Burley Trojans U17s 6-3 Ilkley Town U17s 16.10.11

By Joseph Pearson

This is the game that everyone talks about. This is the biggest derby in Wharfedale. This is Burley v Ilkley. These two sides had never played each other before in so this game was huge for local bragging rights.

Both sides had good chances early on but none of any serious note. The game was very scrappy due to the game being a derby and also because of the condition of the pitch.  The game was end to end right from the first whistle to the last and defences were stretched. Elliot Drew had a free header yards from goal which he couldn’t control and the game’s first great chance was gone. Sam Rowley was busy in Ilkley’s goal and he made a number of impressive saves to thwart Burley’s attacks.

Suddenly, Elliot Drew was through on goal and he had another great chance. He rounded the keeper, shot towards goal but he found Marcus Lee who brilliantly cleared his effort of the line. It was a heroic piece of defending and Lee continued to deny Drew. Will Atkins’ header hit the top of the bar after an Ilkley corner and the ball eventually fell to Drew. His shot was goal bound but once again, Lee was in the right place at the right time.

Burley immediately countered and it took some desperate last ditch defending from Callum Richardson to deny Burley. Rowley continued to keep Burley out but he couldn’t keep out the game’s first goal. Will Davingoff’s sweetly struck first time shot from twenty five yards found the net and Burley were ahead. Ilkley were stunned. They had created more chances but they just couldn’t score. Town misery was soon doubled. Kyle Moulson’s brilliant volley put Burley 2-0 ahead right on the stroke of half time.

Despite this setback, Town responded very quickly into the second half as Elliot Drew halved the deficit. The game was there for the taking for Town. Burley hadn’t come out of the traps and Town had all the momentum. Incredibly, Tom Ashurst scored Burley’s third despite Town’s start to the second half. Chances were being created at will now as the game really opened up. Drew had another chance for Town when he was through on goal but Tom Day made a great save in Burley’s goal. Day was busy in the second half and the game descended into mayhem. It was quite literally end to end throughout the entire second half.

Unfortunately, James Driver was badly injured and he had to be carried off the pitch. Both sides exchanged possession and both sides created more and more goal scoring opportunities. Fabien Trouille was denied by Tom Day after Drew’s superb through ball and Burley were missing their chances to finish the game.

Ilkley fell apart for five minutes and gifted Burley two goals. Nick Corless made it 4-1 and Alex McNamara’s bizarre own goal sealed victory for Burley. The score line looked very harsh on Ilkley but they continued to fight until the end. Fabien Trouille pulled one back with a brilliant individual goal and James Bullock’s header made it 5-3 with minutes remaining. Amazingly, Town had a chance from nowhere to get something from the game and given the way goals were flying in from all over the place, anything was possible. Town’s minor renewed optimism was destroyed when Will Nash scored Burley’s sixth goal. The game was drawing to a close and it was well and truly finished now.

The final whistle was the end of a pulsating game of football and as the dust settled, Ilkley must reflect on a disappointing defeat but realistically, there could have been more goals for both teams and either team could have won. Man of the Match was Marcus Lee for his performance in the centre of Burley’s defence. His heroic interventions in the first half turned out to be very crucial in the context of the game.  



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English College Football Association Cup - Craven College 5 v 1 Huddersfield New College 02.02.11

By Joseph Pearson

Craven were involved in a Yorkshire cup derby match against Huddersfield New College. After last week’s disappointing home defeat, Craven were looking for a performance so they could put that game behind them.

The opening exchanges of the game were fairly uneventful, as neither side could gain control of the match. The first sight of goal came when Clark Lydon headed the ball across goal from a free kick but nobody was there for Craven to score. The game’s first shot came after Sam Robinson was fouled on the edge of the box but Chris Williams’ direct free kick was directed over the bar. The first shot on target arrived shortly after, when Huddersfield’s left winger shot towards goal and Danny Knight fumbled but did well to smother the ball.

Craven took the lead when Jack Hartley’s cross field ball found Chris Williams. He controlled well with his right foot, stopped the ball dead before smashing it into the top corner with his left foot. It was a brilliant individual goal and the keeper had no chance of saving it.

