Match report – CLT vs Y&E – 20-04-24

The first of three pivotal away games saw the Y&E make the trip up the A1 to face Chester le Street Town (CLS) at Moor Park. Everyone connected with the club was hoping for a bounce back following the disappointing 3-0 defeat at home to FC Hartlepool last Tuesday. The conditions were perfect for football, with the sun shining and only a gentle breeze. If you squinted your eyes as you looked towards Penshaw Monument you could have been filled for thinking you were in Athens looking over at the Acropolis. The hardy bunch of Y&E fans who had made the trip were in good spirits pre game, enjoying a pint, a chat and a laugh in the impressive CLS clubhouse. This correspondent had his 1st pinto Caffreys in about 20 odd years, not a bad pint. The pie was decent as well. Not top of the league class, like our home pies mind.

There was a couple of changes from the line up against FC Hartlepool. Will had picked up a knock and was replaced by Ethan Landell between the sticks. In defence, Ross and Jacko were back in the middle alongside Cameron. Jack Dalton back at right back and Sam at Left back. Dougs and Leo dropping to the bench. In midfield, Sam L was unavailable and was replaced in the middle by Josh Marshall, Charlie came back in to replace Dan Jones who was also not available. Joe Dalton finished our midfield three, Up front Tom Atkinson and JL10 Josh Larkin. On the bench we had Hillers, Haani, Arthur, Dougs and Leo.

We’d lost 3-1 at home against CLS earlier this season. I thought that they were one of the better teams that we had faced, and combined with a recent strong run of form from our hosts, including a victory over Champions Blyth Town in midweek, we knew that we are in for a tough game. Our hosts were 3 points ahead of us at the start of play on the same number of games played. Both pushing for a spot in the Division 2 play offs. For both teams it was must win game.

The game got underway and within 2 minutes we were a goal down. A cross floated across our box, Ethan shouted for the ball, but Jacko headed it just in front of him and the CLS striker was able to head the ball in to the back of the net. A perfect start for our hosts. On the plus side with 88mins still to go there was plenty of time to get back in to the game and get something out of it.

A couple of minutes later we were almost level, some good passing through the midfield from the Y&E, resulted in an attempted clearance forth CLS back line, which was blocked by JL10, the ball fell kindly to Tom, and his effort form inside the box was tipped wide by the hosts keeper. 9 times out of 10 Tom scores there. From the resultant corner the host keeper was injured and stayed down for a good few minutes receiving treatment, before he was cleared to carry on.

The hosts were shading possession, but we were battling hard in midfield. Within about 15minutes we had won more second balls than we did on the whole of the match against FC Hartlepool. On 16 mins some good pressing from Dalts and Tom saw the ball break to Josh Marshall whose effort from just outside the box was saved, with Tom putting the rebound just wide. Our best chance so far.

Five minutes later CLS were building up some pressure on us, winning a disputed corner. A dangerous corner came in which was met by a CLS player, his effort beat Ethan but not the ever vigilant Jacko who put in sublime goal line clearance. The ball was cleared, for another disputed corner, which was put out for another corner, which was whipped in and headed against our post. Four cracking set pieces and we came away still one goal down due to Jacko and the post. The lads continued to battle in midfield, but also played some decent football, knocking the ball around and trying to get it down the channels towards Tom and JL10. We were working hard and trying restrict CLS time on the ball. On 24 mins some good work down our right had side saw the ball break to CF7 with his effort from distance blocked, CLS were quickly on the counter attack, with Ross Harrison adjudged to have fouled their number 10 on the edge of our box. Free kick rebounded from our wall.

A few minutes later, the Lino over ruled the refs decision on the far side, as the CLS attacker went down on the edge of the box, and there was s subsequent foul by their number 10 on CF7. Originally the ref had deemed no foul on the attacker, but after discussion with their assistant a free lick was awarded on the edge of the box. Looked a harsh decision on us, but in the end the free kick was tame. At the other end we had free kick from half way, with Jacko playing it up to Dalts, but his effort was skied. Almost immediately from the goal kick, Jack Dalton picked up the ball and went to play the ball down the right, he was fouled in the process, with the ball going out for a corner. From the JL10 corner El Capitano nodded home a thunderous header from the penalty spot to level things up at 1-1 on 32 mins. Not bad for a fat lad. We saw out the first half level, with some excellent effort and work rate. Plenty of blocks and tackles, particularly from our midfield trio. We were very much in the game, and had had some good chances, as had the hosts.

