Beverley Town Wanderers started the brighter in the first match, in horrendous playing conditions as gale force winds disrupted the game from the first whistle and caused havoc for both teams up at Longcroft school.
Bailey Young and Danny Prescott were winning every ball in the middle of the park as they were trying to get things moving and spreading play to the flanks, but the elements seemed to halt any advances with any through balls with pace resulting in an opposition throw in. With time running out in the first half a weak goal kick by the Warriors keeper was quickly pounced upon by the alert Thomas Smith who stole the ball in front of a defender and calmly slotted the ball home to take a 1-0 advantage at the interval.
The second half saw the introduction of Mitch Bellotti and he almost scored a wonder goal as he hit a ferocious strike from distance just wide. The classy Henry Green was now beginning to see more of the ball on his favoured right flank with his trademark runs looking increasingly dangerous as he linked up well with Bellotti and Prescott.
Hard working Jacob Hodgson then won a free kick just ouside the penalty area after showing great strength and determination. Hodgson took the kick himself and his effort was frantically scrambled away to safety by the now severely under-pressure Warriors defence.
The next attack was a real class act, as goal keeper Harry Armstrong launched a superb kick up field the ball was well controlled from Young and he stroked a superb weighted pass down the right to Green who looked up and crossed the ball into the path of Smith, the Wanderers in-form striker doubled his, and the teams, lead with a precise finish under the Warriors keeper, a superb team goal. The confident Wanderers then closed the game out for a well deserved 2-0 victory.
From the outset in match two Beverley Town Wanderers looked far the sharper of the two teams. Within the first minute Prescott was extremely unfortunate not to be on the score sheet, as he collected the ball from a Green cross, and his vigorous strike from just outside the penalty area thundered against the cross bar, as it bounced back down he was the first to react, and this time he chipped the ball an inch over, a fine effort by the influential centre midfielder.
As the minutes went by both teams had to adapt their styles of play to accommodate the aggressive windy conditions. Bransholme began to threaten on occasions but safe hands by Hodgson in the Wanderers goal and a superb headed clearance by Ethan Jacobsen thwarted any opposition advances as the half ended stalemate at 0-0.
The second half saw the Wanderers push for the breakthrough as Green created some good openings down the right, carving out some half chances. As the Wanderers began to camp in the Bransholme half, looking for a goal, a long clearance was met by the Bransholme striker who latched onto the ball and finished well to take an unexpected lead.
In the final minute a superb driving run from Armstrong was rewarded with a corner kick on the right, Young’s exquisite delivery was almost dispatched by Smith as his header flew agonisingly wide of the near post, a wonderful effort. The battling Warriors somehow held on to steal the points and record the win by 0-1.
Man of the match went to Danny Prescott who deserved huge plaudits for yet another masterful display.
Reported by Karl Jacobsen
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