Durham University 1sts vs Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

At the weekend, I didn’t think I would get to a game this midweek but I definitely wanted to get somewhere. I was always on the lookout for a game, but I didn’t realise Norton & Stockton Ancients Ladies played Chester-le-Street Town Ladies last night. If I had known, I probably would have had a look down. Thankfully though, I found out about this game. The other day someone dropped me a message just wanting to know a bit more about me. He asked a few questions and I gave him some answers. I thought I might as well put the answers here too just in case anyone is interested.

How do you remember everything that happens in a game?

I take notes on my phone. I used to have a notepad a couple of years ago but that’s no good when it’s raining, and you can just look out of place. I just take notes on my phone and use them. Or, if it’s an Easington game, I put all the updates on Easington’s Twitter so I use that.

How long does a report take?

Probably between an hour and a half and two hours on average. If I’m in a rush to get it done, I can maybe get a report done in an hour.

Who is the best players you know (nicest off the pitch)?

There are loads of great lads in local football round here and I know quite a few of them. All of the current Easington lads are a great bunch. Away from Easington, I’d probably say Chris Tarn. Tarny is a great lad who is totally committed wherever he is. And he’s not a bad striker.

Do you want to go into sports writing as a career?

Yes. I will be looking to once I finish University, but even if I don’t, I’ll continue doing what I do now.

What are your favourite sports other than football?

Anything really. I’m not too fussed on cricket and rugby though. Horse racing, golf and tennis are three I would say after football. Mind, I love a bit of darts and snooker too.

Report:

To the game and Durham were the brighter from the off. A couple of early shots failed to find the target, before the students broke the deadlock in the 14th minute. Matty Cornish collected possession 18 yards out and his fine effort picked out the far top corner.

A Durham free-kick then rattled the crossbar, before a couple of further efforts failed to find the target.

All Ryton & Crawcrook Albion could muster in the first half was a dangerous free-kick that hit the wall. In the 32nd minute, Durham’s lead was doubled. The Ryton ‘keeper spilled a free-kick, and after an initial rebound hit the post, Bell was there to slot home from close-range.

A couple of Durham chances came to nothing as the first half came to a close, before they made it three seconds before the break. It came through a headed own goal, and it was a fine headed own goal at that.

Less than a minute into the second half, a ball fell kindly to a Durham player 12 yards from goal but he failed to find the target when finding the corner would have extended Durham’s lead.

Ryton’s number 2 forced a save from the Durham ‘keeper in the 50th minute, before another Ryton effort from 20 yards forced another save.

In the 58th minute, Durham added a fourth. Good football worked the ball into the penalty area where an initial effort hit the crossbar. However, Cornish was there to convert the rebound.

Durham went close again just after the hour mark, but there were to add a fifth in the 74th minute. Jack Powis’ fine run resulted with him cutting in and picking out the far bottom corner.

A fine turn and shot almost made in 6-0 in the 81st minute, but it was six just a minute later. A corner was floated into the penalty area and Laurie rose highest to head home.

Durham’s ‘keeper was forced into a simple save to prevent Ryton after a good move late on, but it truth, the Durham stopper was rarely threatened.

Full-time: Durham University 1sts 6-0 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion

Next up for me is Easington Colliery vs Billingham Synthonia on Saturday.

Admission: Free

Programme: No

Attendance: 14

 

 

 

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Sunderland Ladies vs Bradford City Women

It’s never ideal, but it’s always just about doable to get to both games when Durham and Sunderland are both at home. That’s presuming Durham kicks-off at 12 and Sunderland is at 2. With the injury in the first half at Durham, I left a couple of minutes early to get to this game in time. In total contrast to Aston Villa, I had never seen Bradford City Women before today. In the upcoming midweek, there is a really lack of games. I don’t think I’ll get to a game, but I will try to get to one. Unless there is a friendly arranged that is local to me, I might make a trip to Consett but that’s definitely not guaranteed. With their being fewer teams in the Northern League this year (because of Team Northumbria, Blyth and Jarrow Roofing folding) there are fewer midweek games to go to!