We started them second half in the same manner, pressuring and harrying our opponents, but also looking to pass the ball around. On 47mins some good pressure from the Joshes saw a pass drilled across the box from JL10 which was just been the on rushing Tom. On 53 minutes we won another corner, which was placed towards the edge of the box and was met by Tom, his shot was blocked but Josh Marshall was in the six yard box making a nuisance of himself and was the quickest to react, turning smartly and burying the ball the back of the next to make it 2-1. The game continued to simmer away with some string challenges from both sides. Sam Conway was the book on 55 minutes. There was spell around the hour mark where CLS seemed to be getting a lot of the deciosns, with a few free kicks. A deflected free kick on 62 mins nearly caught Ethan out, but he recovered well after slipping in teh bx to make the save. Josh Marshall was booked, for diving and he was fouled by a CLS player in separate instance. It was getting a but tasty out there. On 67 mins Jack Dalton was replaced by Leo at right back. A minute later the home side were down to 10 men, their number 10 sent of for lashing out at Ross Harrison. Ross had fouled him but his kick out at Ross was rightly deemed red card offence. From the resultant feee kick, CLS had an effort that was well saved by Ethan.

On 75minutes Arthur came on to replace Sam Conway, 4 minutes later Hillers came on for Joe Dalton as we looked to bring on some fresh legs. Some good hustling up front on 81minutes between JL10, Tom and Josh M, resulted in a corner, which was put out for another corner. As CLS tried to clear, Hillers goths block in and got a shot away, which was blocked and fell to Josh Marshall who finished calmly to put us 2 goals up. On 84 mins Hanni came on for Tom and wishing a minute he was just a little away form meeting a cross in to the box. On 89mins Dougs came on for Josh Marshall and we saw out the remaining minutes of the game to seal a big away victory.

If you were a neutral you would have loved that game. Plenty of action, some string challenges going in and 4 goals. At times the officials were in danger of losing control of the game, with a few disputed decisions and some fouls from both sides. We kept our heads, and took our chances. Exactly what you have to do at any away game against play off rivals. The difference from Tuesday against FC Hartlepool was night and day.

In goal Ethan had another good game, his distribution, especially his throws was good. He made some good stops. The Yellow Wall of Cam, Ross and Jacko was solid. After the early mishap, Jacko made a superb goal line clearance and played well. Ross is looking back to his best, just at right time of the season and Cam bagged an important goal and wound up some of the home fans. Jack Dalton and Sam Conway continued their impressive runs of form. The midfield three were brilliant. Worked so hard, shutting down the CLS midfield, but also played some good football, getting the ball on the deck. We won countless second balls. Josh Marshall was MoTM with 2 goals and a non stop performance. He made a few new friends in Chester le Street haha. Up front Tom and JL10 worked hard. All 3 goals came (sort of) from a JL10 set piece. The ball didn’t always fall for Tom, but his movement at the corner for our second goal to find some space on the edge of the box was class. The subs all came on and kept up the momentum, Hillers work in their box created the 3rd goal.

All in all a good day at the office for the Y&E which keeps our season alive. Two more huge must win games to come, away at Jarrow on Wednesday and then a trip to Esh Winning on the 30th April. We are reliant on CLS United dropping points against either Blue Star or Bedlington Terriers this week. I don’t know about you but I’m a bag of nerves on this run in. Little old Yarm & Eaglescliffe in the hunt for the playoffs with 2 games to play. Love this club. Howay the Y&E.

Club Announcement – 15-05-23

The club are proud to announce that we have been promoted to the EBAC Northern League.

A proud achievement in our short history!

More to follow

Club Announcement – 14-05-23

The club are proud to partner with Three Rivers as our official media sponsor next season.

Club Announcement – 13-05-23

The club would like to welcome on board Ashley Fox who will be running our Twitter / media profile next season. Ash has worked closely with Minty and Cam over the last few weeks and has already helped take our media and graphics to the next level.

Minty will work with Ashley next season to keep bringing you all the latest Y&E news across all social media platforms and website.

Welcome on board Ash! 👊