SHILDON V MARSKE UNITED

Northern League Division 1

Dean Street is not so familiar today as my usual haunt, the covered terrace opposite the main stand, has disappeared, demolished to make way for a new all-seater stand. Instead A Good Cup Run takes a seat in the main ‘Pagoda’ stand. Here seat choice is crucial if a view of both goals is wanted unimpeded by the substantial supporting pillars.

The teams are familiar enough, the home team pretty settled and the visitors packed with well-known Northern League stalwarts. These two teams have been top five finishers for the last few years and have both started this season well; Shildon are unbeaten and Marske have won eight out of ten.

The opening is cagey and competitive. It is nearly twenty minutes before any goal is threatened. Craig Gott smacks a twenty-five yard drive against the Shildon bar and keeper, Nick Liversedge, has to get back to his feet quickly to save the follow up attempt.

Shildon’s possession has little end product and Marske come close again when Liversedge is drawn out of position and has to rely on young centre half Dominic Curl heading the ball off the line.

Shildon start the second half better and a thrust down the left and along the goal line by Adam Burnicle creates a tap-in chance for Billy Greulich-Smith, which he gratefully converts. The home team can’t build on the lead and increasingly look to hold on to what they’ve got.

Marske create several openings but either fluff them under pressure or are foiled by last ditch tackles from Curl and second half substitute Kyle May. Just when it looks like Marske will never score, they do so from an unlikely angle; James Fairley takes a corner from the left that somehow evades the giant reach of Liversedge and goes straight into the net.

With time just about up it looks like honours even when Marske are awarded a free kick forty yards out. Quick thinking Fairley immediately puts the ball on the deck and lofts it over the unprepared Liversedge, who is left for the second time grasping at air as the ball sails over him and into the net.

There is barely time to kick off again before the referee ends the game. Shildon’s unbeaten start to the season is over and Marske have now won nine out of eleven, including this excellent scalp.

SHILDON V ALTRINCHAM

FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round

Dean Street is a regular haunt, but this is the first visit of the season for A Good Cup Run for game that will test Shildon’s unbeaten start to the season. That run includes three FA Cup wins to get to this second qualifying round and a tie against opponents from a couple of steps up the pyramid. Altrincham are in the Northern Premier League Premier Division in which they hope to halt the slide after two relegations in two years.

It is a cool day at Dean Street, but dry, and the lack of a turnstile queue at 2:55 indicates fewer spectators than expected for the potential giant-killing occasion (maybe the higher Cup prices – a fiver for me – put off a few regulars); as a bonus the final dog-eared programme is available to be snapped up for £2. Then it is straight into the game, Shildon in their red with white diagonal sash, Alty in a fetching away kit of all purple.

Shildon start at a high tempo and press high while Altrincham fail to settle, so for the first quarter hour it is even, if uneventful. But then Shildon’s intensity drops and Alty are able to exert their class, taking up residence in their opponents’ half. Shildon are defending resolutely, if deep, and are able to restrict Alty to some long range shots.

Mind you these are worrying for the home fans as twice keeper Nick Liversedge has to save well and once watch the ball skim across his goal past the far post, all three shots from the impressive John Johnston.

The home side find it difficult to get out of defence; the lone striker Billy Greulich-Smith is generally isolated and unable to do much unaided. The occasional free kick provides what opportunities there are, and from one Greulich-Smith does plant a header into keeper Anthony Thompson’s hands.

Altrincham’s free kicks at the other end are closer in and twice the Shildon wall has to stand firm as the ball is crashed into it at pace. The relentless pressure is only relieved rarely, though Greulich-Smith does get free once to force a save from Thompson. Alty continue to dominate but it remains goalless at half time, which will do Shildon nicely.

In the second half Shildon’s attempt to repeat their good start to the game lasts nowhere near as long. After just four minutes Johnston is back taking aim and another fierce shot rains in, beating Liversedge but rippling only the outside of the net. Minutes later Josh Hancock’s shot does require blocking and the keeper completes a double save by stopping the follow up shot as well.

It seems to be a matter of time before a goal goes in, but Shildon player-manager Bobby Moore brings on Adam Burnicle for Jack Taylor; the substitute goes up front with Greulich-Smith dropping back to wide midfield, allowing the skilful Anthony Peacock a more central role. The change works wonders and Shildon start to have a say in the game.

A corner is won, taken, and the ball ends up in the Altrincham net; however the referee rules dark arts were at work and disallows the goal. But it does serve to buoy up the home team and the last twenty minutes of the game are quite even as the visitors drop off their game, possibly unconsciously settling for a replay.