Match report:

Sunderland hit double figures in Bradford win

Sunderland Ladies scored 10 as they thrashed Bradford City Women 10-1 at Eppleton CW on Sunday afternoon.

Keira Ramshaw collected her hat-trick for Sunderland, while Grace McCatty, Bridget Galloway and Mollie Lambert collected a brace each.

Emily Hutchinson was the other scorer for Sunderland as the Lady Black Cats ran riot.

To be fair to Bradford, they did score with their only shot of the game as Falone Sumaili finished well in the 79th minute.

However, the result was never in doubt.

It took Sunderland less than five minutes to open the scoring. Galloway’s initial effort was blocked and looped up into the air. When it fell, McCatty was first there to stab the ball beyond Aimee Routledge and into the net.

In only the seventh minute, it was two-nil. Galloway drove forward before cutting in and shooting. Her effort was saved by Routledge, but the ‘keeper could only push the ball into the path of Hutchinson who had a simple finish to double Sunderland’s advantage.

Amelia Kemp was next to go close for Sunderland, before a couple of corners for the hosts came to nothing.

Ramshaw then had a header cleared off the line in the 18th minute, before the Sunderland skipper had another effort well saved.

In the 22nd minute, Hutchinson played Galloway in for Sunderland. However, her effort was saved at the second attempt.

Georgia Gibson, Galloway and Ramshaw both had further efforts come to nothing, before Sunderland made it three with a 29th minute penalty. Khloe Cooper was penalised for a foul on Galloway who dusted herself down to take responsibility from the 12 yards. She confidentially slotted home and the win was already sealed.

In the 36th minute, Sunderland got their fourth. Ramshaw drilled a free-kick towards the back post, and McCatty lost her marker to guide the ball into the net.

Galloway, Gibson, Ramshaw and Lambert all had chances come to nothing in the final five minutes of the first half.

Lambert fired just over in the opening seconds of the second half, but it was still only in the 47th minute when Sunderland scored their fifth. Galloway was played in and her cool finish found the net.

A sixth was soon in following as Ramshaw drilled a low 22-yard free-kick into the bottom corner.

And, still only in the 53rd minute, Sunderland scored a seventh. Katie Barker’s perfectly timed run saw her drive down the wing. Her pullback found Lambert whose clever dinked finish made it seven.

In the 55th minute, Ramshaw got her second. Great work from Galloway beat two defenders and she teed up Ramshaw who did the rest.

When Bradford did get the ball forward, Sumaili was holding it up well, but she was eventually dispossessed with few options on.

Lambert fired over as Sunderland looked for a ninth, but that ninth did come in the 59th minute. It was a beautiful strike from Lambert as her 25-yard dipping effort lobbed the ‘keeper and found the top corner.

A fine save prevented a well struck first time Ramshaw effort in the 63rd minute, before two goalline clearances prevented Galloway twice.

Another Galloway effort could have seen her secure her hat-trick in the 64th minute. Louise Griffiths’ cross found Galloway, but it bounced off her knee and trickled narrowly wide.

Ramshaw was then denied, but she was to get her hat-trick in the 72nd minute with Sunderland’s 10th. Galloway broke forward and worked the ball out to Ramshaw who drilled an effort into the far bottom corner.

Barker almost got in on the act when she fired narrowly over for Sunderland.

In the 79th minute, with their first shot, Bradford pulled one back. Sumaili broke through the defence and her cool finish slotting the ball past the onrushing Allison Cowling.

Sunderland finished the game with 10 men as Anna Young went off having picked up a knock.

Gibson had a late effort saved by Routledge, and that proved to be the last chance.

Full-time: Sunderland Ladies 10-1 Bradford City Women

Next up for me is hopefully a game midweek.

