SPENNYMOOR TOWN V STOURBRIDGE

Northern Premier League Premier Division Play-off Final

The snow has cleared to give a cool, still day for the play-off decider for promotion to the National League North and appropriately enough it is the second and third teams who will contest it. At twenty to three there is a good crowd in already including a sizeable contingent up from the West Midlands. There are no programmes left and the pies could be in scarce supply by half time.

Both teams are in stripes today with Spennymoor in black and white, and Stourbridge in red and white; and black and white will play down the slope in the first half.

They look to take immediate advantage, pinning the visitors back and forcing a couple of early free kicks. Then a good Mason cross is hooked over the bar by centre forward Taylor. Taylor is soon back in action as he gathers the ball outside the box; the defence stand off him so he shoots low but narrowly wide. Two minutes later the same player is put through and this time his shot is on target, but Stourbridge keeper Gould dives low to tip it round the post.

The half threatens to become a duel between Taylor and Gould as next a header is tipped over the bar conceding the first of three successive corners. From one a Taylor header is planted firmly into Gould’s chest.

It is all Spennymoor at this stage and midfielder Henry wins a free kick twenty five yards out. Griffiths tries to reprise his semi-final goal but this time the wall does a good job. Relief is short lived as not long after, centre half Curtis threads a fine ball forward to feed Ramshaw’s diagonal run. Ramshaw controls it well, with a hint of an unintentional handball, and volleys superbly past the, this time, helpless Gould. Stourbridge fans and players protest loud and long but the referee is happy with the goal (Spennymoor fans and players are ecstatic) and it stands. There was some fortune in the control but a lot of skill in the finish, and the lead is well deserved on pressure alone.

Stourbridge try to respond but the only danger presented is from long throws by Tonks, and these are generally well defended by the likes of Curtis and Tait.

There is still time before the break for Taylor and Gould to resume hostilities. A shot (when team mates were better placed) is saved then the two clash in an aerial battle that leaves both on the ground but the keeper the worse for wear. He is awarded a free kick in sympathy.

The one nil score at half time undervalues Spennymoor’s dominance – downhill at least; will they be able to produce the same high energy game going up the slope?

Stourbridge’s second half tactics soon become apparent as they pepper the Spennymoor back four with long balls. From one, goalkeeper Lawson has to rush to block centre forward Benbow’s effort with his chest; from the rebound Benbow turns and with back to goal sends an overhead kick just wide. Minutes later Tonks fires a shot over, and Spennymoor’s lead suddenly looks fragile.

Spennymoor try to counter attack; Ramshaw gets behind the defence but his cross is blocked and Henry shoots wide from good position.

But the wind is in Stourbridge’s sails. The long balls are troublesome and often lead to corners or those problematic long throws – not always high, sometimes hurled low to the feet of the busy Benbow. A shot from Broadhurst goes wide and substitute Jones makes inroads on the left only for Lowson to grab the loose ball.

Slowly Spennymoor weather the Stourbridge storm and regain a measure of control. Once more a Taylor header is saved by keeper, and the keeper does even better minutes later saving another from point blank range when it looked impossible to prevent Taylor scoring.

Into the last five minutes and the home team (and crowd) get nervy as Stourbridge bring on a final substitute, who isn’t the kitchen sink but may well have been as they throw everything else at Spennymoor; particularly Tonks whose arms must be aching by now.

Free kicks are conceded and from one thirty yards out Benbow fires low round the wall; Lowson, belying his chunky stature, flies to his left to palm the ball round the post. Minutes later another shot seems goal bound but this time the keeper goes full length to his right to push it out for a corner. He then continues his Superman impression by getting a good fist to the ensuing corner.

At the end of five minutes added time it is he around whom the relieved team gather to celebrate the win that was hard fought and just about deserved. Also celebrating by invading the pitch are scores of, mainly young, fans and there is a few moments of ugly posturing before good nature is restored and the PA’s call to show appreciation to the visiting fans is heeded with applause and an exchange of handshakes.

So Spennymoor go up and the Brewery Field will host some big names next season; however today’s bumper crowd of 1,699 was accommodated easily enough and I for one will be happy to return to see some of them.

SPENNYMOOR TOWN V NANTWICH TOWN

Northern Premier League Premier Division Play-off Semi-final 

The April showers are being delivered from the Arctic tonight, so although the walk from the car to the ground was in sunshine, as kick-off approaches at Brewery Field the clouds are grey overhead and a mixture of rain, hail and snow is falling. The spectators are gathered either in the seated grandstand or (with me) in the commodious covered terrace that runs the whole width of the pitch behind one goal.

Not a night for a drive over the Pennines, but Nantwich Town, finishing fifth, get no option as Spennymoor reap the benefit of their runners up spot in this play-off semi-final. However the league encounters between the two clubs produced a 1-1 draw here and a 2-1 home win in Cheshire so it will be tight and extra time and penalties may be needed.