And that looks likely until with five minutes left Burnicle, not for the first time, bustles his way through a couple of defenders and into the box. He seems to beat the last defender and then shoot powerfully but wide – but instead of a goalkick the referee points to the penalty spot - it transpires handball was involved. For good measure he dismisses an Altrincham defender, whether for the offence itself or the protests that followed is unclear.

Greulich-Smith steps up to take the penalty; he hits it low but too close to Thompson who parries. There is a slow motion moment as the ball rises and all wait to see who will get to it first. It is Shildon’s late substitute Cameron Fenton, and he nods the ball over the prostrate and unfortunate Thompson into the vacant net.

Altrincham roar into action from the restart, but Shildon’s defence continues to prove impenetrable and when a late free kick is saved by Liversedge and headed clear by a defender it is all over.

Shildon have not only preserved their unbeaten start but have saved themselves a midweek trip to Cheshire and secured a place in the draw for the next round. If Altrincham play as well as this most weeks they will win, provided they are not up against teams that defend to the last man as well as Shildon.

SEAHAM RED STAR v ALBION SPORTS

FA Vase 1^st Qualifying Round 

This week’s trip to the seaside is to Seaham on the Durham coast to see Red Star take on Albion Sports in the FA Vase first qualifying round. One of the attractions of the Vase (and Cup) is the inter-league ties thrown up; here the Northern Division 1 against the Northern Counties East Premier Division (both step five of the pyramid).

It has been a couple of years since A Good Cup Run was last at Seaham Town Park but the ground remains neat and tidy with a pleasant open aspect and its quirky blue-roofed pavilion-like clubhouse and changing rooms. The flat green pitch has small covered stands on each touchline where spectators can both sit or stand; behind the couple of steps of concrete perimeter terracing there are grassy verges and in places a fine laurel hedge.

Today started showery but the weather looks set fair for the game as the teams line up, Seaham appropriately in mainly red and the visitors from Bradford in yellow and blue. Both are mid-table in their leagues, Seaham top half against Albion’s bottom half, but the visitors are still in the FA Cup unlike their hosts who went out at the first hurdle.

Red Star get on top in the first half and put the Albion goal under threat with a header from Liam McBryde straight into Jake Lofthouse’s waiting arms, and a long range shot from Aaron Croft that the keeper chooses to punch clear despite the ball being at ankle level. McBryde’s next header is better placed and beats Lofthouse, but not the foot of the post, which it hits and stays out.

Albion’s efforts to get the ball forward are ineffective as the front three seem lightweight and can’t hold on to the ball. No goals at half time but advantage Red Star.

That advantage seems to dissipate over the interval. Red Star lose their rhythm and Albion are showing better form. Right winger Lamin Janneh who was in the full back’s pocket in the first half is suddenly producing danger. He works in off the wing to produce a shot that’s on target but deflected wide for a corner; the corner kick itself lands on the bar. Janneh then produces a great cross from the right that Alex Cusack volleys over from six yards out.

Red Star still have a share of the game and a killing right wing cross needs only the chest of McBryde to force it into the goal off the underside of the bar. The loss of a goal stuns Albion and they nearly lose another when Andy Johnston fires in a long range shot that Lofthouse does well to save. He saves a similar effort from Robbie Bird then tips an angled drive from the same player onto the angle of post and bar.

But it stays 1 – 0 into the last five minutes and Albion press hard, coming close when a shot from Cusack is deflected narrowly wide. They are leaving themselves exposed at the back though, and a long Seaham clearance gives substitute Ash Davis the chance to outmuscle his lone marker, race through on goal and beat the keeper with a cool finish.

That’s in the final scheduled minute making the added time less tense than it would have been and the game ends at two nil.

                       

The final score would have been a fair reflection of the first half, and though Albion played better in the second half they still had to rely overmuch on their goalkeeper. They can get back to the FA Cup next week but as far as the Vase is concerned, it is Seaham Red Star who progress.

SCARBOROUGH ATHLETIC V WORKINGTON

FA Cup 1^st Qualifying Round

Another previously unvisited ground hosts A Good Cup Run this week, the Flamingo Land Stadium, Scarborough where the ‘Sea Dogs’ will take on Workington. It’s all-NPL, Division 1 North v Premier Division, and hopefully home advantage will offset league status to give a good even game. This is the first season back in town for Boro after a decade in exile at Bridlington, so fan interest is high and there’s a crowd of about 800.

The new home has a 3G pitch, glowing green in the sunshine and new enough for puffs of black rubber granules to explode from every bounce of the ball. As for the ground, there is an elevated grandstand along one touchline, a covered terrace behind one goal, and low level standing elsewhere, at least for paying customers – others could join the donkeys on the field rising up the hillside opposite the main stand.

