Even an hour before kick-off in this game, I still didn’t know where I was going to go. As I said on Tuesday night, I had hoped to have been at Redcar Races today. He was declared to run, but then he was one of almost 30 horses balloted out because they don’t have enough stables to cater for all the horses who were declared. It’s now maybe a trip to Newcastle on Thursday for him and me. I kept looking for somewhere I’d not been to today which was reasonably close. I thought about South Moor vs Farringdon Detached and I thought about Boro Rangers Reserves vs Durham FC as well as Grangetown Boys Club vs FC Hartlepool but I opted for this one as it was by far the simplest to get to.

Match report:

Bowes header enough for Horden to defeat ten-man Yarm & Eaglescliffe

A John Bowes header proved enough for Horden CW to claim a 1-0 win against ten-man Yarm & Eaglescliffe in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday afternoon.

On a wet afternoon at East Durham College, Bowes’ header a couple of minutes before the break proved to be the only goal, but Yarm & Eaglescliffe did have a man sent off for ‘foul and abusive language’ before the goal.

Upon kick-off, both sides had early half chances, but there was nothing to severely trouble either ‘keeper in the opening five minutes.

In the ninth minute, the visitors had a big chance. A low ball was drilled into a very dangerous position, but the Yarm & Eaglescliffe forward couldn’t get the required touch and Horden eventually cleared.

It was a good competitive game early on, but chances were somewhat at a premium.

With 20 minutes played, a well worked Horden move found Ryan Bolam. He had two effort both of which were blocked, and Yarm & Eaglescliffe quickly broke forward. They worked the ball to their number 2, but his shot was well saved.

Bolam then had a dangerous free-kick saved by the visiting goalkeeper, before the same man once again caused trouble for the North Riding League outfit. He burst his way down the right wing, before being pulled backed by a defender. The referee wasn’t going to give anything, but the assistant flagged for a foul. The players thought it was a penalty, but the decision was a free-kick right on the edge of the penalty area and it came to nothing.

Twelve minutes before the break, a Yarm man left his marker at the near post to meet a corner, but his volley darted just wide.

Three minutes later, another set piece caused troubled for Horden. This time, a free-kick was lifted into the area, and it wasn’t dealt with. It eventually dropped in the area, but Yarm & Eaglescliffe weren’t able to get a shot away and Horden cleared.

Then came the sending off. It was originally a sin bin for continued verbals towards the referee, but he must have said something else as it then turned into a red card for foul and abusive language.

Play eventually continued, and it wasn’t long before Horden took the lead. A Bolam free-kick took a wicked deflection to wrong foot everyone and Bowes latched onto it. His shot was well saved, and he couldn’t find the target with the rebound. However, the ball was still in play, and seconds later, a deep cross back into the penalty area found Bowes, and he was there to send a diving header in off the post.

Horden finished the half well, but they couldn’t create any further clear-cut chances.

Following the break, David Doughty tried his luck from 25 yards. He struck it superbly, and it was moving in the air before darting narrowly over the crossbar.

Yarm’s number 7 then had a good chance in the 57th minute, but he couldn’t keep his effort down after being gifted a good chance 18 yards from goal.

The sending off somewhat killed the game, and the second half was rather stale.

Halfway through the second half, a great save denied Horden with an effort destined for the top corner, before Joe Bell fired wide for the East Durham side after a corner dropped nicely for him.

Quarter of an hour from time, a perfectly weighted through ball carved Horden open and played a Yarm forward in on goal. However, his first touch let him down and the chance was gone.

One more big chance remained, and it came the way of Horden. A ball into the area found their substitute forward, but he was unable to control the ball four yards from goal and the ‘keeper made it his.

It proved a good workout for both sides who both start their season on Wednesday. Horden will host FC Hartlepool in the Wearside League, while Yarm & Eaglescliffe will host Bedale in the North Riding League.

Full-time: Horden CW 1-0 Yarm & Eaglescliffe

Next up for me is possibly a game tomorrow.

Admission: Free

Programme: No

Attendance: About 40

• 

• 

• 

•