SPENNYMOOR TOWN V HALESOWEN TOWN

Northern Premier League Premier Division 

Spring has sprung at Brewery Field - sunshine, blue skies, green grass and white lines set the scene on a smashing day for football. Spennymoor are on a good run, three wins on the bounce have propelled them to a play-off spot that is even better than it looks as in a tight bunch they have two or three games in hand on the teams around them.

That group does not include Halesowen Town who are towards the foot of the table but with sufficient points not to make relegation a worry. So will they be relaxed and fluent or uninterested and sloppy? A word on their kit: yellow shirts fine, but ditch the white shorts for black to match the trim.

The slope at Spennymoor is always an issue and it looks like the visitors have chosen to start downhill. It seems to suit them too as they enjoy some early success up front with the strapping Serigne Diop and the quick Ben Clarke linking well to win a corner and a couple of free kicks in range of goal. It takes twenty five minutes for Spennymoor to establish some control and produce a threat, David Dowson’s cross just evading strike partner Graeme Armstrong.

The home team are trying to build from the back but it goes wrong when a misplaced pass is intercepted by Diop. He weaves forward maintaining possession well before offloading to right back Cameron Steele. Steele shoots from range, the well hit effort bamboozling Daniel Lowson in goal who looks well placed but just waves an ineffective arm at the ball as it passes him on its way into the back of the net.

Spennymoor are stung into action and a well-hit cross into a crowded six yard box results in the ball finding the net and while the referee signals a goal he does so unconvincingly, and discussions with his assistant result (correctly) in the award instead of a Halesowen free kick for hand ball. For the rest of the half the Brewers get no closer than a free kick hammered straight into a defensive wall.

Halesowen attacks are getting fewer but a deflected clearance suddenly provides Diop with a run in on Lowson’s goal. The keeper slips, but then recovers to block at Diop’s feet, the save made at the expense of a corner and a knock on the head.

In the second half Spennymoor have the slope and begin to make it count. A free kick from Adam Mitchell is smuggled out for a corner; that corner is headed back from beyond the far post to create more danger before being cleared. Shane Henry gets to the by-line but his pull back thumps into a teammate’s chest and goes dead. An Armstrong volley is hit hard but wide. Pressure is mounting but there is no panic in the Halesowen defence – by now a back five with three screening them.

Spennymoor manager Jason Ainsley swaps two of his front men, bringing on Rob Ramshaw and new signing Connor Smith. Smith gets an early chance but puts a header wide; Ramshaw however gathers a cross with his right foot and uses the unusual amount of space afforded him to shift the ball onto his left before curling an effort inside the far post. It is a good goal and a deserved equaliser with still twenty minutes left.

Ainsley turns the screw by replacing Armstrong with Glen Taylor whose considerable height and skill enables a more direct approach. As the game enters the last five minutes Smith has a shot blocked and Jamie Chandler fires the rebound wide, Taylor has a sight of goal but screws a shot past the post, and into added time a Ramshaw header lacks power to trouble goalkeeper Daniel Platt.

At the final whistle the “Yeltz” celebrate a hard-earned draw while the Moors ponder whether this was a point won or two dropped. At least momentum has not been lost as they head into two crucial games against promotion rivals – Warrington away and Nantwich at home - which will go a long way to determine how their season pans out.

DARLINGTON 1883 V BRACKLEY

National League North

Three weeks on from our last visit to Blackwell Meadows, and it has not been a bad three weeks for Darlington with two wins and a draw since that home defeat to Harrogate. This keeps them on the fringe of the play-offs just a point adrift of fifth paced Halifax (though having played a game more). The opponents today are Brackley, one of the southernmost teams in the National League North, who are only a couple of places back themselves.

The pitch is still looking good and the weather is fine – cool, dry with a bit of a breeze. Brackley add a splash of colour when they come out in smart black and red stripes which contrast well with Darlo’s black and white hoops.

Darlington start the stronger playing downwind and force a succession of corners, four or five in as many minutes. Only one leads to a strike on goal, which keeper Laurie Walker stretches to keep out. All Brackley have to show for the first ten minutes is a header from full back James Clifton, arriving unmarked at the far post, which he fails to put on target.

Darlington continue to press. Stephen Thompson hits a free kick just wide of the angle and Nathan Cartman’s shot from distance is straight at the keeper. In between a cross is bundled into the net but only after a clear push on the keeper, which is spotted by the referee who disallows the goal.

On thirty minutes the most exciting action so far occurs when five jets fly in formation over the ground. This inspires Darlo’s best move of the half when the ball is moved diagonally through a few players to Thompson on the right; he bursts between two defenders into the box but his attempt to square the ball to well-placed colleagues does not quite work out.

After mainly playing long and high to tall centre forward Mark Beck for most of the half, Darlo are now beginning to join up the dots on the ground. That game is not helped by the pitch which despite appearances is proving to be bobbly, as is demonstrated by centre half Chris Hunter as he shanks a clearance over the stand.