Both teams make a lively start. Workington have the ball in the net following a long throw, but it’s ruled offside and then Scarborough begin to pepper their opponent’s goal with shots from Billy Logan (just wide) and Luke Dean (well saved at the top corner) and a threatening run by Max Wright that ends with a hefty challenge in the box ruled just legal by the referee.

The attempts at the other end, a shot from Scott Allison and a header from Connor Tinnion, produce no more than regulation saves from Tom Taylor in goal. His opposite number Aaran Taylor remains the busiest keeper up to half time, pulling off another good save or two and ensuring it remains goalless at the break.

But not long beyond. Two minutes after the restart Scarborough’s Nathan Valentine gets himself behind the Workington back line and has the coolness to sidefoot past the keeper; Aaron Taylor still gets a hand on the ball but can’t prevent its progress into goal.

Scarborough don’t sit back, their natural game seems to be to win the ball and go forward quickly. A header by centre half Matty Turnbull, up for free kick, and a shot from Valentine are on target but easily saved; a cross shot from left back Dave Merris is more problematic but results in no more than a corner kick.

That is Scarborough’s high point as Workington increasingly come into the game late on. It is a close call when, from one of their corner kicks, a header hits the underside of the bar and bounces on, or near, or over the goal line. The assistant referee is confident that it’s no goal so play just goes on despite Workington appeals.

A rare break for Scarborough sees substitute Emile Sinclair get to a through ball ahead of the advancing keeper, but his lob finds only the base of the post and rebounds to safety. Otherwise it is relentless Workington pressure with keeper Taylor joining the attack for late corners and free kicks.

When a final free kick is headed wide the referee blows up to finish a good cup tie that was more entertaining than the scoreline may suggest. The one Scarborough goal settled it, seeing the Step four club through to the next round at the expense of their step 3 visitors. 

THORNABY V ALNWICK TOWN

It is a warm and sunny day for my first ever trip to Thornaby FC’s ground and following a helpful sign on Acklam Road brings me down an unpromising pot-holed track for about half a mile to the car park. Five pounds gets me a concessionary entry, a programme and a ticket for the half time raffle (always worth a punt when the attendance is expected to be small) provided by a couple of polite and very welcoming officials.

Inside, the initial impressions of Teesdale Park are favourable. Importantly the pitch looks well grassed and flat. Trees surround the ground belying its urban location; tucked between the golf course and the cemetery it seems positively rural. There is a seated stand in front of the changing rooms and an open air bank of seats behind one goal; cover for standing is a tin shed behind the other goal and, on the half way line, a recycled bus shelter that could hold about ten spectators or about fifteen close friends. Behind that is a grassy bank that runs the length of the touchline.

The game commences a touch early by my watch. Thornaby play in blue with white shoulders while Alnwick are in what looks like a change strip of orange. Most of the early action is in the Alnwick half with Thornaby trying to play a neat passing game. Even when they lose the ball their opponents quickly give it back so the pressure grows.

With sixteen minutes gone Thornaby’s Joe Hillerby shoots from twenty five yards, beating the diving keeper but not the foot of the post, however Lewis Murphy has followed up and with the keeper still on the deck is able to knock the rebound into the net. It is a deserved lead and more chances come, either wasted or foiled by the keeper, Ian Todd, who looks a capable shot stopper and confident puncher of crosses.

As half time approaches Alnwick will happily settle to go in just the one down, but right at the death they get a corner and the big centre half Tom McPherson thumps a header against the bar to give Thornaby a fright and emphasising their need for a second goal to cement their dominance.

Half time gives a chance for a further stroll round the ground, calling at the refreshment hut for a decent cup of tea.

In the second half Alnwick are making a better fist if it. Within five minutes they win a free kick way out on the left and when it is swung high beyond the far post Joshua Hay is unmarked and free to loops a header back over the keeper and into the far corner of the net.

All square on the scoresheet and the game more even on the field. If anything it is against the run of play when, midway through the half, Thornaby score next. Having won possession down the left wing the ball is worked inside to give Daniel Chapman the chance, which he takes calmly, to sidefoot home.

It’s a blow to Alnwick and their frustration is starting to show in relations with both the officials and each other; Thornaby respond to the raised temperature and the game gets quite competitive.

With ten minutes to go Alnwick, who have had the better of the second half, swing in a corner kick. It leads to a scramble in the six yard box, with the keeper at one point sat on the ball but unable to get his hands on it. The centre half’s attempts to help out with some intricate ball control while facing his own goal is rudely interrupted by Hay who has the simpler job of just forcing the ball the two yards over the line for the equaliser.

In the last five minutes it is anyone’s game. Two Alnwick penalty shouts (both weak) and several Thornaby corners fail to produce a winner, so it ends in what was an increasingly entertaining 2–2 draw.

