Town into top 3 with a Star performance

NORTHALLERTON TOWN 3 SEAHAM RED STAR 0
By Noel Russell at the Calvert Stadium (additional reporting by Ricky Butler)

Gav Parkin and Dale Elgie celebrate Town's second goal against Seaham Red Star last night

NORTHALLERTON Town jumped into the top 3 with a superb performance against promotion favourites Seaham Red Star at the Calvert Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Peter Mulcaster's side were on top from the start as a first half header from Grant Hickman and late goals from Gav Parkin and Steve Banks - his second in four days - sealed a comprehensive victory.

"What I will say is that since I joined the club in March that is by far the best performance by a million miles," said Mulcaster at the whistle. "Against a howling wind in the first half we played brilliant football and looked by far the better side.

"Another Gav free kick gave Grant his 6th goal of the season to take us into half time 1-0 up. The second half for the first 20 minutes or so was even, but then we upped the anti and played some great stuff again, with Gav scoring, and then Banksy putting a twenty yard screamer in the bag.

"There are many reasons why this happened but the main one is the togetherness of the players and the new found spirit in the dressing room. Saturday is another toughie, but with two good performances under our belt, who knows."

The Town starting XI was the same which had beaten Brandon United 4-0 at the weekend, so there was another start for young Mikey Stevens down the left, while York City loanee Chris Dickinson was playing the last match of his loan spell.

Meanwhile, former Town striker Jamie Clarke, who only left a fortnight ago, was in the Seaham side, who began the day in the top 3.

But it was Town that started brightly and they could have been ahead as early as the fourth minute when Dale Elgie's shot was finely tipped over the bar by Seaham goalkeeper Shaun Newbrook. From the resulting corner, Dickinson's shot was cleared off the line. Dickinson then had a free-kick that went well over the bar a couple of minutes later.

The next chance fell to Graham Caygill in the 8th minute after good work from Mikey Stevens down the left, but his shot curled into the grateful arms of Newbrook.

Seaham's first attempt at goal came midway through the first half, when Alex Francis shot just wide, while a flick from Josh Allan was well held by goalkeeper Alex Kell, three minutes later.

In the 26th minute the Seaham keeper produced a fine double save firstly from Caygill and then Dickinson's follow up shot as he was single-handedly keeping the visitors in the game.

Town really stepped up the pressure as half time approached. Col Anderson's 35th minute cross from the right was headed over the top by Dickinson but the breakthrough arrived just four minutes later.
 
In a combination that has brought them many goals already this season, a trademark Parkin free-kick found the head Hickman who powerfully beat Newbrook from 8 yards.

Town could have doubled their lead before half-time too, but the Seaham goalkeeper was again at his best to save from both Caygill and Anderson.

The second half followed a similar pattern. Just seconds after the kick off, Elgie's dipping shot was well held by Newbrook, who was brought into action again when a Dickinson chip went straight into his arms.

Clarke, who had been quite on his return to the Calvert Stadium, finally had a shot at goal just after the hour-mark but Kell did well to save his effort.

That was a rare foray forward from the visitors however, as Town continued their earlier dominance. Caygill came close to doubling their advantage after a great change of pace sent him clear of the Seaham defence, but Newbrook again denied him.

The best chance for the visitors arrived in the 68th minute when Clarke was put through, but he was unable to mark his return with a goal as his shot was high and wide of the goal.

However, Newbrook was by far the busier goalkeeper and he produced another stunning save by denying Anderson at point blank range on 73 minutes.

But it looked as though Mulcaster's side would be made to pay for their profligacy three minutes later. Seaham defender Daniel Gray found himself in acres of space in the penalty area, but with only Kell to beat he scuffed his shot well wide and that proved to be the turning point.

With five minutes remaining, captain fantastic Parkin made it 2-0 with a wonder goal when his curling volley flew into the bottom left corner giving Newbrook no chance.

Banks then signed, sealed and delivered the victory in stoppage time with a buccaneering 20-yard run before unleashing a 30-yard thunderbolt into the top right-hand corner -  his second goal in four days after going over 2 years without one.

With confidence well and truly restored, Town can now travel to Jarrow Roofing on Saturday looking to continue this great run of form. After the doom and gloom that surrounded the club a couple of weeks ago the turn around has been quite remarkable.

Of course it is still early days but Mulcaster's side have shown they have the quality and, more importantly, the character to be serious promotion contenders this season.

TOWN - Kell, Banks, Porritt, Hickman, Shoulder, Parkin, Anderson, Elgie, Caygill, Dickinson, Stevens. Subs - Kokes, Davies, McLachlan, Colman, Holliday.

SEAHAM RED STAR- Newbrook, Donaldson, Gray, Allan, McCabe, Thorp, Reay, Francis, Clarke, North, Malley. Subs - Laidler, Short, McKeown.

REFEREE: M. Andrews 

ATTENDANCE: 134