Sunderland Ladies: Cowling, Griffiths (Skull, 77′), Young, McCatty, Kemp, Gibson, Lambert (Atkinson, 71′), Ramshaw (c) (McLaughlin, 77′), Hutchinson, Barker, Galloway

Bradford City Women: Routledge, Cooper, Clark (Dunlop, 70′), Shuttleworth, Jakeman (c), Sales (Durrant, 34′), Moulden, Norde, Omboyi, Donnan (Wright, 70′), Sumaili

Admission: £4 adults, £2 concessions

Attendance: 124

Programme: 50p

Referee: Geoff Mann

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Durham Women vs Aston Villa Ladies

This has got to be one of the most popular fixtures I’ve seen since I started my reports. This game today was the fifth time I’ve watched Durham Women host Aston Villa Ladies, and I’ve also seen Villa play Sunderland twice. The other day I was looking through the stats on WordPress. Before yesterday’s Jarrow vs Easington game, I had written 1,097,824 words on here! That’s quite a few words! Apparently, a 400 page novel is normally around 100,000 words so if I put all of these on paper, it’s fair to say it would cost a bit to print! Durham’s wins against Tottenham and Manchester United show what they’re capable of. It’s been steady progress at the club since they were formed, but all of the hard work behind the scenes and the work to develop the squad is definitely showing now.

Match report:

Durham Women held to draw by Aston Villa

Durham Women were held to a 2-2 draw at home to Aston Villa Ladies at New Ferens Park on Sunday afternoon.

Lisa Robertson put Durham ahead in the 21st minute later, but Jodie Hutton pulled Villa level just a minute later.

Kerri Welsh put Aston Villa ahead in the third minute of first half injury time, only for Becky Salicki’s 75th minute goal to ensure the points were shared.

Within the opening four minutes, Beth Hepple drilled narrowly wide for Durham, but that proved to be it for the opening quarter of an hour.

An injury to Welsh slowed the game down, but the Villa forward was eventually able to continue despite almost being stretchered off.

In the 20th minute, Zoe Ness burst down the wing for Durham. Her low cross almost picked out Robertson, but a crucial interception denied the former Hibernian midfielder.

However, Robertson was to break the deadlock for Durham just a minute later. Hollie Gibson’s terrible back pass played Robertson in, and she kept her cool to put Durham ahead.

Durham were gifted the opener, but then they gifted Villa an equaliser. A mistake from Sarah Wilson gifted Hutton possession and she charged down on goal before a good finish beat Hannah Reid.

Salicki almost regained Durham’s lead when Villa didn’t deal with a 29th minute corner, before a comfortable Reid save prevented Phoebe Warner at the other end.

A couple of Durham corners came to nothing as the first half wore on, but the Wildcats were struggling to create any real chances.

Deep into first half injury time, the visitors took the lead. A cross fell kindly to Welsh on the penalty spot, and her half volley found the net to put Aston Villa ahead at the break.

Following the break, Hepple had an effort blocked for the Wildcats, before Jade Richards’ header at the other end came to the same fate.

Durham were the better team, but they were struggling to create any chances.

Halfway through the second half, Villa could had doubled their lead. A bit of miscommunication in the Durham defence allowed Hutton to take the ball round Reid, but her effort could only find the side netting.

In the 71st minute, Durham had the ball in the net through Rachel Lee, but it was ruled out for offside.

Nicki Gears was always a threat after she had been subbed on, and in the 73rd minute, the former West Alabama forward beat three defenders before her shot hit the side-netting.

With 15 minutes to play, Durham pulled level. Hepple’s deep corner was headed back across goal by Wilson, and Salicki was there to bundle the ball home.

In the 83rd minute, the visitors went agonisingly close to regaining their lead. Hutton burst through on goal but her shot hit the inside of the post, went across the line and was cleared.

Gears and Ness both forced saves from Sian Rogers late on, and the Wildcats also had numerous corners, but they came to nothing.

That proved to be that as the points were shared.

Full-time: Durham Women 2-2 Aston Villa Ladies

Next up for me, at the time of writing, is possibly a game midweek but I don’t know where.

