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.