OFFICIAL NORTHALLERTON TOWN CLUB STATEMENT

Following a board meeting on Sunday 24 March, Northallerton Town Football Club has released the following statement.

Team manager Mark Fanning and assistant Martin Collins have resigned from their positions at the club with immediate effect. Both felt that due to changes being implemented at the club their positions had become untenable.

Fanning released this statement on behalf of himself and Mr Collins: “Firstly we would like to thank the board and committee at the club for giving us this opportunity. We appreciate the help and support they have always given us. We would also like to thank the players for their commitment and hard work and to the supporters who have always been first class.

“This is a decision we have not taken lightly and we are both disappointed things have come to this. We would like to wish everyone at the club all the best for the future.”

Former Town boss Peter Mulcaster has taken temporary charge until the end of the season at which point the situation will be reviewed.

“I am absolutely delighted to be back at the club,” said Mulcaster. “I cannot wait to get started and I am looking forward to the challenge ahead.”

Club captain Danny Shoulder will be working closely with Mulcaster to ensure as little disruption as possible to team affairs. Shoulder said: “I am hopeful the players will stick together and see this season through as we have been together a long time and are like a family.

“We have a massive cup game this week and we want to focus on that now.

“All the players would like to wish Mark and Martin all the best for the future and thank them for the work they have done at the club over the years. They put this side together which did not happen overnight, and of course they brought us that great night in Ernest Armstrong cup final last season.”

The club has nothing further to add at this time.

Town splutter to defeat in Arctic conditions

WASHINGTON 2 NORTHALLERTON TOWN 0

TOWN'S fading promotion hopes were all but blown away completely on Saturday as Washington completed the league double over Mark Fanning's side at a freezing Nissan Sports Complex.

In conditions not conducive to good football, goals in either half from Graham Carter and Lee Hamilton ensured Town came home empty handed from a disappointing afternoon in Sunderland.

Fanning was forced to reshuffle his pack as several key players were missing. Leading scorer Adam Emson was stranded by snow in Leeds, while Dave Alderson and Marcus Laing were both absent.

Fanning's hands were further tied by the inclusion of Col Anderson in the Academy side while skipper Danny Shoulder was only fit enough for the bench. The Town boss was boosted, however, by the return of Dan Clayton, who made his second debut for the club on the left-hand side of midfield.

Playing into the biting easterly wind in the first half, Fanning's side were slow out of the blocks and twice the hosts came close to grabbing an early lead as Dean Walker and Alan Oliver both failed to beat James Briggs.

But the Mechanics did engineer the opening goal after nine minutes. Walker released Carter with a lovely flick on the edge of the penalty area and he squeezed the ball past the on-rushing Briggs before tapping home from close range.

And it should have been 2-0 moments later when Walker ran through, rounded Briggs but could only fire into the side netting with the goal gaping.

However, Town slowly began to come terms with the conditions and they dominated the rest of the half. Mickey Dunwell was close to an equaliser with a 25 yard drive which was pushed around the post by goalkeeper Chris Bonner, before James Bowman was denied by the home stopper at point blank range.

But the best chance of an equaliser fell to Carl Chillingsworth midway through the half. The veteran striker's low shot from 18 yards was somehow pushed on to the inside the post by Bonner, who was relieved to see the ball roll along the goal line before being cleared away to safety.

Town were still vulnerable to the ball over the top and Briggs had to be alert deny Walker and Hamilton, but in truth the visitors were unlucky to be behind at the interval.

Clayton was a constant threat down the left and he twice created opportunities for Dunwell, while Ian Smurthwaite fired narrowly wide from 25 yards.

With the wind in their favour in the second period, Town were expected to push on and get back in to the match, but it was Washington who adapted better to the conditions and Fanning's men were unable to really trouble Bonner.

In fact it was the Mechanics who had the better chances after the restart. Dan Young got clear down the right on the hour and his cross only just evaded Hamilton and Walker in the centre, while Walker should then have done better after another great delivery from Young soon after.

