SPENNYMOOR TOWN V MATLOCK TOWN

FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round 

This week AGCR takes a second visit of the season to the Brewery Field this time for a foray into the FA Trophy. In a First Qualifying Round tie Spennymoor Town take on NPL Premier Division rivals Matlock Town. It is a lovely day in South Durham with blue skies, sunshine and a mild breeze ruffling the trees behind each goal, their autumn leaf fall aided and abetted by some wayward shooting during the warm up.

Spennymoor will hope to replicate their FA Cup form that has propelled them into the first round proper of the senior tournament – but will next week’s tie at MK Dons prove a distraction from the more realistic prospect of a good Trophy run. Both of today’s teams have winning records in the league so a tight game is expected.

Matlock start the better, pressing forward without any end product until, fifteen minutes in, Niall McManus swings a deep cross, right footed in from the left wing. It is too deep for his forwards to reach, and ditto for Spennymoor keeper Dan Lowson who clutches at thin air as the ball sails over his head and in to the net.

The lead is not undeserved and minutes later Matlock centre half Dwayne Wiley tries to double it with a header from a corner that this time Lowson is able to reach low down to his right.

By the half hour Matlock are fading and Spennymoor look more like a home team on a nine game unbeaten run. Shane Henry has a header cleared on the line before an angled cross eludes everyone in the box, and narrowly misses the far post. A Robert Ramshaw volley rattles the low stand roof behind the goal and twice shots from Mark Anderson are half-blocked by the impressive Matlock defenders before being pounced upon by the equally vigilant keeper, Phil Barnes.

Through all this Matlock remain dangerous on the break with Curtis Morrison and Marcus Dinanga forming a mobile and speedy duo up front.

Spennymoor start the second half as they ended the first, piling on the pressure. After five minutes an innocuous looking prod forward dribbles through the heart of the Matlock defence, a possibility seen only by Spennymoor’s Anderson who runs onto it and coolly slots the ball into the corner of the net.

The home team press for a winner and Anderson flicks a smart header goalward from a good centre from Kallum Griffiths, only to see Barnes tip it expertly over the bar. Barnes is called into action again when a thirty-five yard pile driver from Jamie Chandler dips viciously requiring the keeper to employ his knees to deflect the ball back out.

As Spennymoor go all out for a win they leave space behind that Matlock are well able to exploit. McManus is key to their breaks, shooting just over the bar and getting his head to a fierce cross, requiring Lowson to back-peddle and catch the loping ball right on his line.

Ten minutes to go heralds some frantic end to end play. In particular Nathan Fisher for Spennymoor (on since half time) and McManus for Matlock take turns to threaten; McManus’ two attempts flash across the goal, while Fisher’s two rise over the bar.

With just a few minutes left Morrison for Matlock is forced away from goal but manages to turn and make his way along the dead ball line. With no angle to work with and precious little support he fires the ball hard and low towards the near post. Lowson stoops to gather and somehow lets the ball through his grasp and between his legs with a final ricochet off his ankle sending the ball spinning agonisingly slowly over the line for an almost comic goal.

But it is no laughing matter for Spennymoor who have dominated for three quarters of the game. They throw everything forward but the nearest thing to a goal is back at their end when Lowson has to tip over a speculative long distance shot. Such is a goalkeeper’s lot that a couple of good saves mean nought when weighed against two errors that cost the game.

Matlock will return home buoyed by their good fortune; Spennymoor will have to now take the more difficult route to Wembley via Milton Keynes.

GUISBOROUGH TOWN V PADIHAM

FA Vase 1st Round  - 22 October 2016

The FA Vase is back in the frame this week with a Round 1 tie at the King George V Stadium in Guisborough. A visit to the KGV is always a pleasure, but today the trees surrounding the ground are in their autumn colours, the grass is green and lush after a sharp shower, and the sun is shining on the North York Moors beyond the swimming pool roof.

