Beverley Town Football Club move one step closer to the KC Stadium after beating Hessle Rangers in the first round of the East Riding Senior Cup.
This was the third time already the teams had met with Beverley winning the previous two, but the league champions knew this would be a stern test on a tight pitch in breezy conditions.
Beverley started the brighter with two 16 year olds in the starting line-up, with manager Dave Ricardo giving some young players an opportunity.
They nearly took the lead in the 15th minute when a header from Asa Pardoe flashed past the post.
Returning striker Richard Gibson was proving a handful for the home team, but most of his and the team’s good work was breaking down in and around the penalty area.
As Beverley’s early threat started to evaporate, Hessle started to grow in confidence, and with literally their first attack on goal, they nearly took the lead, when the home team striker rounded goalkeeper Adam Nicholson, but as the ball rolled towards the goalkeeper, full back James Whittingham recovered well and cleared the ball off the line.
As Hessle started to exert more pressure, they took the lead when a header from a corner dropped to Mike Pipes who tapped in from close range.
However, straight from the kick off in the 35th-minute Beverley top scorer Dan Kingsley caught the home defence napping to score his 6th goal of the season.
As the second half commenced Hessle again got their noses in front, when too many defenders committed themselves leaving Pipes once again one on one with Nicholson, and he calmly stroked home for number two.
Town team made two changes straight away with Jamie Waltham and Andy Stott replacing Gibson and Kingsley.
The substitutions were started to have an impact, with captain Michael O’connell started to impose himself on the game, and it was the captain who equalised with 5 minutes to go from the penalty spot when Danny Norton was upended to make the score 2-2.
As extra time started Hessle once again took the lead when striker Mike Jones, beat Whittingham and Jonny Ricardo for pace to slot in his first goal of the season, after a long injury lay off.
However, Beverley hit back again, when Stott was put through by O’Connell to equalise. The game was now going from end to end, and Beverley for the first time went in front when Stott got his second after a superb move to drive home from 6 yards.
That wasn’t the end of the scoring though when in the 106th minute, Jones equalised again when a ball into the box after a sloppy free-kick was given away by Dave Ricardo, was poked home.
Beverley though showed real character as they once again took the lead with Stott completing his hat-trick and his 6th goal of the season.
And finally as time ticked on O’Connell grabbed his 2nd of the game and 7th goal of the season after good work by young Mike Forester.
Beverley progress into the next round where they travel to Westella & Willerby. Clearly they will have to perform a lot better than this to retain the league title and move forward in the cup.
However, they can take heart from the attitude shown to come from behind three times, on what is a very small pitch, and considering other scores Hessle have had playing at home. It isn’t really that surprising.
Town have no game this week as they have five players representing the Humber Premier League against Teesside in the FA Inter League Cup at North Ferriby Church Rd this weekend.
Final Score: Hessle Rangers 4 Beverley Town 6