That old saying which states, “You’re more likely to concede a goal just after scoring” almost came true for Craven. The ball fell to the feet of Huddersfield’s striker and with his back to goal; he attempted a lobbed volley over Danny Knight’s head. Fortunately for Craven, his effort hit the top of the bar.  Half time was approaching and Craven had to keep things tight at the back. Huddersfield played a long ball forward and Knight came out to clear. Unfortunately, he under hit his clearance and it went straight to Huddersfield player, who lobbed the stranded keeper to equalise right on the stroke of half time.

Craven won a corner in the opening seconds of the second half. The corner was floated in at the near post and Sam Robinson met it with a powerful header, which the man on the line couldn’t keep out. It was a perfect start for Craven and Robinson’s play in the game had deserved a goal. With the score at 2-1, Craven continued to attack and they completely dominated the start of the second half but they couldn’t find that final pass to create a scoring opportunity.

Huddersfield were growing in confidence and were beginning to get themselves back into the game. They were passing the ball around the pitch with good control but their first chance to equalise came after a goal mouth scramble. The ball was ricocheting off several players and eventually the ball fell to a Huddersfield man but his shot flicked the outside of the post. Craven blew another sigh of relief when Huddersfield had another great chance to score. A good passing move ended with Huddersfield’s right winger crossing to his striker but the ball bounced up in front of him and he couldn’t keep his shot down. It was agonisingly close to a goal and it was a huge wakeup call for Craven.

Despite Huddersfield’s dominance, Craven caught them out on the counter attack. Sam Robinson held the ball up well and passed to Shaun Hallas. He produced a terrific over the top through ball for Nathan Foster to chase down the line. Foster squared the ball to Robinson, who beat the centre back and shot powerfully towards goal but it was saved well by Huddersfield’s keeper. Eventually the ball came back into the box from the right and Derry Myers was there to emphatically finish at the far post.  Craven had doubled their advantage and Huddersfield were distraught.

Huddersfield’s anguish was increased when they had a huge shout for a penalty but it was turned down by the referee. Danny Knight had come off his line and it looked as though the Huddersfield player was fouled by Knight but play went on and they did almost score. When the shot came in, Knight was still off his line but Robbie Miller was there to clear. This was a huge moment in the match that went in Craven’s favour and left Huddersfield feeling aggrieved.

Tom Bastow, Jack Schindler and Robbie Miller had all been solid in defence for Craven, which was persistently aggravating Huddersfield’s attack. This aggravation was affecting the whole team and it wasn’t long before Craven sealed victory. Some great defensive work by Shaun Hallas was followed up with another great pass by Hallas to Nathan Foster. He was bearing down on goal and he kept his composure well under the pressure of Huddersfield’s defence, before cheekily chipping the keeper who was left helpless in saving Foster’s sublime effort.

 Craven made it 5-1 in the dying minutes when Foster became the provider for Sam Robinson, who scored his second goal to cap off a fine individual display. As the referee blew the final whistle, Craven had won the match comfortably because of their ruthlessness in front of goal.

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Why should you support your local team?

I was lucky enough to find myself at Nethermoor, the home of Guiseley AFC. It was a Saturday afternoon in early October, where the temperature was beginning to drop in preparation for winter, and the atmosphere in the small ground was one of excitement and growing anticipation. The pitch was in an immaculate condition, the players were cleanly striking leather as their warm up begun and supporters were tucking into hot dogs and warm, crunchy pies. Everyone’s pre-match build up was under way. The match officials were side stepping down the touchlines in preparation for their inevitable abuse that will be hurled upon them by fans, so they can quickly dash out of hearing distance of any certain supporters who may disagree with their decision. 

This crowd of unique football fans are gathering in this stadium for the FA Cup 3^rd qualifying round tie between Guiseley and Whitley Bay. The match itself was very one sided as Guiseley dominated their opponents in a 3-0 victory to progress to the next qualifying round where they were one victory away from the 1^st round proper. The attendance was an impressive 704 and I’m sad to say that these 704 have all got an increasingly unique idea when it comes to supporting a football team. Most of Guiseley’s supporters are likely to support one of the local league teams such as Leeds United or Bradford City. These fans have chosen to go to Guiseley for a reason.