Guisborough’s place in the first round is due to exemption from qualifying based on last year’s performance. Based on this year’s performance it will be a surprise to reach Round 2. They lie second bottom of the Northern League Division 1 after the departure of their long term boss down the road to Whitby Town, who then recruited a handful of the better players. They are also in the midst of an injury crisis.

Padiham are exactly mid-table in the equivalent North West Counties League Premier Division where they have as many wins as losses and a goal difference of zero. In recent years the NL has had the better of encounters with the NWCL but Guisborough will do well to maintain that trend here today. The omens stack up as the Priorymen’s home strip is Sunderland stripes, whereas the visitors’ is almost a Chelsea blue.

Padiham win some early corners, one resulting from a good shot from Joe Whittington, well saved by home keeper James Dawson. Guisborough get a set piece chance of their own via a free kick; Leon Carling gets some body part on it that requires keeper Michael Donlan to react quickly and palm the ball away.

A pattern emerges whereby Padiham take control of midfield, knock the ball up to centre forward James Dean and look for lay offs. Dean is good in the target man role and shooting opportunities arise; Garry Hunter hits the best one forcing another fine save from Dawson. Dean himself gets a chance with a glancing header but that is more comfortably saved.

For Guisborough, their attempts to keep possession generally results in the ball going backwards before being hit long into the channels. This is occasionally effective. Thibault Charmey gets clear but his attempt to chip the keeper is too low; Adam Cocks seems to have outpaced his marker to reach the bye-line but cannot make progress along it; and Thomas Bligh shows skill to beat a player or two before screwing one shot across rather than at the goal, then another well over the bar.

At the half hour Guisborough centre forward Connor Smith gets an accidental smack in the chops as he challenges for a high ball. He has to retire and for a few minutes his team are down to ten men and are under pressure. Dean slices a shot high and wide, and then Whittington has a header from point blank range saved by the inspired Dawson. Even when his save rebounds back off Whittington he is able to keep the ball out.

Despite the belated appearance of the Guisborough substitute, Padiham continue to dominate the play to half time. However in the last minute another Guisborough break gives Charmey a run in on goal from the left; but the keeper knows his angles and blocks without fuss.

That it is goalless at half time is due mainly to Dawson in the Guisborough goal who has made three excellent saves. Padiham are firmly on top but with nothing to show for it.

And right from the start of the second period Dawson is back in action with saves from Pickup and Whittington. Minutes later Kieron Pickup hits another shot, and this one is unstoppable, finding the top corner of the net and giving the visitors a deserved lead.

Guisborough respond with spirit. Charmey, despite being a little isolated up front, manages a shot narrowly wide and a couple of headers further off target. Padiham still look the more likely scorers with Dean continuing to feature. He has looked a better player with his back to goal than facing it, one run ending with a tame toe poke straight at the keeper, but with about ten minutes left he does turn and get a firm low shot on target. Dawson makes his expected good save but the parry merely presents substitute Aaron Taylor with a tap in to double the lead.

Guisborough try to respond and a good run from Bligh ends in a Donlon save, and at this end the rebound falls less favourably and a blocked shot loops up into the keeper’s hands. With time just about up Padiham midfielder Mark Coyne muscles his way down the right wing and crosses well for Dean to stretch out a long leg and volley the ball home for goal he has deserved on work rate alone.

Into time added Guisborough make a final substitution, but even bringing on Messi would not help now, and it finishes 0-3.

Guisborough’s effort could not be faulted but Padiham seemed to have more solidity about them and once ahead were coasting. The Priorymen’s struggle of a season will continue without the distraction of a FA Vase run. Padiham on the other hand look like they have a few more rounds in them.

YORK CITY v CURZON ASHTON

FA Cup 4^th Qualifying Round - 15 October 2016

The fourth is the scantiest of the FA Cup qualifying rounds with just thirty-two ties across the country. Most of the region’s teams still in the tournament are playing away but a short rail trip is all that’s needed to see York City play Curzon Ashton.