Durham Women: Reid, Hill, Holmes (Gears, 68′), Wilson (c), Salicki, Robson, Robertson (Christon, 76′), Lee, Hepple, Roberts, Ness

Unused subs: Borthwick, Ryan, Dixon, Cottam

Aston Villa Ladies: Rogers, Ale, N’Dow, Richards (c), Gibson, Hassall, West, Warner, Hall (Haywood, 69′), Hutton, Welsh (Smith, 87′)

Unused subs: Elsmore, Brown, Hannsen

Admission: £5 adults, £2 concessions

Programme: £2

Attendance: 454

Chips and gravy and bottle of Coke: £4.10

Referee: Jane Simms

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Jarrow FC vs Easington Colliery

Colliers beaten at Jarrow FC

Easington Colliery fell to a 3-0 defeat at Jarrow FC on Saturday afternoon.

A Jonny Higham hat-trick proved the difference between the sides, but a three goal cushion probably flattered the hosts.

Two Higham goals in less than three minutes halfway through the first half put Jarrow firmly in control, and his third came against the run of play in the second half.

Jarrow probably edged the first half, but Easington were definitely the better team in the second 45 minutes.

The Colliers needed to score when well on top – the last few minutes of the first half and the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Daryll Hall came in to make his debut for the Colliers, and David Vincent returned from suspension.

Within the opening two minutes, Jack Pounder’s dangerous free-kick came back off the wall, before Keith Finch’s routine save prevented Jonathan Hirst.

A crucial block from Jake Metcalf denied Jarrow from a corner in the eighth minute, before a good ball over the top from Hall almost played Connor Short in but Jarrow did enough.

It was an even game in the opening exchanges.

Jonny Wightman was next to shoot, but his effort for the hosts was harmlessly wide.

In the 19th minute, Liam Adamson took aim from 25 yards. However, Jak Wells wasn’t troubled as it was too high.

Jarrow’s lead came to them in the 24th minute. Tom Goundry’s slip allowed Hirst to cut in, and his low pass found Higham who slotted home.

Only two minutes later, their lead was doubled. Higham’s movement gave him a chance to meet Wightman’s diagonal ball, and he headed home for his second of the afternoon.

Pounder, Adamson and Liam Cooke all had half chances come to nothing as Easington looked for an immediate response.

Although the Colliers did have a couple of chances, Wells hadn’t really been troubled up to this point.

Wightman fired over for Jarrow in the 33rd minute, before Vincent glanced a header wide at the other end.

The Colliers up their game for the last nine minutes of the first half. A crucial block prevented a goalbounds Vincent shot in the 37th minute, before Pounder’s header was saved after a Adamson cross.

Just before the break, Goundry’s low ball across the face of goal found Pounder. His effort had Wells beaten, but it darted agonisingly wide.

The Colliers kept pushing forward, but half-time came at the perfect time for Jarrow.

However, the Colliers continued to push early in the second half. A fine save from Wells prevented Vincent’s effort that was destined for the top corner in the 48th minute, before another save prevented Lewis Green a minute later.

Liam Cooke then had an effort blocked, before a flicked Pounder effort was saved.

Jarrow were struggling to get out of their own half in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

What appeared a blatant penalty after a push in Pounder’s back was turned down in the 64th minute.

Halfway through the second half, Jarrow added a third. It was their first real chance of the second half. Hirst’s cross found Higham at the back post, and his simple finish meant he had his hat-trick.

Prior to the third goal, the Colliers had been playing with a very high tempo and it had Jarrow pegged in their own half, but the third goal considerably slowed the tempo.

Adamson and Pounder failed to find the target with half chances as time wore on.

There was plenty of hard work from the Colliers, but it simply wasn’t to be and Jarrow claimed the points.

Full-time: Jarrow FC 3-0 Easington Colliery

Next up for me is Durham Women vs Aston Villa Ladies tomorrow.