Brackley have been defending for most of the half but now have a little spell up front. Adam Walker is found in the box but his shot is well saved by Ed Wilcczynski then Matt Lowe has an even better chance from twelve yards out but his shot is straight at the Darlo keeper who gathers it in comfortably. The half ends with no goals to show.

The first attempt of the second half comes from Brackley when Glenn Walker gets free down the left and crosses only for David Moyo to head over the bar. However Darlington are soon back in attacking mode and win a corner that Brackley fail to deal with. Beck is able to get his head to the loose ball and nod it on to Thompson who from a narrow angle leathers it past Walker and into the roof of the net for a spectacular score.

Brackley respond with two substitutions but they fail to change the pattern of the game and other than a couple of corners in rapid succession, rarely threaten. Credit for that goes to Hunter and fellow central defender Terry Galbraith.

A third Brackley substitution is made with ten minutes left but its effect is soon negated by an unfortunate collision near the dug-out. Glenn Walker is down for a long while receiving attention before being taken off, leaving the visitors a man light for the rest of the game. Darlo try to use the advantage but carve out only one chance when Beck gets a header on target that keeper Walker, at full stretch, tips over the bar.

There has been a few other stoppages for head knocks but the announcement of ten minutes added time causes a collective intake of breath from the home crowd who just want it over now. The length of the extra time does not prevent the home players from taking the ball to the corner flag at every opportunity making the end of the game a drab affair.

But a one nil win is a one nil win (that’s two on the trot) and as the crowd file out the results coming in from elsewhere show its value; every team that started the day above them have drawn or lost, which should put Darlington 1883 up into those coveted top five places.

NORTH SHIELDS V SHILDON

Northern League Division 1 

It is top versus third in the Northern League at the Daren Persson Stadium in North Shields. Named for the main club sponsor, a funeral director, it is known locally with typical humour, as ‘The Morgue’. It is certainly a fortress; the programme informs readers that it is 502 days since they lost in the league at home. But they did lose here in December in the FA Vase - to Shildon.

The gap first to third may already be too big for Shildon to close, so anything but a win could be curtains for any remaining hopes of retaining their title. North Shields will be less concerned about dropping points to Shildon than opening the door for their rivals across the estuary. South Shields are 11 points behind with 3 games in hand (and two Vase semi-final legs to play over the next two weeks, plus a potential final) so a loss today would give the leaders a theoretical chance of being overhauled.

The ground is nothing like a fortress at this, my first, sight. It is basically an enclosed bit of the local park with small low level covered areas straddling the half way line on each touchline – one equipped with benches and one not – the latter resembling a couple of bus shelters. At one corner is a good sized flagged terrace of about six steps on which the noisy NE29 ‘Ultras’ base themselves. More hospitably there is a newish brick clubhouse serving cans of beer to consume at plastic tables, and a separate well-stocked refreshment cabin with hot drinks, pies and chocolate bars.

The weather is dull and grey with intermittent drizzle, but it is neither cold nor windy. The pitch is well grassed but looks slippery on top. Just right for a slide tackle, but Shildon’s Danny Parker mistimes one early on and gives away a free kick near the bye-line on the right. With players massing in the six yard box the ball is instead rolled back to Dan Wilson whose shot hits the near post and cannons along the goal line where Ryan Carr is on hand to tap in.

Shildon do not let the early blow affect them unduly and soon settle into their patient possession game. This rarely proves troublesome for the home defence which has plenty of time (and willingness) to get men in good shape behind the ball. Shildon are restricted to long range shots – Jamie Harwood puts a dipper over the bar, Lewis Wing hits one straight at the keeper then another better-looking one is deflected wide.

Since the goal North Shields’ attacks have been sparse and fruitless but on the half hour Wilson bullies his way down the goal line to have a shot deflected for a corner. From the corner a clean North Shields header requires clearing off the goal line. Normal service is resumed when Shildon’s Sam Hodgson shoots from range and this time Kyle Hayes’ intervention has to be at full stretch to tip round the post.

Half time makes no difference to the shape of the game. Shildon pass the ball about in front of a well marshalled North Shields defence until someone - usually Wing -takes a hopeful long shot.

North Shields look comfortable with their lead and look most likely to increase it from a set piece. Corner kicks present the Shildon defence with increasing difficulty; one often leads to another. Then a free kick from the left comes in high to the far post where big centre half Curtis Coppen, up for that eventuality, heads it home. There is still a quarter of the game to go but it feels significant and he wheels off towards the Ultras with shirt his off to celebrate.

Shildon manager Daniel Moore’s response is to come on as a substitute and he makes a quick impact winning a free kick about thirty yards out. Wing takes it, one of his better efforts it is on target but straight at keeper Hayes. Shildon’s next attack sees a long diagonal from the left taken by Hayes while elsewhere in the box an attacker (in no danger of getting the ball) is blatantly pushed over. The referee is not interested in Shildon’s appeals but has to respond when after clearing the ball Hayes ends up in a heap on the ground. Moore is trying to look innocent but ends up with a booking.