Having lost their league status at the end of last season York need to qualify for the competition proper for the first time in four years. They are finding life in the Conference no easier than in League Two and are towards the bottom of the table. Hence the manager is serving notice while continuing in charge today. Opponents Curzon Ashton are a level down in the Conference North, but are not tearing up trees either. So the quality may not be high today but both teams will be keen to progress if only to get a few seconds on the next round’s TV highlight show.

The weather is pleasant with a weak sun peeking through the clouds over Bootham Crescent. Six pounds gains entry to the main stand, from where a good view - elevated but close the good-looking pitch - is available from the wooden tip-up seats. The Minstermen are in red and their visitors in eye-catching bright green or yellow; as their travelling support sing “we’re Curzon Ashton, and we glow in the dark.” Unfortunately in the dark is where I could be with identifying the players as the programmes are sold out and the PA announced line-up is less than crystal clear. In mitigation the York players carry their names on their shirts.

Curzon have the best of the initial exchanges until York wide man Rooney makes a break down the right and outpaces his marker. The Curzon keeper rushes off his line but his challenge misses the ball and trips Rooney instead. The resultant penalty is taken by centre forward Brodie and despatched without fuss.

The early lead fails to settle York or dispirit Curzon. The Ashton team continue their tidy play and the number 6 consistently finds space on the left. After 25 minutes he cuts in and places a shot low towards the corner of the goal. But it is not hit hard enough and the York keeper saves at full stretch. A couple of minutes later he again gets a chance to shoot and, aiming for more power, drags the ball onto a trajectory wide of the far post. However centre forward Cummings is following in and manages from a tight angle to squeeze the ball home between goalie and the post.

The 1-1 score better reflects the play, and close to half time Curzon get a chance to go ahead with a free kick five or ten yards outside the box. It is Gareth Bale territory but unfortunately he’s engaged elsewhere and the Curzon player entrusted with the kick puts it two yards over the bar.

York come out after the break with more intensity and for twenty minutes look the higher ranked team, particularly after making a double substitution that introduces Felix and Dixon into the game. Both have energy and Felix has serious speed; he leads a break down the right and his cross gives the Curzon defender a moment’s concern as his lunged interception narrowly misses his own goal. Dixon’s contribution is an ambitious 35 yard strike that goes the same distance wide.

As the half wears on York’s dominance fades and Curzon have a good spell. The half time substitute, wearing the number 17 shirt, is active on the left and, capitalising on a rare error from York centre half Higgins, drives on goal but finds his shot blocked. Cummings gets the next chance running onto a ball in the penalty area; his shot is blocked by a defenders outstretched leg, and then arm as the ball deflects up, but it is no penalty.

Into the last quarter hour there is a sense that Curzon will be happy to keep the draw they have and they drop a bit deep, conceding both possession and territory to York. The home team press on but fail to make anything of it; however the visitors exploit the space left behind when the enterprising number 17 again makes a break down the left. His pin point cross provides Cummings with a free header five yards from goal. Cummings’ header is firmly down to the foot of the post, but is anticipated and well saved by the keeper.

With full time rapidly approaching both teams sense a winner is still possible. The Curzon number seven weaves a diagonal run past a few defenders and into the York box. He pulls the trigger but the shot is well blocked by full back Oyerbanjo. The ball is cleared out to Felix who races up to the other end but finds no team mates have been able to keep up with him and, outnumbered, he is dispossessed. The ball see-saws back to the other end but ends in a wild shot over the bar.

Into the added three minutes the tension is affecting the tackling. The teams exchange ineffective free kicks from what should have been dangerous positions. At the last gasp a York free kick does create some excitement as the Curzon keeper’s punch clear is returned as a shot that appears to strike an arm as it is blocked. It’s a similar shout to Curzon’s earlier and gets the same negative response from the referee.

It is the last action, so a Monday night replay will be needed to see whose cup run will continue to the relative glamour of Round One.

