JARROW ROOFING 4 NORTHALLERTON TOWN 2
By Ricky Butler at Boldon CA Sports Ground
NORTHALLERTON TOWN'S great week came to a disappointing conclusion as a mad twenty minute spell midway through the first half cost them the chance of a third straight victory.
After a strong start which had seen Colin Anderson give Town an early lead, Peter Mulcaster's side fell apart as goals from Andy Appleby, James Marshall and a Paul Gardner brace ended the match as a contest before half time.
Town rallied in the second period and pulled a goal back with a late header from Darren Kokes - his 4th of the season - but the match had already been lost in that costly first half collapse.
"We were absolutely woeful for the second half of the first half and that has cost us the game," said Mulcaster at the whistle. "After such a bright start we were dreadful for twenty minutes. Bad defending, bad work rate, bad everything.
"We had words at half time, asked them to do one or two things, and we were far better in the second half but we couldn't pull it back.
"Yes, the second goal did come far too late to give us a chance. We said at half time 'lets get one early' but that didn't happen, although lets remember they are a quality side."
But Town have done quite well against quality sides this season, drawing at North Shields last month and beating Seaham Red Star in midweek. Indeed, the only change to the side from that midweek victory saw Kokes come in for the now departed Chris Dickinson up front, and the new found confidence was clear from the off.
In one of the great Northern League grounds - although oddly for a club named after and sponsored by a roofing company, one where all the stand roofs leak in the rain - Town could have gone ahead as early as the 6th minute. Graham Caygill turned smartly on the edge of the Roofing penalty area and beat goalkeeper Dan Regan but the ball came back off the left-hand upright.
That just delayed the inevitable however, as the visitors fast start was rewarded just three minutes later. Anderson, who was already having some joy down the right-hand side, cut into the penalty area before firing past Regan from 15 yards.
But the turning point arrived soon after. Gav Parkin was initially denied by a fine save from Regan although the rebound fell to kindly for Kokes, 8 yards out. It looked for all the world as though he would score but the former Esh Winning man somehow fired over the top and what should have 2-0 quickly became 1-1.
A poor clearance from goalkeeper Alex Kell fell to Dean Nicholson on the left and his cross was headed home by former Hartlepool striker Appleby from the edge of the 6 yard box. Town again punished for a momentary lapse of concentration.
Mulcaster's side responded well to conceding, however, and could have regained the lead within five minutes. Again Anderson was causing all the problems down the right and when he slipped in Kokes, only another fine save from Regan kept the scores level.
But Town's hopes of a third win in week were shattered as the Roofers rattled in three goals in 15 minutes to seal the points before the break. Marshall made it 2-1 in the 22nd minute with a strong run and good finish from 20 yards, before Gardner followed up to score after Kell had pushed out a shot from Appleby, 12 minutes later.
Town were stunned and perhaps that explains the static defending which allowed Gardner to fire home his second from 8 yards via the underside of the crossbar within 30 seconds. But while 4-1 at half time may not have been a fair reflection of the game as a whole up to that point, it was harsh lesson for Town. The fact is the better sides in this league will punish mistakes and Jarrow had done that in emphatic fashion.
The second half was always going to be difficult for the hosts. Should they stick or twist. Well in the end the decision was made for them by a very determined Town performance. Right from the start, Mulcaster's men carried the game to the Roofers but for all their territorial dominance, clear cut opportunities were few and far between.
Roofing defender and captain Dan Kirkup is a big unit and with centre back partner Anthony Myers also in impressive form, it is easy to see why they have been so hard to beat this season.
Kokes, who was having no luck whatsoever in front of goal, saw a 71st minute effort cleared off the line by Ian Dixon. Meanwhile Anderson headed a Parkin free kick just over the top and in-form Stephen Banks failed to repeat his 30 yard wonder goal from Wednesday night.
But Town deserved to make the final score closer and they did so with six minutes remaining. Again it was a set-piece delivery from Parkin that created the opportunity and Kokes finally got the better of Regan with a neat, close-range header.
It was, however, too little too late.
"We had 12 corners in the second half and they didn't have any" said Mulcaster. "70 per cent of the play was in their half. But it was too late. We had already thrown it away.
"It's disappointing but it happens sometimes. We had words at half time and they went out and did exactly what they were asked to do."
Town have no time to lick their wounds as they face high-flying Birtley Town at the Calvert Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Mulcaster, who temporarily forgot the name of his sides next opponents, said: "That will be another tough game. I have watched them already this season and they are a good, young side with several lads from the Gateshead Academy so it will another test for us."
Kick off at the Calvert Stadium, for what is sure to be another exciting game, is 7.30pm.
JARROW ROOFING - Regan, Carson, Davison, Dixon, Myers, Kirkup, Marshall, Gardner, McBryde, Appleby, Nicholson. Subs - Young, Reay, Chapin, McDonald, Robson.
TOWN - Kell, Banks, Porritt, Hickman, Shoulder, Parkin, Anderson, Elgie, Caygill, Kokes, Stevens. Subs - McLachlan, Davies, Colman.
REFEREE - P. Osgood
ATTENDANCE: 37
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