Jarrow FC: Wells, Smith, Atkinson, Little, Graham (c), Jewitt, Hirst (North, 78′), Allen (Wilson, 32′), Higham (Wilkinson, 90′), Evans, Wightman

Unused sub: Baltazar

Easington Colliery: Finch, Metcalf (Lincoln Barrow, 46′), Goundry, Green, Ball, Hall (Robson, 72′), Short, Vincent (Pearson, 62′), Pounder (c), Liam Cooke, Adamson

Unused subs: MacDougall, Ashton

Admission: £5 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1

Attendance: 66

Referee: Matthew Webster

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Northallerton Town vs Jarrow FC

The only real reason I went to this game tonight was because Anders Johansen was there, and Katie Wallace and Lee Stewart had offered me a lift down. Tonight would be the only opportunity I would get to see Anders on his Christmas/New Year trip to the United Kingdom. Normally, a Wednesday night match between Northallerton and Jarrow certainly wouldn’t be attended by me. I suppose I could say I came to watch Jarrow FC before Easington play them on Saturday, but I can’t see me telling our management at Easington what I thought of Jarrow tonight making much difference on whatever the outcome will be on Saturday! Yesterday and today was the first time in 2019 I’ve done games on back-to-back games. Hopefully that’ll be a regular thing for the rest of the year. One thing that happened tonight was that Lee and Katie won the half-time raffle.

Won the HT 50/50 draw here. It's the first thing we've won in ages. 🙂

— Katie & Lee (@KatLee_necgcpl) January 9, 2019

I thought I would put that embedded tweet in to see how it looks. Good stuff isn’t it? There’s loads of options for multimedia on WordPress! Anyway, Lee and Katie won the half-time draw with 2103 and I had 2101. If I had been a bit slower getting some money out of my pocket, maybe I would have had the winning number but never mind. I’ve never actually won a half-time raffle before. Mind, I only get them at probably about a third of the games I go to.

Match report:

Northallerton book Ernest Armstrong Cup semi-final spot with victory over Jarrow on penalties

Northallerton Town booked their spot in the semi-finals of the Ernest Armstrong Memorial Cup on Wednesday night with a win on penalties against Jarrow FC.

A very late Jarrow equaliser forced the tie to be decided on penalties after a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, and it was the hosts who scored all their spot kicks to progress.

Damon Reaks put Northallerton ahead in the 64th minute, but Jonny Evans pulled Jarrow level in the fourth minute of additional time.

In the shootout, Northallerton scored all their penalties, and a saved Kris Allen penalty proved the difference between the sides.

Upon kick-off, an early Northallerton cross was glanced wide, before a James Wilson pullback at the other end found Jonny Higham but he couldn’t get enough substantial contact on the ball to beat Max Richardson.

Evans fired over for Jarrow in the 11th minute, before his fellow number 10, Reaks, drilled an effort over at the other end.

Jonny Wightman was next to try his luck for the visitors after a quick burst forward. But, alike all of the efforts to date, it failed to find the target.

Jarrow, playing rather route one football, were caught offside a couple of times as they looked to spring past the Northallerton back four.

Then came the closest Northallerton had got to a goal as a poked effort was cleared off the line following a slight scramble.

In the 24th minute, Northallerton’s Elliott McGlade fired wide while off target when a pass was probably the better option.

A big chance came the way of Nicky Martin for the hosts in the 29th minute. A corner was flicked on a couple of times to find the former Norton & Stockton Ancients man, but his effort from just a few yards failed to find the target.

Another good chance for the North Yorkshire outfit came two minutes later. Dan Jones’ fine ball was matched by an equally good touch by Martin. He charged down on goal but his shot was saved. The rebound fell nicely to Reaks, but he failed to find the target when he probably should have scored.

A goalline clearance prevented a Jarrow header as time wore on, before Higham had an effort saved by Richardson.

Just before the break, a quick turn from Martin gave the Northallerton forward a chance to shoot, but he couldn’t keep his effort down.

Following the break, both sides had early corners, but they came to nothing.

The first half chance came when Allen rose to meet a Jarrow corner in the 63rd minute, but he could only head wide.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 64th minute. Andrew Shepherd picked out Reaks who cut in to beat his man. The former Darlington RA man looked up and curled a fine effort into the far top corner from the corner of the penalty area.

