Eagle Valley Complex Tuesday, April 19th, 2011   Northern Counties East Premier Attendance: 137         Arnold Town 3-4 Scarborough Athletic
2010 /11

Comments :

Rudy Funk secured his first win as Boro manager, in an exciting end-to-end game at Eagle Valley. Arnold, looking to avoid relegation, were up for the game and were keen to try and put some distance between them and Hallam, who could also go down along with already relegated Dinnington. Boro's team changed once again, with Mikey Barker getting a first start for the team on the right of midfield. Josh Clayton and Tom Woodhead also returned to the side, after missing out on the draw at Maltby. There was a place on the bench for 17-year-old winger Luke Foster, who made the transition from Boro's Reserves and supporters' team Seadogs FC - both of whom he played for at the weekend. Barker's pace was causing problems from the start of the game for Arnold's left-back Daniel Gordon. His cross after five minutes lead to a shot by Gary Hepples, which was deflected on the way to goal and as such had the sting taken out of it. On 10 minutes a long-throw by Arnold landing at the feet of Phil Buxton who blasted over from six-yards. Lewis Kearney then ran on goal, but after a couple of touches he shot just wide. Ryan Blott struck just wide on 15 minutes, and Boro gradually started to get more possession. On 17 minutes Barker was fed down the right by Richard Dunning. His cross was struck goalwards by James Webb, and although the keeper saved his effort, Blott was on hand to head home the rebound and put Boro ahead. Clayton hit a bizarre effort on goal on teh half-hour, striking the ball hard from inside his own half, but Arnold keeper Lance Walker held the ball just before the goalline. From his clearance Arnold equalised. Walker found Luke Smithson, who beat Graham Botham after a run down the wing, and his cross-box pass found Mark Smith who couldn't miss. Foster replaced an injured Barker after just five minutes of the second half, and the youngster gave Boro an extra impetus. Foster won a corner soon after coming on, and Botham swung it in. Walker punched away to the edge of the area, where it was picked up by Blott. He floated a cross to the far post. Hepples rose up with Walker and the ball was missed by them both to bounce once and hit the net. Blott's goal. Ten minutes later Boro went two goals ahead. Foster was again involved as he played a 1-2 on the edge of the box with Blott, before unleashing a powerful effort on goal. Walker saved, but the Webb followed in to score. Arnold hit back though, and within eight minutes they had brought the scores level. First sub Carl Spencer beat Woodhead from the edge of the box, and then, after Woodhead had denied Richie Holmes with a flying save, he could only watch as Smithson lobbed him to equal the game. However, still confident and coming forward, Boro forced a winner when Bill Law passed over the top. Blott ran onto the ball and dinked it over the onrushing Walker, allowing the ball to drop into the net for 4-3. A hard-nights work against a strong side fighting for their survival in the premier division. Boro: Woddhead, Belt, Botham, Jenkinson, Clayton, Hepples, Barker (Foster 50), Dunning, Blott, Webb, Law. Unused: Gravill, Richardson, Ingram. Goals: Blott 17, 56, 75, Webb 67. Arnold: Walker, Burton, Gordon (Bradley 77), Holmes, Wood, Hore, Kearney (Meakin 69), Smithson, Carruthers, Buxton, Smith (Spencer 61). Goals: Smith 38, Spencer 70, Smithson 74. Bookings: None Attendance: 137 Referee: J. Thornhill