West Yorkshire Alliance Division 1 Reserves 4 - 2 Hartshead Moor
The reserves made it four wins out of five to continue their fantastic start to the new season away at Hartshead today. Tom Draper made his debut in goal with the absence of Quirk, and Withington and Jamie Wainwright were brought in from the first team.
Playing on an overly small and poorly maintained pitch, Sherburn started shakily and conceded within the first ten minutes; Collins moved wide to close down a forward who slipped the ball through to his partner, allowing him to finish at the near post with no Sherburn defender in sight. Sherburn woke up after this sloppy start and wingers Haddock and Beaston had plenty of joy down the flanks, notably James Beaston who was superb throughout the game. Sherburn's forwards were repeatedly caught offside on the small pitch, although numerous decisions were questionable. Eventually, Steven Wainwright equalised from within the box after great work from Horsfield, who skipped past two attackers before switching the ball to Beaston who in turn delivered for the goal.
For the remainder of the half Draper had very little to do in the Sherburn goal. Hartshead did create another chance, but some great covering play from Horsfield cut out the danger as the home forward rushed through on goal. Dixon made it 2-1 after more good play by Beaston and Parnaby; Beaston setting the ball for Parnaby who then crossed into the box. Dixon found himself unmarked, chested the ball down and half volleyed under pressure. Potter had the final chance of the half, volleying from close range into the face of the Hartshead keeper.
In the second half Sherburn took control and quickly went 3 - 1 up, Steven Wainwright scoring his second from within the box minutes after missing an easy chance at the near post. Wainwright broke the offside trap and should have had his hat-trick but made a failed attempt to lob the keeper from outside the box. Potter finally made it four after going one on one with the keeper to neatly slot past the keeper. Jamie Wainwright was then brought on for Haddock and Jordan replaced the hard working Withington up front.
The last ten minutes remained tense after Draper conceded a penalty (arguably he got a hand to the ball but an earlier foul in the box had been missed), the Hartshead captain scored the spot-kick but the game ended without further incident.
The reserves will be happy to continue their good form, but will again be disappointed to only score four goals in a game where dozens of chances were created. A sloppy opening ten minutes marred a game where some excellent football was played. Notable praise went to Beaston on the wing and full-backs Horsfield and Parnaby. Draper made a comfortable debut and Withington also did well and was unlucky to be substituted.
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Selby and District Invitation League Division 2 Third Team 7 - 3 Kellington
The third team finally secured their first victory of the season in an entertaining ten-goal thriller at Kellington. Sherburn came back from a three goal deficit to move off the bottom of the table.
Match Report to follow...
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