But it was 2-0, sixteen minutes from time. Substitute Chris Tate released Hamilton through the centre and he took his time to compose himself before lifting the ball coolly over Briggs from the edge of the penalty area.

It was nearly 3-0, five minutes later when Young rounded Briggs and was only denied the goal he deserved by a superb goal-line clearance from Stephen Banks.

Fanning made changes to add some fresh impetus to Town's play in the closing stages but the nearest they came to a consolation was in stoppage time when a close range effort from Chillingsworth was blocked by Bonner.

Although a disappointing result for Town which all but ends any lingering hopes of promotion, credit should go to both teams who produced an entertaining encounter despite the dreadful conditions.

Town can now turn their attention to the Ernest Armstrong Cup quarter final tie at Chester-Le-Street on Tuesday evening, a competition which is now the clubs only chance of success this season.

WASHINGTON - Bonner, Leighton, Locke, Evans, Donnelly, Oliver, Young, Wade, Hamilton, Walker, Carter. Subs - Tate, White, Hyde, Shaw, Covell.

TOWN - Briggs, Banks, Bowman, Hickman, Winter, Parkin, Butterworth, Smurthwaite, Dunwell, Chillingsworth, Clayton. Subs - Shoulder, Burton, Caisley.

REFEREE: T. Chambers.

ATTENDANCE: 31

Town promotion hopes in the balance as Roofing finish on top

NORTHALLERTON TOWN 0 JARROW ROOFING 4

TOWN'S promotion hopes were left hanging by a thread as third-placed Jarrow Roofing left the RGPS with all three points on Wednesday evening.

In a match that Town could ill-afford to lose, Mark Fanning's side never recovered from the loss of an early goal by Mike Carson as Jarrow ran out comfortable winners in the end.

Starting the night nine points behind their visitors, Town knew a win here and in the return at Jarrow next month would put them right in the mix for a top-three finish and automatic promotion, but it was the Roofers who took a giant step closer an instant return to Division One.

Fanning's side showed two changes to the side that had lost to Billingham Synthonia in the League Cup a week earlier - Craig Winter and Michael Dunwell coming in for Grant Hickman and Colin Anderson.

But despite a bright start from Town, it was Roofing who went in front after 17 minutes when Carson scored directly from a corner, aided by a slip at the near post Marcus Laing which deceived goalkeeper James Briggs.

Town responded and could have been level by the break as Carl Chillingsworth headed wide before Dunwell fired into the side netting.

But the second half could not have got off to a worse start for Fanning's side as Anth Myers doubled the Roofing advantage within five minutes of the restart.

Town needed something quickly and Winter almost provided it with a header that landed on the roof of the net, but it was the visitors who sealed the points when Liam McBryde finished off a sweeping move twelve minutes from time.

And Town's misery was completed in the 87th minute when Darren Reay headed home a corner to make the final score 4-0.

"After good performances against Ryhope and Billingham in recent weeks, this was disappointing," said assistant manager Martin Collins. "But credit must go to Jarrow who are one of the best teams to have visited Ainderby Road this season."

After Saturday's home match against Whitehaven was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch, Town are next in action on Tuesday evening with the first of two trips in a week to Chester-Le-Street, sandwiched between a trip to Washington next Saturday.

TOWN - Briggs, Alderson, Smurthwaite, Winter, Banks, Parkin, Laing, Butterworth, Bowman, Chillingsworth, Dunwell. Subs - Hickman, Caisley, Anderson, Dickinson.

REFEREE: S. Moran.

ATTENDANCE: 97

Town drop precious promotion ponts as Ryton leave with a draw

NORTHALLERTON TOWN 1 RYTON & CRAWCROOK ALBION 1

TOWN saw their promotion hopes suffer a setback as Ryton left the RGPS with a point on Saturday.

A goal from Carl Chillingsworth early in the second half, his 20th of the season, looked to have given an uninspired Town a much-needed three points, but Paul King stunned the hosts with an equaliser

Manager Mark Fanning shuffled his pack following the extra time victory over Ryhope three days earlier but the decision to rest several players backfired as Town dropped down to fifth.