Seventeen minutes from time, the hosts went close to doubling their lead. Chris Emms’ corner found Martin, but his stooping header was narrowly over.

The same man had another chance three minutes later, but he slipped just as he was shooting, and it proved a comfortable save for Mark English.

Just the slightest of touches on Emms’ low ball would have put the game beyond doubt in the 79th minute, but it wasn’t to be.

A good save prevented Evans as Jarrow searched for a way back into the game, before Emms’ effort at the other end was saved by English.

Jarrow applied plenty of pressure late on. Nick Little and Jeb Atkinson both had efforts blocked before the equaliser came deep into injury time. With everyone including their ‘keeper forward, Jarrow worked the ball to Evans who drilled an effort towards the far corner. Richardson got a hand to it, but he couldn’t prevent it from going in the net and penalties would decide the outcome.

Following a good penalty shootout, it was Northallerton who came out on top with a 5-3 win. Martin, Neil Pattinson, Josh Keogh, Emms (in off the bar) and Reaks all converted penalties for the hosts, and Richardson’s save to prevent Jarrow’s first penalty, taken by Allen, proved the difference between the sides.

The result means Northallerton go into the draw for the semi-finals alongside Thornaby, Chester-le-Street Town and Willington.

Full-time: Northallerton Town 1-1 Jarrow FC (Northallerton Town win 5-3 on penalties)

Next up for me is Jarrow FC vs Easington Colliery on Saturday.

Northallerton Town: Richardson, Pattinson, Hewitt, Cheeseman, Jones (c), Proctor, Ramsbottom (Emms, 46′), Shepherd (Scott, 86′), Martin, Reaks, McGlade (Keogh, 66′)

Unused sub: Farrel

Jarrow FC: English, Toward (Wilkinson, 78′), Smith, Little, Mellish (c) (Atkinson, 24′), Allen, Wilson (Collins, 56′), Graham, Higham, Evans, Wightman

Unused sub: Baltazar

Admission: £6 adults, £3 concessions

Programme: £1.50

Attendance: 102

Cheeseburger and chips: £5.40

Referee: Dane McCarrick

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Gateshead vs Solihull Moors

It feels as though I’ve gone ages with very few games recently. It’s only eight days into January and I’ve done three games now, but it feels as though I’m waiting a week between games! Maybe the lack of games on Sunday’s (until this Sunday coming) is causing that. Of all of the teams in the National League, I’ve seen just over half of them play. Before tonight, Solihull were one of the sides I hadn’t seen play. Now there’s AFC Fylde, Sutton United, Harrogate Town (definitely need to get there soon), Ebbsfleet United, Eastleigh, FC Halifax Town, Dover Athletic, Havant & Waterlooville, Maidenhead United and Maidstone United that I haven’t watched before. Or at least I think I’ve never seen all of them before. I picked up on a couple of things from my trip to Gateshead tonight. 1) They’ve changed their tickets so they’re no longer out of date! Maybe they listened to me when I mentioned it in my Hartlepool FC write up. 2) When they’re chanting, the conductor of the chants is a child!

Match report:

Solihull climb to third with win at Gateshead

Solihull Moors climbed to third in the National League with a 1-2 win at Gateshead on Tuesday night.

Liam Daly headed Solihull into a 22nd minute lead, and Darren Carter doubled their advantage in the 52nd minute.

Gateshead did pull one back through a Scott Boden penalty, but it wasn’t enough as Solihull took a deserved three points.

Upon kick-off, it was Solihull who started the brighter, and they could have been ahead after just 70 seconds. Jamey Osborne’s cross picked out the towering Danny Wright, but his header was superbly saved by Anysley Pears.

Gateshead’s first chance came after good work from Jon Mellish. The centre back picked out Steve Rigg on the edge of the area, but he could only blast wide.

Seconds later, at the other end, Wright blasted a similar effort wide.

Jermaine Hylton was next to try his luck for the Moors, but his effort also failed to find the target.

