum saves it to keep Y&E in the game.
Then just four minutes later captain fantastic Cam Wild would climb tallest to reach a cross from Ste Roberts and head home for 3-3. Mission impossible was almost complete but now all eyes were set on the trophy for the Y&E. Now playing at full confidence Y&E would pile it all on Darlington as they looked to get the winner and complete the treble. A great break by Tom Atkinson sees his effort agonisingly wide of the post with only 20 minutes left to play. With it all on the line both sides battled hard and tried for the winner, but it wasn’t enough as we go to penalties for the 3rd time in a week for Y&E.
Darlington win the coin toss and set up ready for the first penalty but in their way is Callum who which worked as he comfortably saves it giving Y&E the chance to take the advantage. Up steps Cam Wild with a chance at 1-0 but his penalty is well saved by the Darlington keeper. Once again Callum was ready but their second misses the goal completely to keep it 0-0. Next was Tom Atkinson with a chance to cap off what can only be described as a phenomenal season for himself and does so as he ripples the side of the net giving Y&E the lead. Callume is sent the wrong way and Darlington finally score their first penalty. Ste Roberts walks up to the spot, the man who initiated the comeback with a chance to give Y&E the lead which he does so cooly as he sends the keeper the wrong way. Darlington would prepare for the next penalty which was needed but Callum with an unbelievable save tips it onto the post and gives Y&E the chance to win with the next penalty. After scoring the winning penalty in the North Riding cup Josh Larkin would step up with a chance to win it but unfortunately, he sends it over the bar. Darlington’s next penalty would be scored brilliantly and give them a small glimmer of hope. That glimmer of hope would be shattered by Josh Marshall with all the pressure on his shoulders would bury his penalty and give them the trophy. What a comeback!
After what can only be described as an unbelievable season Y&E cap it off with another trophy as they prepare for life in division one. The fight and spirit from this team who lost out on the league title on 98 points has been immense as they beat York and Scarbrough to win the North Riding cup, then get promotion through the play offs and finally cap it off with this trophy. What a season and what a way to end this historic campaign for the Blue and White of Y&E.