After the excitement of the midweek cup tie, this could not have been a bigger contrast. Passes all too often went astray as Town failed to find their usual rhythm.

But Fanning's side finally made the breakthrough thanks to Chillingsworth's fine finish early in the second half. However, Town were unable to build on it as King forced an equaliser soon after and it finished all square.

"We never really got going today," said Fanning. "The tempo and will to win were missing. Our passing was terrible and our decision making even worse. We made changes after Wednesday's tough game but this now looks like a bad decision."

TOWN - Briggs, Dunn, Smurthwaite, Winters, Shoulder, Bowman, Laing, Parkin, Burton
Chillingsworth, Emson. Subs - Dunwell, Anderson.

REFEREE: M. Hedley

ATTENDANCE: 121

Town's League Cup run over as Synners triumph in extra time

NORTHALLETON TOWN 0 BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA 3 (aet)

Gav Parkin, right, battles for possession against Billingham Synthonia at the RGPS last night

Town crashed out of the Brooks Mileson League Challenge Cup on Wednesday evening, but there was certainly no disgrace in the performance as they took Division One side Billingham Synthonia all the way to extra time.

After a hard fought 90 minutes, Town finally ran out steam in the extra period as an unfortunate own goal from Stu Dunn along with further efforts from Dan Newby and Chay Liddle sent the Synners through.

Manager Mark Fanning again rotated his squad with Stephen Banks, David Alderson, Steve Butterworth, Col Anderson and Grant Hickman all returning to the side after being rested for the weekend draw with Ryton.

Another change was in formation as Fanning switched to a 4-5-1 with Carl Chillingsworth the lone striker, supported from midfield by Butterworth and Anderson.

The RGPS Stadium looking great on a cold, misty night

The tie got off to an explosive start with early chances at both ends. Aiden Cattermole was denied by Town goalkeeper James Briggs, while at the other end Anderson and Chillingsworth combined well for the latter to hit a half-volley narrowly over the top.

The remainder of the first half however, become a dour midfield battle with chances at a premium. Town had to reorganise inside half an hour when Anderson limped off with a groin injury giving young Callum Fletcher, who had starred in the previous round against Whickham, another opportunity to impress.

But it was the Division One visitors who should have been in front just before the break. Robbie Bettison was brought down by Alderson right on the edge of the area but referee Gary Liddle ruled it was just inside and pointed to the spot. However, Kieran Edwards blasted the kick off the top of the crossbar and into the car park.

Billingham began to get on top in the second period but they could find no way past an inspired Briggs. The Town 'keeper did well to keep out a header from Daniel McWilliams ten minutes after the resumption before producing an incredible double save to deny both Bettison and Cattermole.

Man of the match James 'Safe Hands' Briggs

Town were working extremely hard to keep the Synners at bay but offered very little of an attacking threat, with Chillingsworth often cutting a isolated figure. But while it remained 0-0, Town always had a chance and Fanning brought on Adam Emson twelve minutes from time in a late bid to snatch victory.

And it almost paid off with five minutes of normal remaining. Emson got clear down the left after a lovely ball from Gav Parkin, but his low cross was gathered by Synners 'keeper Tim Griffiths with Fletcher waiting to pounce.

However, the visitors could have spared the freezing crowd extra time when substitute Joel Callendar finally beat Briggs only to see his stoppage time effort come back off the left-hand upright.

But the Synners did make the breakthrough just three minutes into the first extra period, although it took the intervention of Town substitute Dunn to finally beat Briggs. Callendar's shot from the edge of the penalty area was heading towards to the corner flag until Dunn, who had only just replaced Alderson, stuck out a leg and diverted the ball into his own net.

Town were almost level within a minute when the ball fell kindly to Emson on the edge of the area but he did not get a good contact and Griffiths saved with ease.