Following a quiet spell, Nathan Blissett forced a routine save from Gateshead ‘keeper Pears.

Mellish fired over for a chance of his own for Gateshead in the 21st minute, and Solihull went up the other end and took the lead 60 seconds later. Carter’s pinpoint cross found the towering Daly, and his header gave Pears no chance.

With half an hour played, Solihull’s lead was almost doubled. A half-cleared ball fell the way of Kyle Storer whose sweetly struck volley bounced back off the post.

Osbourne and Wright linked up for Solihull in the 32nd minute to create another good chance. Wright took aim from 12 yards, but another good Pears save kept Gateshead’s deficit at one.

Boden fired a tame effort straight at Ryan Boot 12 minutes before the break, and that proved to be all Gateshead could muster in the first half.

There was to be a further chance for the visitors though. Blissett’s clever flick found Hylton, but Pears strong save kept the former Swindon Town man at bay.

Following the break, Solihull doubled their lead. Blissett’s touch left the ball open 18 yards out. Carter latched onto it to drill an effort into the top corner.

Only three minutes later, Gateshead were offered a route back into the game with a penalty as Daly was penalised for handball. Boden took responsibility and sent Boot the wrong way to half the deficit.

Both sides had players booked as time wore on, before Blissett headed harmlessly wide as Solihull looked to regain their two-goal cushion.

Few chances came in the second half, but Wright should definitely have scored a third for Solihull in the 79th minute. The former Cambridge United man raced through on goal, but his initial effort was saved. The ball sprung up in the air offering Wright an open goal with his second attempt, but he headed the ball totally the wrong way and into the hands of Pears.

That proved to be that, and it was a deserved win for Solihull against a Gateshead side who created little.

Full-time: Gateshead 1-2 Solihull Moors

Next up for me is possibly Northallerton Town vs Jarrow FC tomorrow.

Gateshead: Pears, Williamson, Tinkler (c), Kerr, Devitt, Forbes (Salkeld, 74′), Hunter, White, Mellish, Rigg, Boden

Unused subs: Foden, Thomson, Maloney, McGeoch

Solihull Moors: Boot, Williams, Reckord, Storer (c), Daly, Gudger, Osborne (Maxwell, 74′), Carter, Hylton, Blissett (Stenson, 80′), Wright (Yussuf, 82′)

Unused subs: Carline, Flowers

Admission: £15 adults, £8 concessions, £5 students/under-18s

Programme: £2.50

Attendance: 519 (28 from Solihull) The photo Solihull put on Twitter makes it look as though they had about 33 fans rather than 28

Teamsheet: 20p

Referee: Simon Mather

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Godmanchester Rovers vs Sporting Khalsa

At the start of the season, I certainly didn’t expect to watch Sporting Khalsa home and away! My trip there in the last round of the FA Vase was very enjoyable, and I was hoping for something similar today with a trip to Godmanchester. The original plan for today was Easington Colliery vs Birtley Town but that was called off as the work at the Welfare Park is still being done. So I opted for another trip down south with Katie Wallace, Lee Stewart and John McClure. I’ve said I didn’t expect to watch Sporting Khalsa home and away this season, and I also certainly didn’t expect to visit Godmanchester Rovers. I’ve not done Whitby Town, but I have done Godmanchester Rovers! Now for a Twitter update. In my last report, I was saying how my Twitter account was locked and I wouldn’t be able to get it back. Well, I managed to get it back in the end so I’m back to being @CWJL4. In other news, I now own a share in a racehorse! She’s called Lassana Angel and I’ll let you know if we expect a big run from her when she’s on course. She won nicely at Catterick on New Year’s Day and there’s hopefully more to come. Sadly for me, I only got my share the day after her Catterick win!

Match report:

Godmanchester book FA Vase last 16 spot with narrow victory over Sporting Khalsa

Godmanchester Rovers booked a spot in the last 16 of the FA Vase with a narrow 1-0 victory over Sporting Khalsa on Saturday afternoon.

