Ashley Potter reflects on a night in Darlaston…
Darlaston Town VS Newcastle Town FC Match Report
Newcastle Town Lineup : 1. Joe Slinn (Captain), 2, Roman Allen, 3. Oliver Ritchie, 4. Ethan Vale, 5. Lewis Brown, 6. Karstian Cairns, 7. Harry Bower, 8. Cameron Dourish, 9. Tim Grice, 10. Thomas Jones, 11. William Arnold
Substitutes – 12. Scott Johnston, 17. Harrison Hulme, 14. Jayden Kirk, 15. Lewis Jacklin, 16. Joel Jones
With this being a huge game for both sides, it was crucial that Newcastle Town had a reply up their sleeve from last Saturday, as they faced Darlaston Town at the Paycare Stadium. It was the Citizens who had the front foot into the game, as their current manager Exodus Geohaghon was doing all he can to cause threat for the home side upfront, carrying his previous EFL experience with him.
The long throws from the main man Exodus Geohaghon for the home side were causing an issue for Town, as one of them managed to take a flick onto the crossbar, which turned out to be a huge chance for Darlaston. Building into the game, some excellent play from William Arnold on the left hand flank led him to cross a dangerous ball into the box as it took a deflection and forced Tom Beeby into early action.
Another opportunity landed to the feet of Cameron Dourish who lashed one wide of the post. Some great buildup from Darlaston led Ramello Mitchell to have the ball on the right hand side, as he put an excellent cross into the box meeting Exodus Geohaghon, who headed the ball just wide of the post.
A very close battle so far between the sides as they look to break the deadlock. In the 25th minute, a free kick from Ethan Vale looked to be dipping in the left bottom corner, however Tom Beeby tipped the ball out for a corner, ensuring that it didn’t creep in. Just a couple minutes later, Newcastle Town looked to be causing a threat going forward, as the attack ended up at the feet of Harry Bower as his shot went wide. Huge opportunity for Town to take the lead, however Bowers couldn’t find the target.
In the 38th minute, Town were forced into a change when Lewis Jacklin made way for Ethan Vale who suffered with a head injury, which was a shame due to Vale showing a few signs of danger going forward.
The biggest opportunity of the game landed to Darlaston Town, when a cross into the box found Elimelech Kenduah Enyan who somehow was unable to dispatch from a few yards out, massive let off for Newcastle. Just two minutes later, Harry Bower had the ball on the right hand side as he decided to let off a shot which Tom Beeby was able to save with his feet, however Thomas Jones was able to get there first and strike the ball into the back of the net, giving Newcastle Town a huge lead !!!
Within a few minutes, Darlaston Town managed to grab an equaliser as Zidan Sutherland managed to dribble his way into the left hand side of the box, and was able to get a shot off as it found the bottom left corner to beat captain Joe Slinn. Turning the game back on it’s head, it was crucial that Newcastle could come back from this to deny further threat from the home side.
On the stroke of half-time, Newcastle Town looked to get back in-front when a shot from Thomas Jones looked to be curling in, but once again Tom Beeby managed to push it away from goal, and also manage to save the rebound.
Half Time : Darlaston Town 1-1 Newcastle Town
Overall, the game was very equal with both sides having great opportunities to find the net, as they both head into the tunnel with the spoils shared so far. It could turn out to be a huge decider for either team if they manage to take the points away from this battle.
Kicking back off for the second half, Newcastle had to ensure they matched their attacking threat in the first half as they look to gain three crucial points. In the 53rd minute, a corner from Newcastle Town took a flick on, as it found Thomas Jones who headed the ball into the back of the net to grab his brace, and restore the lead for the away side. The goal could turn out to be a huge decider for this season if they manage to hold onto the lead this time.
Just a couple minutes later, Joe Slinn was unable to claim a throw in from Darlaston as a shot looked to be going in, however Oliver Ritchie was there at the right time with a perfect goal-line clearance to prevent Darlaston equalising for the second time this game. In the 58th minute, Newcastle Town looked to have started another dangerous attack, as a deflected shot which was deemed to have hit the hand of a Darlaston defender landed to the feet of Harry Bowers who made it 1-3 with an excellent finish !!!
Adding a second goal cushion, it looks that Newcastle Town have turned a huge corner in this game. Looking to get back into the game, a pinch-perfect through ball from a Darlaston player sent Zidan Sutherland in on goal, however a heroic last ditch tackle from Roman Allen slowed down the attack
Progressing into the second half, Harry Bower had the ball on the left hand side in the 70th minute, turning Jordan Scragg inside out, but he was let down by his scuffed shot which sailed into the score-boards In the 79th minute, there were some great build up play from Darlaston Town as Zidan Sutherland picked up the ball and lashed it into the back of the net with a great finish to grab a brace and also turn the game back on it’s head yet again as he makes it 2-3.Newcastle Town really need to hold on here and defend well to hold onto the lead as we approach the final ten minutes.
FULL TIME : Three crucial points for Newcastle Town which could be a decider for where they are next season. We face Mossley away this Saturday, as we look to look to gain back to back victories.
