Saturday 7th August 2010 – skilltrainingltd Northern League Div. 2

Guisborough Town v Horden Colliery Welfare

Guisborough Town – Jonathan McDonald / Paul Roddam / Mark Nicholson / Lee Bythway / Tom Portas (Joel Guy 75 mins) / Austin Johnston / Luke Bythway / Karl Charlton (Richard Walker 68mins) / David Onions / Chris I’Anson (Nathan Steel 63 mins) / Gary Wood

Substitutes not used – Michael James & Henry Shane

Bookings – Luke Bythway 64 mins / Austin Johnston 71st min.

Referee – Mr. Darren Walker
Assistant Referee’s – Mr Lee Chapman and Mr Ian Ellis

Horden CW – Christopher Rookes / Martin Langley / Liam Anderson / Lee Armes / Danny Parker / Sean Young / Danny Reeves / Lewis Hawkins (Shane Erskine 75 mins) / Anthony Hume / Anthony Davies (Adam Cheung 81st min) / Mark Robinson

Substitutes not used – Grant Herbert / Kevin Boddy / Harry Taylor

Bookings – Liam Anderson 41st min / Sean Young 48th min / Anthony Davies 52nd min / Danny Reeves 69th min.

Horden CW gave debuts to no less than seven players in the opening line up, heavy showers before the game then stunning sunshine throughout the match. Horden CW in their new all green strip created the games first goal scoring opportunity in the 2nd minute, a punt forward by keeper Christopher Rookes landed at the feet of Lewis Hawkins whose 30 yard drive was only parried by the keeper and just ushered to safety by the left back with Anthony Hume closing him down.

Guisborough began to dominate the midfield, spanning off to both wings which both Horden’s full backs couldn’t stop the crosses piling in. The hosts had experienced forwards who capitalised on indecision in the Horden defence and the Colliers were 4-0 down on the half hour.

The opening goal came in the 14th minute when Luke Bythway split the Horden defence to play in David Onions whose close range shot was deflected into the net giving Rookes no chance. Five minutes later and the hosts doubled their lead when Karl Charlton’s long head high ball from his own half evaded the Colliers defence for Chris I’Anson to run onto and coolly slot past the advancing Rookes.

A shell shocked Horden couldn’t string two passes together and found themselves 3-0 down in the 21st minute, despite valiant efforts from Reeves and Danny Parker to clear the dangers. Another cross come shot by Luke Bythway from the right hit the far post and desperate defending in the melee that followed couldn’t stop Luke Bythway stroking the ball home from the edge of the 6 yard box.

The Colliers nearly reduced the arrears three minutes later in a rare attack up field. Anthony Hume tirelessly chased every lost cause and won a corner which was taken by Mark Robinson and this was headed out by Charlton to Lewis Hawkins who fired just wide from 25 yards out. Then 4-0 down on the half hour mark when Austin Johnston was somehow allowed to run across the face of the Colliers box and then given time to line up his drive and fire home from 25 yards out as this the most disappointing goal to give away.

On the left wing Mark Robinson probed at every opportunity drawing two defenders with him every time and in the 35th minute his corner taken from the right was directed perfectly for Hume who had broke to make space at the far post though the ball was cleverly poked cleared by Lee Bythway to Lewis Hawkins who had another 25 yard shot that flew just over the bar.

Chris I’Anson could and should have made it five for the hosts in the 41st minute, Rookes’ clearance was chased by Anthony Davies with a one on one with the keeper who just, and I do mean just, cleared the ball. This seemed to spark Horden as they finished the half the stronger, great play again by Robinson who set up Liam Anderson with space on the left just inside the box and his weighted shot bounced agonizingly the wrong side of the far post.

More Horden pressure led to the ball being laid back to Hume whose 25 yard pile driver was brilliantly tipped over the bar. Into injury time and the Colliers got their reward with a superb well worked goal. Once again the instrumental Robinson carved up another opening on the left for Hawkins who cunningly split the home defence as he played a reverse side step pass along the face of the goal which the unmarked Anthony Davies slotted home at the far post.

Half Time Score – Guisborough Town 4 Horden Colliery Welfare 1

A determined looking Horden started the 2nd half in a bid to reduce the deficit, though the referee stopped play in the 47th minute when Horden CW stalwart and Vice-Chairman, Bob Wood tried to stop the ball when it went out of play and thus stumbled on the uneven hard standing leaving him flat on the ground. With the shocked Horden officials by Bob’s side it was so appreciated when Guisborough Town officials came running to his aid and their help, their support and concern and does restore one’s faith in human nature. After receiving treatment from the Guisborough physio Becky, Bob remained seated for the remainder of the match sat on a chair from the clubhouse.

After surviving a couple of scares the Colliers were rewarded with a penalty in the 67th minute, central defender Lee Armes advanced forward on the right and crossed perfectly to Robinson on the left whom shrugged off strong challenges Mark Nicholson before being upended deep into the 6 yard box. Anthony Hume stepped up and placed the resultant spot kick to the left top left hand corner for which Guisborough goal keeper Jonathan McDonald had remained upright and wonderfully palmed away the danger, this was really unfortunate for Hume whose penalty would have beaten most keepers.

Nevertheless the Colliers persisted in their efforts to pull a goal back and by this time the match referee had enough of the hosts continually complaining about decisions given against them and he finally starting booking their players for dissent which he should have done earlier in the game.

Danny Reeves tried his luck from 25 yards out with a well placed free kick which the keeper could only parry before the left back cleared the danger. It was obvious Guisborough appeared frustrated with their 2nd half display as Horden had not given them the time and space as they had done in the 1st half. Substitute Shane Erskine fired over from the edge of the box in the 80th minute when being set up by Mark Robinson.

Though against the run of play, crudely the Colliers conceded a fifth in the 87th minute, in a counter attack Danny Parker was adjudged to have fouled Luke Bythway on the edge of the box, it seemed an incredible decision from where I stood as it appeared to have been a well timed tackle though the match official was closer to the incident than I was and this was hotly disputed by the Horden contingent. Though this clearly disturbed the defences concentration as brother Lee took the resultant free kick for which Luke ran onto and slotted home from an acute angle on the left totally unmarked.

A far improved 2nd half display from which Horden deserved more and there must have been some well chosen words at half time from Brian and Ian, fair to say some players really let themselves down especially with the 1st half ‘s woeful performance, so it’s up to them to restore parity. Also disappointing was picking up four bookings as it appeared the referee reacted to the home crowd outbursts in what was a flowing game.

Man of the match –

1st Mark Robinson
2nd Danny Parker
3rd Anthony Hume

Full Time Score – Guisborough Town 5 Horden Colliery Welfare 1

David Onions 14 mins Anthony Davies 45 mins
Chris I’Anson 19 mins
Luke Bythway 21 & 87 mins,
Austin Johnston 30 mins

Though the result and performance is relatively minor as Bob Wood at the end of the game was still unable to walk and had to be stretched out of the ground and laid by the entrance for the paramedic and ambulance staff to take him to the James Cook hospital where he is comfortable at time of writing this report. Once again must thank Becky, Sarah and a gentleman from Guisborough whom were simply wonderful in supporting Bob and his wife Sylvia, cannot find the words to express the Horden CW football club’s appreciation for them.