GUISBOROUGH TOWN V SHILDON

FA Cup Preliminary Round

We start the FA Cup run a round late, and today's opponents have already registered wins in the extra preliminary round, Guisborough disposing of Stockton Town and Shildon getting through a tricky tie against Morpeth. Last season’s form places the visitors as favourites as they finished fourth in the Northern League Division 1 whereas the home team escaped relegation on a technicality.

The King George V ground is looking its usual splendid self in the sunshine, tree-lined and nestling under the Cleveland Hills. There has been a bit of churn in the Guisborough playing staff since my last visit but the Shildon side is full of familiar faces, with even the newly signed Anthony Peacock no stranger. What is unfamiliar is Shildon’s away kit of deep purple with lime green trim.

Guisborough’s kick off is novel as they simply boot the ball over the Shildon dead ball line, opting for territory rather than possession. Shildon accept the gift and work their way upfield patiently, but then the ball is cleared long and Guisborough centre forward Mason McNeil out-muscles defender Kyle May to get a run on goal that he completes by blazing a shot high and wide. The warning is unheeded by Shildon and minutes later another long ball, this one well directed inside full back Marc Ellison, opens up a similar path to goal for winger Steven Roberts. He takes a better route and smacks the ball high into the net giving keeper Nick Liversedge no chance.

The home team's early lead (three minutes only gone) doesn’t have time to affect the game as Shildon’s first corner kick, three minutes later is headed unchallenged into goal by Kyle May. What does affect the game midway through the half is a reckless challenge by Guisborough’s Dylan McAvoy that is given a straight red card.

Shildon’s passing game now becomes even easier to execute. Guisborough’s out ball is now one-dimensional to McNeil, as Roberts, much to Ellison’s relief, has to tuck back into midfield. Nevertheless Guisborough hold out to half time with no further damage.

The second half starts with even more fireworks than the first. After a couple of minutes Ellison pushes forward down Shildon’s left and crosses deep. Centre forward Micky Rae decides against a first time volley and instead brings the ball under control before shooting from close range. In truth he scuffs it a bit but hard enough for it to bobble in for a goal. The bad start to the half gets worse when minutes later a ball over the Guisborough defence is brought down by Rae. Instead of making for the goal he pauses to look up as the defenders regroup then, taking the time he is given he unleashes a fierce 25 yard drive that keeper Jordan Nixon gets a hand on but to no effect, the ball continuing its arc into the net.

The defence are shell shocked and a minute later have not recovered when Billy Greulich-Smith (on as a second half Shildon substitute) is given too much time on the right to cross precisely to Adam Burnicle on the penalty spot, from where the latter curls a shot high into the goal.

Three goals in five second half minutes have killed the game, remembering that Guisborough are also a man light. It is another ten minutes before Shildon score again; a through ball enables Peacock to run from deep through a vacant central corridor to skilfully chip the ball over the advancing Nixon and score the fifth goal.

From then on it is a training match. Shildon bring on a couple of youngsters off the bench and Guisborough, to their credit, make the odd excursion into the Shildon penalty area without really threatening. No further goals accrue and it is Shildon who progress to the first qualifying round.

BISHOP AUCKLAND V ASHINGTON

Northern League Division 1

An ill judged holiday booking led to this late start for the new season. And at Bishop Auckland I have already missed one manager’s term of office. Having shipped fifteen goals in the first three games (scoring eight) an interim management team is in place pending recruitment, and they will hope to at least stabilise the ship.

Heritage Park is looking good, the Darlington seating behind one goal remains in place despite their tenants moving out, but there is one change – the dug outs have switched touchlines to a more natural place in front of the grandstand, either side of the layers tunnel. And tonight’s dug out is graced by an England international, albeit at cricket, with big Steve Harmison still in charge at Ashington, and the team sheet includes his two brothers, equally big, Ben up front and James at the back.

The first half is competitive with both teams playing a controlled game without penetrating over much. Bishop’s only threat comes from full back Michael Hoganson’s wind assisted free kicks, three of them hit the target but keeper Connor Grant beats each of them out. For Ashington, Ben Harmison ploughs a lone and mainly fruitless farrow but an error by Luke Gilhespy gives him one chance which he fluffs embarrassingly.

The pattern of the first half continues after the break. Now Ashington has the breeze behind and it is Kyle Downey’s free kick from well out that needs saving. As time presses the game loosens up, and a Bishop Auckland free kick into the box ping-pongs around before being cleared off the line.

Then, in the ninetieth minute, the home side over-commit and are caught out by a break down the Ashington left. The three to one advantage is well worked and delivers the ball to Ben Harmison in front of an open goal, and this time there is no mistake and the tap in is enough to win the game.