SHILDON v NEWTON AYCLIFFE

Northern League Division 1 - 8 October 2016

After a hectic five weeks of FA Cup and Vase action the void this week is filled with a top of the table (4^th v 3^rd) derby clash between Shildon and Newton Aycliffe. Dean Street, with which I am more than familiar, has a traditional feel to it and is looking good in the sunshine which has tempted the whole of the home team into their short sleeved red shirts; the visitors blue are more a hotchpotch of long, short and short with almost matching protruding under-armour.

The game starts at a hundred miles an hour, neither team wanting to give their opponents time on the ball. Aycliffe’s Dennis Knight overdoes the pressing and is booked within five minutes. Not much later a Shildon corner creates danger and a goal line clearance drops to the feet of attacker Lewis Wing. He is in the box with his back to goal but has the skill to turn and chip a great ball back across to the opposite post where teammate Michael Rae sidefoots a shot into the net.

The lead settles Shildon and they have the balance of play for the next half hour without concrete reward; but they do lose Wing to an injury. His replacement, Paul Connor is right into the action. Running onto a bouncing through ball he lifts it over the advancing keeper to double the lead. Half time is approaching but Shildon get a corner and from it Billy Greulich-Smith rises high and heads in a third goal.

It could be game over but moving into added time Dennis Knight is brought down within range of the Shildon goal. He takes the free kick himself and finds a gap between the wall and the near post that the keeper can’t plug in time. It may just keep Aycliffe in the game and make for a more positive half time in the visitors’ dressing room.

In the first quarter hour after the resumption it is Shildon who look most likely to score. Headers from Daniel Moore and Paul Connor, and shots from Michael Rae and David Ferguson go wide or are saved by a busy Lewis Brass in the Aycliffe goal.

Newton Aycliffe break from time to time, and skipper Paul Garthwaite, who has been uncharacteristically quiet, finally finds some time and space in midfield. He looks up and curls a long diagonal cross perfect for Knight to dive full length at and head home his, and his team’s second goal.

Suddenly a home win looks less certain. Shildon have more chances with a Feguson header and a toe poke from centre half Dan Groves after a forceful run from the back, but neither is good enough to beat Brass. Aycliffe’s danger man Knight wins another well placed free kick, and though his shot deflects off the wall it still needs Nick Liversedge to tip the ball round the post. For Shildon, late substitute Amar Purewal almost seals the win but his header comes back off the post.

At the death a sliced Shildon clearance gives Knight a run on goal that is ended with a tactical foul that gives Newton Aycliffe what could be a final chance at an equaliser. Knight takes, but sees his shot blocked deep in the six yard box. As the ball rebounds out of the penalty area it is cleared before Knight can get to it; however he does get to the defender who cleared it, whom he royally clatters, receiving a straight red card.

Knight’s eventful afternoon – booked on five minutes, scoring two goals, sent off – is not over yet as there is a fracas in the tunnel as he exits the field. Disruption is still bubbling as the final whistle goes to end an eventful game that Shildon deserved to win but made hard work of.

FARSLEY CELTIC v BISHOP AUCKLAND

FA Cup 3^rd Qualifying Round - 1 October 2016

Forsaking the shorter but repeated trip back to Spennymoor, A Good Cup Run heads to West Yorkshire to see Farsley Celtic play Bishop Auckland. Bishop Auckland are one of the two Northern League teams remaining in the cup, and having despatched two Northern Premier Division 1 North sides in the previous two rounds they will not be fazed by facing another. But crucially they are not at home today, and Farley Celtic are much nearer the top of their league than Ossett Albion and Trafford.

Throstle Nest is situated in a residential area of Farsley. It has the ubiquitous grandstand straddling the half way line, and covered standing behind one goal. Elsewhere the ground is enclosed by a blue corrugated steel fence that along with the tall floodlight pylons give it the feel of a correctional facility. Although no prisoners are taken here with four wins from four at home so far this season.

The dominant blue paint reflects Farsley’s colours, so Bishop Auckland have to change from their two blues to a fluorescent yellow-green, which is bright enough to affect the ‘reactolite’ lenses in my glasses. There is no other reason for them to darken so, as the sun is obscured by cloud on this otherwise pleasant October day.

