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Sunday 9 March 2014

Elgie scores and sees red in Jarrow draw

NORTHALLERTON TOWN 1 JARROW ROOFING 1
By Ricky Butler at the Calvert Stadium

Highlights of this match are available here

DALE ELGIE enjoyed an afternoon of mixed fortunes as Northallerton Town were held by title-chasing Jarrow Roofing in a stalemate at the Calvert Stadium on Saturday.

Elgie's superbly taken 72nd minute goal looked to have given Peter Mulcaster's side a vital three points in their late push for promotion. But after Liam McBryde's acrobatic equaliser seven minutes later, Elgie was shown a second yellow card by referee Stuart Kyle for kicking the ball away and Town were forced to hang on.

But Mulcaster was delighted with what he described as another very good display from his side. He said: "It was a great performance again. The work rate was tremendous and the attitude of the players was absolutely brilliant.

"It was not too dissimilar to Whitehaven. I thought we were the better side in the first half and they shaded the second. But I am very, very pleased."

The boss named yet another new goalkeeper in his starting XI as Ryan Hodgson made his debut following a move from Stokesley this week. Elsewhere, Elgie was back in midfield after missing the midweek trip to Whitehaven, Craig Perry replaced the suspended James Howlett in the back four, while Martin Butterworth partnered Graham Caygill in attack.

The big news however, saw Michael Gunnell make his first start for the club on the left-hand side of midfield after impressing in a midweek cameo, meaning Darren Kokes and Richie Dacombe dropping down to the bench.

Town started well and dominated the early exchanges although they rarely threatened the Jarrow goal. Giant Roofing centre-half Dan Kirkup has to be one of the biggest, most intimidating defenders in the league so Caygill and Butterworth were faced with the near-impossible task of negotiating a route past him.

Mulcaster's side were trying to play some good football on the difficult surface but the nearest they came to a breakthrough was an early effort from Caygill that flew just wide of the top right-hand corner.

Meanwhile at the other end, the much-lauded Jarrow attack of Stu Nicholson, Andy Appleby and McBryde - with almost 60 goals between them this season - never got a sniff as Town once again defended with great spirit and determination, seeking a third clean sheet in a row.

The second half saw the visitors gain the upper hand and slowly the chances arrived. Hodgson marked his debut with a good save to deny McBryde, while Nicholson and Appleby also came close.

But it was Town who grabbed the lead against the run of play, 18 minutes from time. Gav Parkin fed Gunnell who had popped up on the right. His low cross into the penalty area with his weaker right foot was looking for Caygill but the ball fell kindly for Elgie to sweep into the net from 12 yards - his 5th goal of the season.

But Jarrow were not about surrender their nine-match unbeaten run without a fight and they drew level seven minutes later. Corey Barnes whipped the ball in from right and McBryde twisted acrobatically in the air to smash an unstoppable scissors kick into the top left-hand corner from eight yards - a goal of the highest quality from one of the best finishers in the league.

The game really opened up after that but Town's chances of snatching victory looked over five minutes from time. Elgie, who had already been booked for a foul on Kirkup, was adjudged by referee Kyle to have kicked the ball away and produced a second yellow for the unfortunate Town man. This, lets not forget, the same official who dismissed three players at Willington the last time he took charge of a Town match.

The Roofers now sensed victory and they they threw Kirkup up front to create some mayhem but the ten-men almost snatched the points at the death. Hickman found himself in the right wing position and his superb ball across the six yard box was only just a fraction too far in front of the late-arriving Caygill and it finished 1-1.

"We are looking much more solid now but we are not scoring," said Mulcaster. "It's a bit of a strain on the rest of the team because when you play well you've got to score goals.

"At the beginning of the season we were scoring for fun but now we are not and it is a little bit of a worry, but we'll try to address that."

Next up is a trip to Tow Law Town on Tuesday evening followed by another away match at Washington next Saturday.

TOWN - Hodgson - Looked solid on his debut and made one great save in the second half. 8/10

Porritt - In what has now become a very settled back four, Pozza is looking comfortable and assured. Offers a great delivery from the right too. 8/10

Hemingway - Like Pozza has made the full back position his own and has been performing consistently well in recent weeks. 8/10

Hickman - Came up against the giant Kirkup on more than one occasion and refused to be intimidated. Another assured display. 8/10

Perry - In for the suspended Howlett and slotted smoothly into the defensive unit. Composed in possession and reads the game really well. 8/10

Elgie - Spoiled what had been an excellent midfield display with a late red card. Took his goal extremely well. 7/10

McLachlan - May not feel comfortable on the right but once again worked hard for the team. 7/10

Parkin - Magnificent effort from the skipper. Constantly drove the team forward and ensured they held on for a point at the end. Man of the match. 9/10

Caygill - Not to be his day in front of goal but worked his socks off once again. 7/10

Butterworth - Like Caygill, did not stop working but had a difficult job getting any change from Kirkup. 7/10

Gunnell - A great full debut for the club. Created the goal with his weaker right foot and showed composure in possession. 8/10

SUBS - Kokes - Come on for Gunnell in the closing stages but too late to really make an impression. 7/10

UNUSED - Stevens, Dacombe, Colman, Anderson.

JARROW ROOFING - Hunter, Barnes, Heads, Dixon, Myers, Kirkup, Nicholson, Gardiner, McBryde, Appleby, Graham. SUBS - Martin, Young, Davison.

REFEREE - S. Kyle.

ATTENDANCE: 89

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