Each Saturday afternoon that your home side is playing is a wonderful day for every home fan. There is that feeling of mystery and excitement when travelling to the game because you know that you have no idea what is about to happen. The nerves and the anxiety that had been created through dedication to your club is a feeling like no other. You are worried about what might happen. You fear the worse could happen but deep down, you also dream of a 10-0 home victory where your favourite player scores a double hat-trick. Some greater fantasists still believe that there’s still a chance of playing when they look at themselves in the mirror with their replica shirt. Despite the fact that the average football fan is likely to be middle-aged, fat and bald. You and hundreds or thousands of others are all experiencing these feelings with you at the same time and when the whistle blows at 3 o’clock, you are part of something that is truly magnificent.

 If the opposition scores, there are moans and groans of despair but at the same time, those true supporters do everything they can to cheer own their team and encourage them to give you that feeling of when you score. There is no better feeling for a fan when your team scores. That moment when the ball ripples the back of the net creates bedlam. Who you are doesn’t matter because you and the thousands of your fellow supporters are all equal in joyous celebration of your team’s goal. Strangers will happily embrace and somewhere a bald man’s head will be peppered with kisses. You will happily dance like a raving lunatic when the goal music starts playing and whatever worries that you’ve had during the week are forgotten in this short moment of ecstatic elation.  It’s the most salubrious feeling for any fan and when they can’t watch their team on a Saturday, the next best thing to do would be to get a small taste of that feeling at one of your other local sides. For Bradford and Leeds fans, Guiseley is the next best thing for them so they can experience this feeling of belonging to something. It’s like a drug and to get a small piece of this sensation, you need to satisfy your desire for this drug in any way possible. When the final whistle blows and your side is victorious, you feel as though you are top of the world and anything is possible. It’s only possible to experience these emotions as a fan when you’ve witnessed it yourself in the stadium, which nowadays have become cauldrons of noise and nausea. In defeat you must be reflective and believe that next time, you’ll be victorious.

One day last year stands out in my mind and I remember what happened very clearly. It was the 21^st November 2009 and I was going to Bradford City v Accrington Stanley at Valley Parade. I have been a season ticket holder since 1999 and in that time, I have developed a tremendous passion for my team and I have remained loyal to them throughout my life. I was experiencing all the regular emotions that you feel before the game. The game itself would be boring to any neutral but both sets of fans were completely engrossed as the game kicked off. Bradford took the lead in the first half through an own goal but Accrington equalised late in the second half. The last 5 minutes then became the most excruciating that I had ever watched. We managed to get a late penalty and you feel ecstatic. You’ve got a chance to win the game but then unbelievable nerves take over and the outcome of this kick of a ball, feels like the difference between life and death. The Referee blows his whistle, the crowd holds its breath and time slows down. The penalty taker, Gareth Evans, will be a hero or a villain. He steps up and slices his spot kick into the stands. The utter despair of all around me is unbelievable. Some fans throw themselves about in anger and disgust whilst looking for something to smash, while others are left motionless and in state of total disbelief. They are convinced that they what they have just seen, is in fact the worst case scenario that they have imagined in their head.

At this point, you feel as though it’s finished and that your emotions can no longer be toyed with anymore but suddenly there’s a chance. Bradford striker Michael Boulding has turned his defender on the edge of the box and is about to shoot on goal. You feel the same emotions you felt when you were awarded a penalty but this time you’re certain. He will shoot and he will score. He shoots but his shot hits the post and goes out. The Referee blows his whistle. Now it’s all over. The rollercoaster of emotions have come to an end. My body couldn’t have taken any more. It would have spontaneously combusted but now that it’s finally over with the scores at 1-1, I’m devastated, completely inconsolable and I’m left discombobulated.  It’s time for reflection.