Nantwich, in emerald green, seem to win the toss as they start uphill, conceding kick-off to the magpie striped Spennymoor. Downhill is toward the covered terrace so we get a good view of the early action as Johnson and Taylor combine well in attack, both getting shots away. Keeper Gyollai fields one straight at him and also deals well with a cross. When Tait, marauding from the back, is up-ended thirty-five yards out, Gyollai can get nowhere near Griffiths’ free kick, but the ball ripples the outside rather than the inside of the net.

By now the sun is back out, low in the sky and potentially problematic for Spennymoor keeper Lowson; but Nantwich struggle to get within range. A free kick does cause a bit of a scramble in the home box before a clearance is effected; however the respite is temporary as a Nantwich corner comes out to captain Hall who leathers a rising pile driver just over the bar.

Moors respond with another good turn and shot from Taylor. The clouds are back and a heavy squall provides the answer to the perennial question of how many visiting fans can stand under the tree at the away end – answer: all of them. The rain continues into half time and even the substitutes’ head for the dressing room, sparing us their usual desultory kick-about.

Spennymoor had the balance of play in the goal-less half, but defences generally were on top with neither keeper unduly exerted. Nantwich will have the slope in the second period, but the wind (and rain) is blowing the opposite way.

Again Spennymoor start positively with Ramshaw and Armstrong getting beyond the back line, but Gyollai is a commanding presence in the goal area. He is called into action again tipping a fierce shot from Chandler over the bar.

Nantwich get an occasional break and in one Hancock shows good skill to evade his marker for once, but his cross is headed wide by Harrison.

Twenty minutes into the half Ramshaw sets off on another mazy run from deep and is fouled just as he releases a pass on the edge of the box. There is no advantage, so a free kick is awarded and Griffiths lines it up again. His shot is low and under the jumping defensive wall; Gyollai flings himself full length but the shot is beyond his reach and just inside the post for the breakthrough goal.

Nantwich respond by taking off centre forward Mukendi whose extreme height has proved no advantage over the equally tall, and considerably wider, Curtis who has not given him a sniff of a chance all night. The substitute Mwasile is of a different build, small and nippy. The visitors are forced to be a bit more forward thinking that in turn gives Spennymoor opportunities to counter.

With ten minutes to go the speedy Johnson takes such an opportunity to slice through the Nantwich back line into the heart of the penalty area from where he coolly slots past the exposed Gyollai. The second goal should be a killer and his celebratory run proves his reputation as the quickest in the club – his team mates struggling to corral him for a congratulatory group hug.

Tails up, Spennymoor continue to press and Taylor has the ball in the net but from an offside position. The last knockings take place amid a positive snowstorm giving a festive air that the home fans don’t really need as they celebrate a hard earned win that gives them the chance, back here on Saturday, to clinch promotion.

WEST AUKLAND TOWN V SHILDON

Northern League Division I 

With Darlo debarred from the National League North play-offs and Spennymoor assured of extending their season into those for the Northern Premier League, I decided to see out the Northern League season at the ground where I saw it in – Darlington Road, West Auckland. Back then West would not have anticipated a relegation battle, but they go into today’s match needing a result to ensure retaining their Division 1 status (though other results may also do the job).

The opponents are Shildon; their fourth place is solid, miles ahead of fifth but the top three also some distance off, so all at stake for them is local bragging rights. Their season, good by most standards, will be considered disappointing by last year’s champions, who also exited the Vase earlier than they should.

The players in the tunnel have a demob demeanour to them as the teams come out into the spring sunshine that up here gives more light than heat. Traditional colours are on show, West in yellow and black, Shildon in red, though at this stage they look a bit washed out with several Shildon numbers in disarray.

Shildon have the balance of the early play with a shot by Rae blocked by centre half Hassan and another by raiding left back Robson saved by keeper Elgie. Two corners result, and more follow, but are generally poorly delivered and pose no threat. It is fifteen minutes before West threaten; a shot from Ruddy is saved by Liversedge at the expense of a corner. When that comes in it is met by Hassan, whom no one picks up, and his bullet header is in the net before Liversedge can blink.

It may be against the run of play but it gives West something to defend, which they do ruggedly. Too ruggedly from time to time and Shildon get a couple of free kicks within range for the talented Wing to have a pot. His first is on target but is fumbled round the post by Elgie; the second hits the defensive wall and is deflected wide. To more corners but to no effect.

Half time comes with West still a goal up and for Shildon it’s the season’s same old story – possession but no penetration. It must be particularly frustrating for manager Daniel ‘Bobby’ Moore as my half time study of the programme informs that West keeper Dale Elgie is actually a midfield player; this explains his uncertain handling and ungainly clearance kicks.

