Second half…. There under starters orders…….and there off!!!!!
On one of the hottest days of the year Shawdale produced a sizzling second half display, to pin back a two-goal deficit to take the spoils at Heyside Park.
With the lads at York races yesterday, they didn’t get their starters orders until just after half time and were walking round the paddock for most of the first period.
Playing up the hill in the first half, the home size found it tough against a resilient Raptors side.
However, Shawdale had the first attempt, with Durrant curling a shot, which brushed the outside of the post. Royton at every opportunity tried to catch the home side on the break, with their long balls down field. Then after a great save by Ellidge, the ball ricocheted against Allotts head and rolled into the back of the net.
Then ten minutes later, it got even worse for the home side, as the visitors broke from the halfway to increase their lead with a great strike.
Shawdale at 6’s and 7’s, passes going a stray and putting themselves under pressure for most of the first period.. Shawdale only mustering a couple of half chances from Ireland and Holmes in the first period. But it was short lived for the gallant visitors, as the horses were let out and a stampede was short to follow.
First, the powerhouse Holmes up front, as last week hit a thunderous left foot drive from outside the box, which flew past a bewildered keeper.
VAR also, should have been in place, as two blatant penalties were waved away by the referee.
Then like the winner of the 3.30 at York, the stallion like Holmes ran down the wing through a crowd of players, to square a lovely ball for Durrant to tap home.
Then minutes later, almost a carbon copy of the first but this time, Durrant squaring it for Holmes to strike home. Wriggers, up to his old tricks out wide, bamboozling his opposite number with some tricky foot work and his comments. Its 48 degree today!!!???
On 75 mins, Wylie saw red after a kung foo tackle was pulled up for dangerous play, not happy on his opposite coaches remarks, as his victim picked himself up nonchalantly from the adjacent car park.
‘Tommy the Rock’, rounded things off on 80 mins, after another strong run from Holmes, fed ‘The Rock’ to send the ball into the roof of the net.
Wylie admitted “it was more like cricket weather today, but when the lads finally came out of the blocks, they played well. The heat played a factor for both sides, but our extra class and fitness brought us through.
With the season starting next week Shawdale face Royton Raptors again in the start of the 2019/20 season