From the kick off Celtic press forward but Bishop absorb the attacks and soon have a good spell of their own. On fifteen minutes Auckland’s big man up front, Ian Ward, lays off the ball to Adam Nicholls whose rising thumps hard against the roof of the low stand. Ward’s forward partner, the quick Andrew Johnson, has the visitors’ next attempt, cutting in from the right and curling a shot on target, but it’s in the centre of the goal giving Celtic keeper Graeme McKibbin an easy save.

All Farsley’s huffing and puffing produces little threat until a long pass and a bad bounce presents Richard Marshall with the ball and space in the box, but a bad touch from him sees the ball run dead. McKibbin has more work to do in the Farsley goal first from a careless back pass and then from an Alex Francis daisy-cutter that goes hard and low but straight at him.

The next chance falls to Farsley when a long ball puts James Walshaw through, but his attempt to lift the ball over the advancing keeper fails. In fact the ball does not even go dead and this enables Bishop to move the ball quickly upfield to Johnson who lays it back to Priestley Griffith. His first touch lifts the ball off the ground and his second smashes a volley past the helpless McKibbin into the back of the net.

With ten minutes to half time Celtic endeavour to reply, bossing the possession and territory. They win a couple of free kick within range; one is blocked by the wall and the other is hammered straight at the keeper Edward Wilczynski, which he does well to hold on to with forwards advancing to challenge for any rebound. Wilczynski copes less well with a harmless looking cross but Celtic fail to profit from the fumble.

As half time is due Bishop finally relieve the pressure, and from the corner flag a cross is hoisted into the centre. Ward, six foot plus and well-built, is up against Farsley’s full back Ryan Serrant, a wiry five foot eight; the outcome is a flattened full back and a Ward header firmly planted into the corner of the net. But the referee sees the contest as unfair and blows for a foul.

The second half settles into a pattern of Farsley pressing for the equaliser and Bishop defending stoutly and relying on the speed of Johnson up front to counter. For Farsley, Walshaw tries to smuggle a corner in at the near post, then right back Aaron Hardy shoots hard and low, with both attempts foiled by Wilczynski. He can’t get near Lewis Nightingale’s fizzing 25 yard drive, but thankfully watches it graze the outside of a post.

Bishop counter on the break with Johnson outpacing the defence only to find McKibbin standing up well to block. But it is temporary respite and Hardy puts in another telling cross from the Farsley right that Walshaw can’t quite get high enough to do more than glance wide. More crosses follow from either flank but generally the Bishop defence head clear only to find the ball coming back soon. Still, with ten minutes left the visitors remain ahead.

The Farsley management send on substitutions, eventually it looks like four up front; Bishop respond by dropping midfielders deep. A headed chance comes to Walshaw close to goal, and it looks like a bad miss until the referee points for a corner, so someone, keeper or defender, got something in the way. From the corner a shot is fired over the bar.

With cleared balls just coming straight back, Bishop left back Michael Hoganson tries a new approach and carries the ball diagonally the length of the field, forcing McKibbin into another one-on-one encounter that he again repels.

The last five minutes, and the three added (the home crowd demand more), are spent in the Bishop half with free kicks and corners raining in. It’s crowded in the penalty area with McKibbin even popping up for corners. From one of these the ball comes to him but he wisely passes it on to Nightingale who unleashes Farsley's best shot of the game. It’s goal bound but Wilczynski flies to his left to get both hands to the ball and push it round the post. Nightingale has time for another shot but this time fires a volley wide.

And then it is over. Bishop Auckland have survived a torrid second half onslaught. Their win resulted from having a good share of the first half and scoring a high quality goal when the chance presented itself; defending valiantly as a team throughout the second half; and saving brilliantly the one decent strike on goal that Farsley Celtic could muster out of all their possession.

Thus does Bishop Auckland’s impressive FA Cup run continue into the final qualifying round.