Town back in the final as the Jarrow roof falls in

ERNEST ARMSTRONG TROPHY SEMI FINAL
NORTHALLERTON TOWN 3 JARROW ROOFING 1

TOWN remain on course to retain the Ernest Armstrong Trophy as two goals in two second half minutes from Col Anderson and Adam Emson completed a fine comeback against Jarrow Roofing at the RGPS on Wednesday night.

After overcoming the shock of going behind inside the opening two minutes with a superb equaliser from Mickey Dunwell before half time, Town booked their place in the final for a second year in a row with quick fire goals from Anderson and Emson midway through the second period - the perfect way for Peter Mulcaster to celebrate being confirmed as full time manager.

"I am delighted it is all sorted," said Mulcaster after being told the good news in the wake of this semi final victory. "It means we can now plan for next season. This is the best group of players I have ever worked with and hopefully we can retain most of them.

"I was extremely fortunate to inherit such a talented group and thankfully we managed to keep them all with us. The aim now is to improve the squad for next season so we can achieve our aim of promotion."

As for the match itself Mulcaster said: "We deserved it tonight. We worked hard and played with more intensity than we did on Saturday. It is great to be in the final again and of course we want to win it now.

"Although we scored the important goals in second half, I thought we were outstanding before the break. The early goal seemed to really focus us and we played some good football. The final will be another tough game against a very good West Allotment Celtic side, but we have three league games to play before we can think about that."

Mulcaster made four changes to the side that had won 2-0 in a subdued performance at Jarrow on Saturday. So in came Danny Shoulder, David Alderson, new father Gav Parkin and Anderson in place of James Bowman, Steve Butterworth, Marcus Laing and Ian Smurthwaite.

Grant Hickman saw switched from centre back to left back with Alderson coming into the midfield for his defensive qualities. Elsewhere Anderson, who had missed the previous two matches, was back on the right wing in place of Butterworth, who dropped down to the bench.

Meanwhile, Jarrow made five changes - Jon Carmichael, Darren Reay, Kevin Davison, Josh Allen and Dan Carson replacing Ryan Graham, David Hedley, Chris Hepple, Dan Smart and Josh Larthy.

But the Roofers were given the perfect start with a goal inside 90 seconds. A back-pass from Town skipper Shoulder was sliced by goalkeeper James Briggs straight into the path of Allen who had the simple task of rolling the ball into an empty net from 6 yards.

And it was very nearly 2-0, six minutes later when David Palmer got clear down the right, but Reay fired over the top from 10 yards.

However, Town slowly began to settle into the semi final and Emson had a great chance to equalise after 12 minutes. Parkin sent the 35-goal striker clear with a lovely ball through the centre but with only goalkeeper Carmichael to beat, Emson screwed his shot wide of the right-hand upright.

Anderson was next to go close with an effort that was superbly saved by Carmichael after a lovely ball from Andrew Porritt, before Emson saw a shot blocked by defender Andrew Grant-Soulsby.

Mulcaster was then forced into an change in midfield when Alderson jarred his knee and was replaced by Butterworth, but it did not disrupt the Town rhythm and they were deservedly level in the 28th minute. Porritt found Parkin on the edge of the Jarrow area and his reverse pass was flicked on by Emson into the path of Dunwell who smashed home from 12 yards.

Town began the second period in a similar fashion with Dunwell going close before Emson had an effort ruled out for offside after more good play from Porritt.

But Jarrow always looked dangerous on the counter attack and Briggs redeemed himself for his earlier error with a fine save to deny David Carson nine minutes after the restart.

Then, moments later, Grant-Soulsby nodded a Dan Carson free kick wide of the target when he really ought to have scored, and that proved to be Jarrow's last chance as Town clinched their place in the final with two goals in two minutes midway through the second half.

Anderson put Town ahead with a powerful header from Porritt's 69th minute cross while Emson then burst through to chip the ball over Carmichael before running to celebrate with the fans behind the goal.

"I am dedicating that goal to my biggest fan, Emerson Butler," said Emson. "He could not be here tonight as it is a school night but I know he will be chuffed when his dad tells him all about it. I know he probably only likes me as our names are similar but I appreciate his support so this goal is for him."

And there was a real carnival atmosphere in the final twenty minutes. Anderson was teasing full back Jamie Marshall time and again while Emson and Craig Winter both came close to making the final score even more emphatic.

No date or venue for the final has yet been confirmed.

Before that however, Town have three league fixtures to complete as they chase the final promotion place, starting with the long trip to third-placed Morpeth Town on Saturday.

"We know promotion is out of our hands," said Mulcaster. "But we still want to end the season in style and finish as high as we can. We will go to Morpeth looking to win."

* Programme from this match is available to view here for free
http://issuu.com/northallertontownfc/docs/jarrow_e_prog

TOWN - Briggs, Banks, Hickman, Shoulder, Winter, Parkin, Anderson, Alderson, Dunwell, Emson, Porritt. Subs - Butterworth, Laing, Bowman, Caisley.

JARROW ROOFING - Carmichael, Grant-Soulsby, Marshall, Dixon, Carson (Dan), Reay, Palmer, Myers, Davison, Allen, Carson (David). Subs - Kane, Oliver, Gray, Graham.

REFEREE - M. Carr

ATTENDANCE: 104