Micky Hyem’s solo 58th minute goal was enough to give Godmanchester the win, and the result means Goddy are just 360 minutes from Wembley.

Upon kick-off, Sporting Khalsa showed early intent without creating any chances.

Joe Furness curled a free-kick harmlessly over for Godmanchester in the sixth minute, before a dangerous Alex Woodhouse free-kick at the other end hit the wall.

Another dangerous Sporting Khalsa free-kick picked out Dan Westwood in the 13th minute, but his difficult header couldn’t find the target.

Godmanchester ‘keeper Niall Conroy was forced into a routine save as the game approached the 20 minute mark, and then a quiet period followed.

There was plenty of desire and a few strong tackles from both sides, but neither were carving out any clear-cut chances.

In the 26th minute, a clever dinked Jack Chandler ball gave Micky Hyem a chance, but his glancing header darted wide.

Two minutes later, Chandler was causing Sporting Khalsa more bother. He burst down the wing before cutting in and having a penalty shout turned down. The hosts kept hold of the ball though, and worked it to Austen Diaper but his curling effort was just wide.

With half an hour played, Sam Arnold’s save kept the visitors level. Micky Hyem gambled on a hopeful ball and it played him in. However, Arnold was quickly off his line to make himself big and save Hyem’s effort.

Godmanchester were the better team, and they went close again in the 33rd minute. Furness curled a wide free-kick towards the near top corner, and Arnold’s fingertip save pushed it onto the crossbar.

Fine defending from Reece King prevented Sporting Khalsa an almost certain goal soon after, but it was Godmanchester looking the more likely to score.

With the final chance of the first half, Godmanchester’s Chris Hyem stole possession from Liam Armstrong. Hyem spotted the ‘keeper off his line, but his attempted lob was caught.

Following the break, Sporting Khalsa created a chance inside the opening minute. Good work from Mensah Kinch found Jay Holdcroft but he could only shoot over.

A couple of dangerous free-kicks for Sporting Khalsa came to nothing, before Godmanchester had a big chance. Diaper’s cross picked out Tom Spark, but he could only stab wide.

Although the hosts were edging it, both sides were looking very dangerous on the break.

Following a short spell of pressure, Godmanchester’s winner came in the 58th minute. Fine work from Charlie Bowen gave him room to cross and he picked out Micky Hyem’s whose simple finish put Goddy ahead.

An array of substitutions slowed the game down, before Godmanchester almost doubled their lead in the 78th minute. Arran MacKay’s pullback found Diaper, but he couldn’t find the target.

At the other end, Carlo Franco drilled an inviting ball across the face of the Godmanchester goal but no one in a yellow shirt was there to turn it home.

Holdcroft had an effort blocked as Sporting Khalsa searched for an equaliser, before Josh Thomas sent a half volley wide from 20 yards for the Lions.

Time was running out for Sporting Khalsa, and a rather desperate shout of “someone do something please” came from the away dugout.

In injury time, Godmanchester could have sealed the win. Breaking from a Sporting attack, the hosts found MacKay who ran towards the Sporting Khalsa goal. He did get a shot away, but it hit the side-netting.

Sporting Khalsa huffed and puffed, but they ultimately didn’t create much and Godmanchester deserved their win.

Full-time: Godmanchester Rovers 1-0 Sporting Khalsa

Next up for me should be Gateshead vs Solihull Moors on Tuesday night.

Godmanchester Rovers: Conroy, King, Furness, Chris Hyem, Bowen, Walker, Spark (Fuliantly, 84′), Munro (MacKay, 75′), Diaper, Micky Hyem (c), Chandler

Unused subs: Harradine, Bevan, Palmer

Sporting Khalsa: Arnold, Franco (c), Woodhouse, Miles, Boothe, Meese, Kinch (Birch, 72′), Armstrong (Perry, 85′), Westwood, Holdcroft (Beckley, 60′), Thomas

Unused subs: Osbourne, Gomes

Admission: £6 adults, £3 OAP’s, £1 under-16s

Programme: £1

Attendance: 252

Referee: Joel Mannix

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