The beverage of reflection has a certain sour taste at first but begins to taste sweeter as you reflect more on what’s just happened. A truly remarkable conclusion to a game of football and I have experienced the extreme emotions of being a football fan. I’ve now left reflection and entered the distraction phase after a game like that. There’s no better tonic than another game of football! Manchester United are playing Everton in the evening kick off, live on TV in the pub. We are currently still in the middle of Bradford and my attention was drawn to man in his late 40s that has just entered the pub. He has a strong Bradford accent but had not been at today’s game. He bought a pint, sat down and began to watch the game. He was clearly rooting for Manchester United and didn’t appear to have any connection with the Manchester club or its roots. He was what’s commonly known as a glory supporter. When they scored the first goal, his reaction was not one of a passionate fan at all. It was more like a man applauding the quality of the goal itself and it left me wondering how? How can he feel any passion for them at all and after what I’ve just been through today as fan, it made me truly glad to support Bradford City. This man will never feel the emotion that the average passionate season ticket holder feels every home game.

Fesco League – Craven College 0 v 4 Stockport College 26.01.11

By Joseph Pearson

Craven faced another difficult game as Stockport College arrived at Sandylands. The game was to be refereed by Andy Halliday, who had been an official at the DW stadium the night before, for the Barclays Premier League match between Wigan and Aston Villa. This Fesco League game may not have been that high profile compared to the Premier League but it was still an important game for both sides.

However, neither side started the game that well in a quiet start to the game. This may have been due to the falling rain being blown around the pitch by a strong breeze. Furthermore, the freezing temperatures added to the difficult conditions. As the half went on, the easier the conditions became and the game was beginning to come to life. Craven’s first chance came when Andy Rowley spun Stockport’s centre back and volleyed towards goal. His good shot was well saved by the keeper and this was the beginning of a flurry of goal scoring opportunities.

Danny Knight was forced into making two comfortable saves from Stockport’s forwards but it was Craven who were inches from taking the lead. Jack Hartley crossed superbly into the penalty area and Clark Lydon just missed it with a diving header. Hartley came close to scoring himself, when his over hit free kick bounced back off the bar and was cleared by Stockport.

It was then Stockport who almost took the lead after several desperate attempts to score. A free header was missed at the far post and then when Stockport counter attacked, it looked as if they were certain to score but the shot was somehow put over the bar from close range. Another chance came when a corner was met with a powerful header from a Stockport player but Nathan Foster was in the right place at the right time, as he cleared it off the line.

The deadlock was finally broken right on the stroke of half time. Stockport’s right winger cut inside to shoot with his left foot and he curled it beautifully past Danny Knight. Seconds after Craven kicked off, Andy Halliday blew his whistle for half time. Stockport had scored the first goal at a crucial time and it was difficult to take for Craven.

Sadly, the second half was dominated by Stockport, who were beginning to look better and better. A great cross field ball was controlled well by Stockport’s right winger and he shot towards goal but Danny Knight saved well. From the resulting corner, a Stockport player was given a free header at the post, which forced Knight into making a great save. Only minutes later, the same player had another free header at the far post from a corner but it proved to be a case of déjà vu as Knight pulled off another good save.

There’s no doubt that Craven’s keeper had kept them in the match thus far and there was a sudden chance for an equaliser. Clark Lydon controlled the ball well on the edge of the box, pulled out wide and produced a brilliant low cross which was begging to be put away. Unfortunately, as Andy Rowley stretched for it, he got underneath the ball and put it over. A great chance gone and it wasn’t long before Craven were punished.

Stockport had a free kick, which was driven in low that Knight could only parry to a Stockport man, who had a tap in at the far post. It was now 2-0 to Stockport and it was all uphill for Craven now. Forced into attacking, Craven had 3 up front now which left them vulnerable to the counter attack. Stockport made it 3-0 when their right winger crossed to his team-mate for a low finish into the corner. Craven continued to fight but they were really up against it now and they conceded a fourth goal late on. Knight continued to make good saves to deny Stockport and there was almost a consolation for Craven when Clark Lydon’s late effort was well saved by Stockport’s keeper. The final whistle finally came and Craven had lost 4-0. Positives can be taken from the first half but they won’t forget the second half in a hurry.