Under 10 North Riding Division 2
Summer football anyone? We have all watched games in bad weather over the last couple of years but today took the biscuit. A freezing gale force wind greeted both teams who both deserve credit for getting on with it and not complaining. It was no surprise that Guisborough had the territorial advantage in the first half. Stokesley coped really well playing into the horrendous conditions. It was good to see Jack W and Jack A thinking about the wind, and letting the ball run out several times for goal-kicks which gave us some breathing space. Ably supported by James who had one of his best games of the season, Stokesley kept the visitors at a distance. Though, if we are to wear gloves we must make sure that we can grip the ball for throw-ins. Indeed it was Stokesley who came closest to scoring when a surging run by Freddie led to his shot being saved. The ball was still heading goalwards when the strong wind blew it the other way! Fiddlesticks!! Patrick hardly had a shot to save but was beaten after a mad scramble which saw our bar and post being rattled. One nil down at the break was a great scoreline as Stokesley now had the wind at their backs. Freddie almost equalised straight after the break but another good save denied him again. Shortly after, Leeton’s quick shot was brilliantly saved by the keeper’s outstretched leg. Do all keepers save their best games for matches against Stokesley? Patrick came quickly off his line to deny Guisborough but everyone was thinking that this was going to be another game where we were undeservedly beaten. Freddie burst clear but just as he was about to shoot his heels were clipped to put him off balance. Poor old Fred – just too honest and the chance was lost. As the wind got colder, we won a free-kick on the edge of the box after a great dribble from Charlie. The ball was belted across goal to Charlie again whose left footer finally beat the keeper. This was the least we deserved. Someone is going to get thumped soon!
Posted 30 March 2013 by alistair Cowey
Under 10 North Riding Division 2
Yet again a Sunday brought nithering weather that made the spectators hop about to keep warm. Surely we will get one fine day to enjoy before the end of the season?
This was a game we probably should have won. I gave up counting the shots we had in the second half as every single one seemed to go straight at the home keeper. If we were able to direct a few towards the corners then victory might have been ours. There are lots of really good keepers in this league and just aiming in the general direction of the goal might not be good enough to get it past them. We must try to be more accurate. Hitting the keeper is nearly as bad as hitting it narrowly past the post. Credit to the Guisborough goalkeeper, though, who got in the way of everything in the second half, though we must make sure that we follow the ball in when he doesn’t gather it cleanly. The wind seemed to really affect us and we could not cope with the big clearances in that first half. On windy days we need to quickly decide how far the ball is going to travel rather than letting it go over our heads. Volley it, head it or trap it but stop it somehow! However, we were close to scoring early on through Mathew and Leeton. To be truthful, I can’t remember much about Guisborough’s first goal and their second soon after came from a deflected free-kick. A short free-kick of our own saw Leeton put one just over, though Guisborough themselves went narrowly wide right on the break. At least heads didn’t drop and Freddie’s long-range shot got us back in the game. It was a real disappointment, though, when we immediately let them in to restore their two goal lead. However a neat glancing header from Jack Whorlton gave us renewed hope. The killer pass wasn’t really provided today, with some players also finding it hard to run with the ball on the pitch. Shots were often attempted from well outside the box. A big effort from James today but everyone has the chance to put things right this week on home turf.
Posted 19 March 2013 by alistair Cowey
Under 10 North Riding Division 2
The last two games have been really encouraging and the boys were rewarded with a well-earned victory against one of the stronger teams in the division. Strangely, we managed this without one of our most influential players, which just goes to show how hard everyone worked to make up for Leeton’s absence. What was great to hear that although missing, Leeton had taken the trouble to phone at half and full-time to find out the score. That’s the sort of pulling together we need.
What gave the most pleasure today was the way that fine performances came from many in the team. There were more tackles made in this game than any other this season. A big well done to Jack Whorlton who played out of his usual position but tackled fiercely, headed strongly and cleared several dangerous attacks. Mathew Chapman worked up and down that right touchline and his energy cut short many attacks. His favourite move of slipping the ball one side and running round the other helped set up several promising moves. Charlie Watts held the ball up really well and sensibly brought other people into the game. He had the unenviable job of tracking across the front line to prevent Thirsk’s attacks at source.
Thirsk possibly had the best of things early on and a couple of efforts sailed over. Stokesley, though, eventually got a foothold in the game. After good chest control, Freddie danced his way past two or three defenders and his long-range effort found the corner of the net. With James tackling well on the left and Double Jacks clearing the ball we looked really solid.
Thirsk grabbed an equaliser early in the second half but this time our heads didn’t go down. We restarted quickly and pressed for a winner. After more great work from Mathew the ball went all the way across goal to the far post. Instead of shooting from a tight angle, Freddie set up Charlie who smashed in a right-footed winner after his first effort was blocked.
Maybe that thumping at W.Banks was a blessing in disguise.
Posted 05 March 2013 by alistair Cowey
Under 10 North Riding Division 2
Arctic conditions greeted both teams but all the players contributed to an entertaining game despite the grim weather. Stokesley were missing Charlie but could call on Leeton again after being poorly last week.
A big well done to those people in charge of the pitch as this was the only game to take place in our division last Sunday. And after two games it still looked in good shape.
Stokesley made an encouraging start as Grangetown faced the bitter wind and driving sleet. James produced some excellent inswinging corners and surely someone will soon put a head onto one of these and stick it into the net. The deadlock was broken after good work from Mathew Chapman. His pace is causing problems to defenders and after beating his man, his low cross was inadvertently turned into his own goal by a defender. The Dubious Goals Panel (i.e. Martin) has decided that Mathew should claim this one – and rightly so. A few dangerous crosses skidded across the Stokesley goal as anyone who dared stand still was frozen to the spot.
It was great to see Leeton back on target as his strong left footed shot whizzed past the keeper. This gave Stokesley a deserved 2 – 0 lead and only a nasty bobble prevented James from increasing the margin after a neat pass from Freddie.
We knew we would be against the wind in the second half but we kept Grangetown at a comfortable distance until about 5 minutes from the end. We just couldn’t manage to put in a big clearance to give us a breather and after a string of corners, Grangetown pulled a goal back with a good header into the corner. Lennox showed everyone how to clear the ball in the second game and one strong boot would have surely earned us a victory. However, after a bit of pinball in the box, a low shot went through many pairs of legs to bring Grangetown level. We still had two great chances to win the game with both Leeton and James shooting inches wide.
We probably feel that we should have won this but our mini unbeaten run continues
Posted 13 March 2013 by alistair Cowey