Billingham celebrate their second goal

That proved to be the turning point as Billingham doubled their lead three minutes into the second extra period. Edwards played Matthew Crossen in down the right and he raced past Ian Smurthwaite before drilling the ball across the 6 yard box for Newby to turn home.

Town rallied as Hickman saw a header tipped onto the crossbar Griffiths while Butterworth then chipped narrowly over the top from 25 yards.

But it was the visitors who completed the scoring in the final minute. James Dowson lifted the ball over the top of the Town defence and the impressive Liddle, who had been the best player on the pitch, rounded Briggs to roll in the goal he deserved.

"You could not question our work-rate or commitment," said Fanning. "But the better side won in the end.

"I do not like losing any game but in the circumstances this is not a disaster for us. We have once again matched a side from Division One over 90 minutes and that will hold us in good stead.

"At 0-0 we felt we had a chance of nicking it but it was not to be. However, I will take defeat here if we can now go on and win our next 14 games."

The management team with much to ponder at the final whistle

There was some good news for Town with a league defeat for promotion rivals North Shields at home to Thornaby, and Fanning's side will look to take advantage when they visit Chester-le-Street on Saturday.

TOWN - Briggs, Alderson, Smurthwaite, Banks, Hickman, Parkin, Butterworth, Laing, Chillingsworth, Anderson, Bowman. Subs - Dunn, Emson, Fletcher, Winter.

BILLINGHAM SYNTHONIA - Griffiths, Crossen, McWilliams, Robinson, Abel, Liddle, Edwards, Newby, Bettison, Jameson, Cattermole. Subs - Callendar, Dowson, Lavan, Turton, Forster.

REFEREE: G. Liddle.

ATTENDANCE: 97

*Pictures copyright of Paul Gaythorpe at Pk4 Images. No unauthorised uses allowed.

Holders Town scrape through after cup thriller

NORTHALLERTON TOWN 5 RYHOPE CW 3 (after extra time)

TOWN remain on course to become the first club to retain the Ernest Armstrong Cup as they came from behind to see off the brave challenge of ten-man Ryhope on Wednesday evening.

In one of the best matches ever seen at the RGPS Stadium, Town set up a quarter final trip to Chester-le-Street as a brace from Mickey Dunwell and further efforts from Adam Emson, Carl Chillingsworth and an own goal, saw off Ryhope, who had defender Greg Swansbury sent off in the first half.

Manager Mark Fanning made several changes to the side that had squeezed past Whickham in the League Cup a week ago. In fact it was a virtually full-strength Town side with the exception of leading scorer Adam Emson, who started on the bench.

There was very little to choose between the sides in the opening exchanges but it was the visitors who grabbed a 16th minute lead when captain Phil Hall nodded home following a spell of head tennis in the Town penalty area.

However, Fanning's side were level less than five minutes later. There did not appear to be too much danger when the ball fell to Dunwell 25 yards out, but he manufactured a stunning first-time, dipping volley which gave goalkeeper Neal Bussey no chance.

Town nearly went in front almost immediately when Steve Butterworth crashed a shot against the top of the crossbar, but Ryhope were the better side at this stage.

They looked to get ball forward quickly to utilise the power of front two Chris Winn and John Butler, while the pace of wide men Clayton Davis and Lee McMahon was a constant threat.

It was therefore no surprise when the visitors regained the lead soon after. Butler turned neatly on the edge of the penalty area before slotting past James Briggs with the confidence of a man who has scored nearly 40 goals this season.

But the whole complexion of the tie turned on an incident less than two minutes later. Col Anderson went down after apparently being struck by a stray elbow from Swansbury and referee Steve Moran issued a straight red card for the Ryhope man.

Despite their one man advantage however, Town were unable to create a clear cut opening before the break against a strong, well organised Ryhope defence.

In fact it took until just past the hour mark for Town to finally penetrate the visitors back line. Butterworth, who was starting to have more and more influence, found Dunwell in the inside left channel but his first time effort was comfortably saved by Bussey.

