Newbarn 3 - 5 Shawdale

Five Star Shawdale…. As Durrant hits four….

On a blustery sunny morning Shawdale produced some dazzling football to over power and out class a young Newbarn side, which never threw in the towel and battled to the end.

Apart from the last fifteen minutes of the game, when the visitors took their foot off the gas and changed the team around, did the home side challenge Shawdale’s goal.

At times it looked like a training game, as the visitors passed the ball around at will. Playing into a strong wind Shawdale came out of the blocks at a hundred miles an hour, with every player touching the ball in the opening exchanges. The defense looked indestructible, the midfield full of running and up front clinical in their finishing.

In the early exchanges, Morrow and Dawson caused problem after problem on the flanks and M.O.M Ireland looked like he was on steroids, covering every inch of the park and threatening every time he had the ball at his feet.

On 9 minutes ‘Twinkle Toes Ireland’ showed his trickery, beating three players in the box and calmly side footed the ball into the corner of the net.

Minutes later, Morrow broke down the left, put in a teasing low cross that fell to reams of defenders, which at first, looked as if a touch off a defender had put the ball into his own net, but after the referee going to VAR, it was concluded Durrant had the last touch.

Then a stroke of brilliance from Newbarn Number 8, who hit a great strike from forty yards out, that flew into the top corner of the net, with Ellidge given no chance.

This was short lived, as Shawdale went back up the other end when a Trialist hit a thunderous shot, that the keeper parried, for Durrant to curl it with the outside of his boot, that hit the post and trickled over the line.

It was soon 4-1 as the keeper couldn’t handle a powerful strike and it was that man Durrant to head it home.

The second half was much like the first, however, the wind hampered the visitors going further in front, as the wind was playing havoc with the ball.

Midway through the second half, a great corner found Durrant at the far post to bring his tally to four.

With fifteen minutes left, Coach Wylie brought off his big guns and took to the pitch himself, giving a whole new dimension to the team. Extra size and mobility were now on show…. In minutes, he had his opportunity to score, but fluffed his shot.

Now the best goal of the match was soon witnessed, as a tremendous volley from thirty yards out from the home sides number 9 almost broke the back of the net to the cheers of their supporters.

Newbarn had a late rally and scored again, with a tap in. But the spoils went to the visitors, who at times played some scintillating football. However, they need to be a little worried of the amount of goals they conceded.