25/02/2024
By Chris Gibbs
Derby day victory keeps Castle moving up the table
Newcastle Town 3 - Avery 17,34 Jones 90 +3
Kidsgrove Athletic 1 - Bott 5
After the thrilling 3-0 win at Prescot Cables at home a fortnight ago, we were at it again at Buckmaster Avenue with a determined come from behind victory over our local rivals Kidsgrove Athletic in an entertaining game which after a rocky start, we had good control of.
And it was the man that is in the hottest goal scoring form of his life who once again did the business. Jake Avery has now scored in six consecutive games – his brace yesterday made it seven goals in those six games.
During the week, our gaffer Neil had spoken about the importance of making a good start. We might have fallen behind within seconds at Trafford last week and the lesson wasn’t heeded yesterday either unfortunately – a messy collective defensive effort allowing Aaron Bott a simple header and Kidsgrove an early lead.
But our response was strong and fairly immediate. Isaac Graham, who is improving every game, fizzed a perfect pass straight into the feet of our in form striker and he picked his spot in the far corner to equalise.
In the space of five first half minutes Jack Sherratt had a 20 yarder tipped round the post, Tommy Van der Laan headed over the bar and Tom Jones had a shot blocked on the line, so it was no surprise at all when we took the lead as Tom’s shot came back off the post to leave Jake with a striker’s dream – a simple finish from two yards and an open goal.
We had further chances to extend our lead in the second half but having failed to put the game to bed, Bott had two very presentable opportunities to draw Kidsgrove level. Fortunately for us he missed both, was immediately withdrawn and we wrapped up the points in injury time when Jake passed up the opportunity of a hat-trick and instead put it on a plate for Tom to seal the three points.
We now have a great chance to move into the top half of the table as we have a midweek game at City of Liverpool – being played at Vauxhall Motors – which could see us move within three points of the play-offs.
Come on Castle!
Team: Slinn, Derbyshire, Ritchie, T. Van der Laan, Holland, (J, Van der Laan) Stubbs, Graham, Sherratt, Avery, (Berks), Jones, Twyford, (Osborne)
Man of the match: Jake Avery