The introduction of Emson soon after gave Town more forward thrust and he almost equalised with a stinging drive which only just cleared Bussesy's crossbar three minutes later.

Fanning's side came even closer fifteen minutes from time. Butterworth waltzed past several challenges on a magical solo run before bringing a smart save from Bussey, while Anderson was only just unable to turn home the rebound.

However, Town's grip on the trophy was very nearly loosened moments later when only a full-length stop from Briggs prevented McMahon making it 3-1.

That proved to be crucial as Town kept their cup hopes alive nine minutes from time. Butterworth was again at the heart of it with another fine effort which was parried by Bussey and Dunwell arrived to smash the loose ball into the roof of the net from the tightest of angles.

There only looked like being one winner now as Gav Parkin volleyed narrowly over the top before a late Anderson effort was deflected wide as it finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, just as it had in the league meeting here in November.

But the opening period of extra time got off to an explosive start. Winn, who although failing to score on this occasion, produced one of the best all-round displays seen from a visiting player at the RGPS this season, slipped over in the area under pressure from Danny Shoulder and Moran pointed to the spot.

Town were unhappy with the decision as any contact did seem minimal but substitute Craig Marron was not about to complain as he smashed the penalty past Briggs.

But the lead lasted less than a minute. A quick Town break saw Emson initially denied by Bussey but the former Stokesley man made no mistake at the second time of asking.

And incredibly it was 4-3 just seconds later. Parkin released Marcus Laing down the right and his low, driven cross was turned into his own net by Ross Stead under pressure from Emson. It appeared the goal may be disallowed as the linesmans flag had been raised for offside, but after consulting with Moran the goal was given and Town led for the first time.

Ryhope may have felt everything was going against them but they they continued to press in the second extra period and it was difficult to tell which side had ten men. Town were hanging on at times but the brave Ryhope stand was finally over with the last kick of an absorbing cup tie - substitute Chillingsworth chipping the ball over Bussey from 20 yards to make it 5-3.

"It was a great end-to-end game that flowed one way and then the other," said a delighted Fanning at the whistle.

"Credit to Ryhope who dug in after they were reduced to ten men, but I thought we just about deserved the win in the end.

"I didn't see the red card incident but if he did use the elbow then he deserved to go. But it did appear a harsh decision from where I was."

It proved to be a good night for Town as promotion rivals Crook Town and Jarrow Roofing both dropped points in the promotion race.

It was also confirmed by league chairman Mike Amos that should Ryhope's ground not reach the required standard by the Easter deadline they will face relegation back to the Wearside League.

Should that be the case, and should they finish in one of the three promotion spots, their place in Division One would go to the side finishing fourth, which of course is currently Town.

TOWN - Briggs, Banks, Alderson, Shoulder, Hickman, Parkin, Butterworth, Laing, Anderson, Dunwell, Bowman. Subs - Dunn, Chillingsworth, Emson, Burton, Winter.

RYHOPE CW - Bussey, Stead, Metcalfe, Hall, Swansbury, Trewick, Davis, Johnson, Butler, Winn, McMahon. Subs - Charlton, Arkley, Cook, Dunn, Marron.

REFEREE: S. Moran

ATTENDANCE: 67

Dickinson's the real deal as Town stage cup smash and grab

 

NORTHALLERTON TOWN 2 WHICKHAM 1

Chris Dickinson slots home the stoppage time penalty winner

AN injury time penalty from substitute Chris Dickinson, his first goal for the club, completed a late Town comeback in the 1st round of the Brooks Mileson League Challenge Cup on Wednesday night.

Having been uninspired for the best part of seventy-five minutes, Town finally clicked into gear in the closing stages to see off the brave challenge of struggling Whickham on a freezing cold night at the RGPS.

Manager Mark Fanning utilised his squad in a competition which is third in his list priorities for the rest of the season. In fact only four players who had started Saturday's win over Stokesley SC retained their places here - Danny Shoulder and Ian Smurthwaite at the back along with Gav Parkin and David Alderson in midfield.