Moore decides to take more direct control and brings himself on as a second half substitute. If nothing else it will enable him to harangue the referee from closer range. To be fair he makes a difference, taking every opportunity to push forward and it is he who starts to pepper the West Auckland goal with two shots rising over the bar. He then sets up Robson in the box but his shot goes narrowly wide.

West are now defending deeper and deeper. From a cleared Shildon corner Dodds fires a volley over the bar, then a cross from Robson (now effectively a left winger) is sliced perilously over the same crossbar by centre half Hassan. He deserves all the luck going as he is far and away the best West player on view.

There is less than ten minutes remaining when one of Elgie’s kicks is punted back up field by Shildon; Moore flicks it on with his head and Burnicle races through to poke the ball past the stranded Elgie for the equaliser. Such a simple goal after so much of their tippy-tappy play.

Tails up, Shildon continue the assault and soon Robson is again operating on the left; he cuts into the penalty area, evades one challenge, and is felled by a second. His reward is to take the penalty which he blasts low but fairly central. Stand-in keeper Elgie gets a paw to it but the pace is sufficient to take it spinning over the line.

Though now ahead Shildon carry on pressing. Wing tries another free kick, but again Elgie gets to it and shuffles it round the post. He then flaps, surprisingly effectively, at the corner to avert danger. He has been a bit of a stand-in hero and is unlucky to end on the losing side.

But the spoils go to Shildon, thanks mainly to the second half impetus provided by the manager on the pitch. However on the final whistle news comes in from around the grounds and results elsewhere mean West Auckland’s position is secured, ensuring Division 1 football at Darlington Road next season.

DARLINGTON 1883 V FC UNITED of MANCHESTER

National League North - 17 April 2017

The bank holiday mood may be subdued at Blackwell Meadows as Darlington’s position in a tight play-off grouping is likely to be irrelevant – an unnoticed change in the ground requirements for promotion to the National League has ruled them out of contention (subject to appeal). Opponents today, FC United of Manchester are also out of contention, not due to their new ground which is reputed to be top notch but their mid-table obscurity or safety (depending on your viewpoint). So this could be a meaningless end of season encounter or a relaxed and entertaining game between two sides free to express themselves with only the match at stake.

The visitors are a well-supported side and the away following combined with decent weather has boosted the attendance, nay crowd, to over two thousand. A welcome boost also to the coffers, but it also demonstrates the shortcomings of the ground with the lack of terracing on three sides making viewing difficult for those not hugging the perimeter rail.

Darlington’s start does not indicate a relaxation in their attitude. Thompson has a shot saved early and on his next possession he cuts inside and squares to left back Ferguson who hits a thirty-five yard screamer into the top corner. Ten minutes later Ferguson, relentlessly probing down the left, crosses deep. Syers rises to head the ball back across the six yard box, where the towering Beck is on hand to nod the ball home.

Two down after fifteen minutes FC have yet to show they can compete, until a clever chip through gives Glynn a chance that is rapidly snuffed out by keeper Bartlett. Such cause for encouragement is short lived as up the other end a ball runs loose in the penalty area and centre forward Beck snakes out a long leg to push it past defender Williams; he reacts late and his trip results in a penalty award. Galbraith takes responsibility and his firm shot low into the corner renders irrelevant Schofield’s correct guess as to its direction of travel.

Game over after half an hour? It looks likely as another Darlington move slices through, but FC defenders block just in time. However Ferguson bombs forward once too often and FC exploit the space behind him to draw a defender out of the centre and create an overlap in front of goal. Brown can’t miss and he doesn’t.

The goal has checked rampant Darlington and play evens out up to the half time break. And into the second half it is the same story, only a glaring miss from Brown keeps Darlo two ahead. Soon after, Brown is replaced by Adeloye who makes an immediate impact with a shot that requires an alert Bartlett to tip it over the bar.

An FC goal now would make the final quarter hour interesting. Darlington are threatening less and less, however they do win a free kick for which the big defenders go forward. The ball in falls loose in the box and Darlington full back Brown plays a neat one two with a colleague before slotting home from close in.

Four one restores the home team’s comfort zone, but FC are still pressing. Ashworth, up for a corner, heads over; substitute Thomson has a shot well saved; and more or less on full time Adeloye finds space to execute a well-placed header beyond Bartlett and into the goal. Three minutes of added time are not enough for the late goal to make much difference and the match ends in a four two home win.

The open entertaining game option did thankfully emerge. Darlington seem to be increasingly comfortable with their new home, which bodes well for next season when they should remain a top club pushing for promotion, with hopefully an improved ground to match.

