Beverley Town Football Club travelled to Filey to take on Scarborough Athletic who have been newly promoted to the Humber Premier League this season.
Town had no doubts this was going to be a tough task against a buoyant Athletic, who have taken six points from their opening two fixtures.
Beverley went into this fixture on the back of a hard-fought point against Sculcoates Amateurs during the week. They had a number of players missing due to injury and holiday commitments. This gave an opportunity to a number of young players to stake their claims for a place in the team.
In damp and misty conditions, the champions started brightly and should have been in front after just two minutes when a free kick from captain for the day Mike O’Connell was spilled by the keeper straight to the Richard Gibson, who was following in, but the goalkeeper recovered very well to block the rebound.
Gibson then showed good footwork and strength to hold of the defenders, but the keeper once again spread himself well to deny the big striker the opening goal.
It was only a matter of time before this happened, a corner from O’Connell was stabbed home by Andrew Stott for his first goal of the season.
Town increased their lead when from another O’Connell corner the ball dropped to player manager Dave Ricardo, who finished well for his first goal in five years.
The away team were rampant now and Stott made it three when he jinked past two players and finished expertly passed the keeper.
Just before half-time youngster Craig Muirhead had another excellent opportunity when put through but the Scarborough goalkeeper who was really keeping the score down saved well again.
The home team came out with more purpose in the second half and started to make a few more forays into Towns half, but the back four, superbly led by Asa Pardoe managed to snuff out all the attacks.
Gibson had another superb opportunity to add to his goal tally this season, when a long ball, over the top put him through but he hesitated in getting his shot off giving the keeper chance to block once again.
Beverley were now in total control keeping possession well, and after a lovely pass from Ricardo, Muirhead waltzed through and with the outside of his right foot made it four.
Town made three substitutions, knowing that they had another midweek fixture coming up, but this was a smooth transition. Stott was fouled in the box and picked himself up giving him the opportunity to complete his hat-trick, but once again, the keeper made a great save, and also managed to deflect the rebound from Stott wide of the post.
With the game going into the last ten minutes, substitute Dan Kingsley ran through to smash in the fifth and final goal.
This was an excellent result and performance from a very young team, which could have been easily approaching double figures without Scarborough’s goalkeeper making so many saves.
Beverley now move on to an impending midweek fixture against Hessle Rangers, and then next weekend travel to North Cave.
Final Score: Scarborough Athletic 0 Beverley Town 5