So in came Steve Craggs, Stu Dunn, Craig Winter, Alex Caisley, Carl Chillingsworth and Col Anderson, who were all in need of game time, while Academy graduate Callum Fletcher was given his first team debut on the left wing.

Coming in to the tie on the back of four match winning run, Town failed to find any rhythm in the first half and they were fortunate to only be one goal behind at the break. Whickham, who had failed to win any of their previous ten matches, set their stall out to frustrate Fanning's side but they grabbed the lead inside twenty minutes.

Dunn brought down speedy winger Aberbaker Salim just outside the penalty area and Jordan Lartey's free kick somehow found its way past Craggs in to the far corner of the net.

Jordan Lee then tested Craggs from 25 yards while at the other end the only chink of light for Town was a lively performance of Fletcher down the left.

Callum Fletcher, right, impressed on his Town debut

The second half did not immediately improve for Fanning's side, in fact the problems merely increased when Shoulder limped off with a groin injury eight minutes after the restart.

The introduction of Adam Emson however led to a reshuffle, with Smurthwaite switching to centre half, Alderson to right back and Anderson to the right side of midfield.

Emson thought he had brought Town level less than nine minutes after his arrival when he turned home a low cross from Chillingsworth, but the Town celebrations were cut short by an offside flag.

Marcus Laing replaced Caisley moments later and Town finally began to gain control of the midfield. Alderson was close to an equaliser fifteen minuets from time when he met Parkin's corner with a towering header, but Whickham goalkeeper Scott Cresswell did well to claw the ball away from right on the line.

However, Town saved themselves from an early exit with just seven minutes remaining. Parkin's superb through ball sent Anderson clear in the inside right channel and he held off defender Mark Pattison before lifting the ball over the advancing Cresswell from 10 yards.

Col Anderson chips home the equaliser

The last thing anyone wanted was extra time, and with the visitors now looking tired, Town pressed on for the winner. York City Academy graduate Dickinson, who had only just replaced Fletcher, cut in from the left before being denied by Cresswell, while Emson also brought the best out of the Whickham stopper.

But Cresswell was slightly fortunate to stay on the pitch three minutes from time. Emson raced onto a ball from Parkin and was caught by the 'keeper as he attempted to round him.

Referee Matthew Doherty initially waved play on and Emson fired in to the side netting from a tight angle, but he called Cresswell back to show him a yellow card as Town's leading scorer received treatment for an ankle injury.

However, the winner finally arrived in the third minute of stoppage time. Anderson, who really came to life in the closing stages having looked off the pace earlier, was tripped in the area by Craig Rook and Dickinson stepped up to fire a confident penalty past Cresswell with virtually the last kick of the match.

Dickinson celebrates his late winner with the fans behind the goal

"We only played for ten minutes but it was enough to win the game," said Fanning at the whistle.

"I made several changes as we have a big squad and I wanted to give some of them a rest. I picked a side that I thought could win the game, but apart from Callum (Fletcher) the others did not come out of it with too much credit.

"Whickham came with a game plan to break up the play and frustrate us and credit to them as they stuck to it. We know we will need to improve on Saturday.

"Dickinson looked sharp when he came on. He is a big lad with a good touch and he was confident enough to take on the responsibility for the penalty. It is just a shame that he is not available to play for us more often."

Town will now face Division One side Billingham Synthonia in the next round a week on Wednesday, but before that they will need to focus on a tough trip to Whickham in the league on Saturday.

TOWN - Craggs, Dunn, Smurthwaite, Shoulder, Winter, Parkin, Alderson, Caisley, Anderson, Chillingsworth, Fletcher. Subs - Emson, Dickinson, Laing, Hickman, Tasker.

WHICKHAM - Cresswell, Goldsmith-Scott, Pattison, Cavanagh, Poppleton, Lee, Lartey, Striebelt, Robson, Swanston, Salim. Subs - Rook, Farrey, Holmes, Falcus.

REFEREE: M. Doherty

ATTENDANCE: 77