Tempers get a bit frayed, but amidst the tackles North Shields substitute Gareth Bainbridge has a shot on target well saved by Liversedge and at the other end Wing hits another pot shot just off target.

With five minutes left a North Shields corner from the right carries to the far post and Coppen repeats his earlier feat with a short range header into the net to put the game to bed. Shildon still press and nearly get a consolation via a dart through by Burnicle, but Hayes is aware enough to rush out and smother at his feet.

The three nil home win looks more comfortable than it was. Though Shildon had most of the play they had no penetration, due in no small part to excellent defensive organisation by North Shields. In contrast Shildon’s defence of high balls from set pieces was poor and the home team took full advantage.

It is hard to see past them for the title now.

BISHOP AUCKLAND V RYHOPE CW

Northern League Division 1

Overnight rain put paid to the planned match at Spennymoor, but Twitter confirms no problem with the Heritage Park pitch so A Good Cup Run diverts to Bishop Auckland to see the Two Blues take on Ryhope Colliery Welfare. The rain cleared early in these parts and the day is pleasant enough for early March, lots of clouds but they are white and there is enough blue sky between to allow the odd shaft of sunlight through. It is also a nice change to be here without there being a cold wind blowing.

Bishop Auckland are having a good season - we followed their excellent FA Cup run and in the league they are one of the best of the rest after the big four of North Shields, South Shields, Shildon and Morpeth. Ryhope are comfortably mid-table, which is a good return for this their first season in the top division of the Northern League. It is my first sight of Ryhope and predictably enough for a suburb of Sunderland, they emerge in red and white stripes, at least on the front of the shirt, the back being plain red that at least makes the numbers legible.

On the face of it there is not a lot at stake for either team, but in the first minute a fierce Ryhope foul tackle results in a mini-melee and is followed up by a couple of Bishop Auckland fouls to set an early competitive edge to the game.

The home team settle in to a possession game that exerts a strangle hold without often threatening the goal. Then on fifteen minutes Bishop left back Michael Hoganson swings in a long diagonal free kick from the right touchline that is competed for at the far post. The ball ends up in the net and the PA calls centre forward Ian Ward as the scorer; but he’s not celebrating much and it transpires that Ryhope’s Danny Lay had the decisive touch for an own goal.

Bishop continue to dominate possession and create a couple of good moves. Ward and Andrew Johnson combine well to send Priestley Griffiths through but he shoots straight at the keeper. Then a one-two in the box frees up Hoganson but the angle is tight and his shot fizzes across the goal and wide of the far post.

The Ryhope forwards are living off scraps up front but Josh Home-Jackson makes the most of a ball down the channel to wriggle his way along the by-line but then shoots unconvincingly into the side netting. More convincing is a shot from Bishop’s Johnson, but Ryhope keeper Jonathan Ball saves well low down.

Ryhope produce another attack wide left and when James Ellis crosses high to the far post Lay has a chance to cancel out his own goal but he puts the free header wide. In a see-saw end to the half Bishop go up the other end and James Fairley turns well and shoots; his drive beats the diving Ball but comes back off the inside of the post.

As the second half gets under way there is a distinct change in the dynamic. Bishop are hesitant and fall back in the face of an upbeat Ryhope. Left back David Gordon signals the visitor’s intentions with a long range shot, well hit but straight at the keeper. Then a long diagonal pass finds Kyle Davis wide and his first time cross spells danger as it bounces along the six yard box, but there is no one there to finish off the move.

All this is inside ten minutes of the restart, and when the next Ryhope cross comes in Home-Jackson’s close range header looks a certain goal, but keeper Dawson spreads himself and blocks, only to see the rebound bundled back into the net by the persistent Home-Jackson. The equaliser is deserved for their play since half time.

Bishop make two substitutions, and due to that or the shock of the equaliser, regain the initiative. Johnson, sliding in, just fails to connect with a low cross; then Ward frees up Sam Orritt but as he runs into the box he elects to shoot wide rather than square the ball to better placed colleagues.

The Bishop pressure increases. Good work by Andre Bennett wins a corner, from which Ward wins the header; Ball’s save is not very effective but Bishop can’t convert the loose ball into a goal. As throws, corners and free kicks rain in on the Ryhope goal two chances fall to Johnson but both are blocked, one by a hand that although not ‘unnaturally’ placed was still the only thing that stopped the ball going over the goal line.

The frantic nature of Ryhope’s resistance is taking its toll on the players and management which culminates in an unpleasant exchange between manager and his keeper. When the keeper aims to terminate the conversation with **** off, he instead terminates his involvement in the match; despite there being only minutes left he is substituted and told to go straight to the changing room.

The replacement keeper, not a commanding presence, is put under pressure from a couple of corners but ends with a five minute clean sheet to ensure the entertaining game ends 1-1.