STOCKTON TOWN V ALNWICK TOWN

Northern League Division II

The planned visit to see Darlington is abandoned with no parking available for miles (the sunny day having drawn crowds to nearby South Park) so instead it is off down the A66 (and down the non-league pyramid) to see if Stockton Town can clinch promotion from Northern League Division Two. It means arriving a few minutes after kick off, but there is plenty of parking on site at the Sixth Form College and only £3 concession entry (plus £1 for a programme); as a bonus there has been no early score.

Arriving pitch-side I am just in time to see Stockton’s Max Craggs knock in the first goal. The home team seem in control and ten minutes later a good run down the left by full back James Ward ends with a precise pass inside to Kallum Hannah who comfortably slots the ball home.

Two nil after twenty minutes looks ominous for Alnwick but they respond well. Samuel Perez-Guffenrez shows trickery up front and also competitiveness as he robs a defender, races clear and squares to centre forward Joshua Hay. Stockton keeper Liam Jordan is quick off his line and manages to block the shot. Alnwick continue to pose threats from set pieces and five minutes from half time Tony Brown lines up a free kick outside the box. He hits the ball up and over the wall, and though keeper Jordan seems to get in line he can’t prevent the shot dipping into the net.

After an enjoyable half there is time to review the ground and facilities on this my first visit. The centre piece is the new 3G pitch (which has played pretty well) surrounded by the tall green fence, ubiquitous around such modern community venues. There are two small steel stands, one seated and one terraced for standing. In today’s sunshine most of the decent crowd are standing pitch-side, as was I for the first half, though this did mean putting up with the faint rubbery smell emitted by the pitch, either due to its newness or the heat of the sun.

For the start of the second half I try the seats in the stand, the better to manage my rather tasty chicken and mushroom pie. I am barely through the crust before Craggs places a free kick perfectly into the corner of the net to make it 3-1. Pie finished, I move out of the stand and away from a small group of very young fans with extremely penetrating voices and a small range of chants to join the more mature fans congregating at the end now under siege by Stockton.

Eventually the damn is broken as Kevin Hayes, nippy on the left wing, creates space for himself running right to left before firing back across the keeper for a good goal. Four minutes later a Stockton corner finds substitute Alan Cossavella unmarked in the box and he clips a first time shot into the net. Alnwick are now on the ropes and immediately almost concede again when Sonni Coleman gets a chance to join the goalscorers, but keeper Luc Clasper blocks well.

The coup de grace comes in the last minute when Joe Wheatley sets up Hayes who scores his second and Stockton’s sixth of the afternoon. Stockton are promoted and should do alright in the higher division, clearly a club on the up.

SPENNYMOOR TOWN V ILKESTON

Northern Premier League Premier Division 

An unconventional Thursday night game at the Brewery Field; but the sunny day has turned into a chilly evening on which to check Spennymoor’s progress to the play-offs. Since our last visit that progress has been good with two away wins and a home draw that have put them second in the table. Their six remaining games are against teams in the bottom half of the table, including each of the bottom four; that group includes Ilkeston whose chances of avoiding relegation are purely mathematical. So a home win should be a formality – but there is no such thing in football.

A pattern of attack and defence soon emerges as Spennymoor keep possession and probe, albeit rather gently. However Ilkeston’s front two look pacey and when a headed back pass towards Lowson in the home goal is a bit short, Dwyer latches on to it and tries a lob; it turns out to be a better back pass than the defender’s effort.

More of the same sees Spennymoor huff and puff with little penetration; Griffiths as usual swings balls in from the right, but nothing the Ilkeston defence can’t handle. It is twenty-five minutes before a shot in anger is struck and then Taylor’s drive is well wide. It is nearly half time before Ilkeston keeper Hannis has to intervene meaningfully, fielding a shot from Johnson hit straight at him. It has not been all one way though, with sporadic Ilkeston breaks keeping the home defence honest.

Though the first half hasn’t looked like second top versus second bottom, the second half will have Spennymoor playing downhill, which normally piles the pressure on the visitors. And so it goes; from one of many crosses Taylor rises high to power a downward header. Hannis parries well at the foot of his post but Dowson is on hand to pounce and force the loose ball over the line.

Some relief for the home crowd, but the goal also releases Ilkeston, who now look to attack more constructively, and the game develops a bit more ebb and flow. That in turn gives Spennymoor some more space and with ten minutes to go Dowson exchanges a slick one-two on the edge of the box with Armstrong (on for Taylor) and slots the ball under the keeper and into the net.

That looks like game over, and Ilkeston visibly slump. Twice Spennymoor players break clear but fluff chances to increase the lead. However in the last of the added minutes it is Dowson’s turn to race through and, with his hat-trick at stake, makes no mistake in making it three nil.

The score line is a little unfair on Ilkeston who made a game of it until the final few minutes. So no formality, but a solid win that keeps not only the play-offs on target but also increase the chances of a home game within them.