Whitley Bay (1) vs (2) Tow Law, Saturday 31st October 2009

Tow Law visited Hillheads to meet League leaders, Whitley Bay in this Skilltraining Northern League Division 1 fixture, played in front of a crowd of 509. Whitley Bay started in lively style. A long ball from midfield put Paul Chow through on goal but Tow Law keeper Simon Bishop got a hand to his shot and palmed the ball clear. A cross from the right by Chris Moore was then blocked by the Lawyers’ defence.
Tow Law broke downfield they forced two corners in quick succession. Marc Eccles then tried a long range shot that Terry Burke, the home goalkeeper pushed wide at the expense of another corner.
A move involving Chow and Robinson ended with Chris Moore firing a 25 yard shot only just over the bar.
The Lawyers gradually took control. A free kick from Eccles was headed over his own bar by Darren Timmons and then Paul Chow made a goal line clearance from the corner that followed. Just past the half hour a Michael Fort header landed on the roof of the net from a left wing cross.
Whitley were on the defensive for long periods as the visitors showed far more urgency, being quicker to the ball and making better use of it.
Just before the interval, WhitleyBay raised the hopes of their many fans with a set piece move and went close to breaking the deadlock when Chris Reid’s long throw was headed just over the bar by Leon Ryan.
Shortly after half time, Chris Moore tried his luck with a 20 yard shot that flew just over the bar but the pattern of the game had not significantly changed.
Ten minutes after the restart, a surprise double substitution by the hosts saw both wingers, Moore and Fawcett withdrawn, to be replaced by Lee Kerr and Phil Bell.
Midway through the half, Whitley Bay claimed penalty when former Bay defender Steve Tobin apparently used his hand to control a cross from Bell. The Lawyers’ defence claimed Bell was offside & the match officials gave neither decision & play was allowed to continue.
In the 70th minute, Mark Salmon, who had been injured in the warm up, replaced Gavin Mudd.
Almost immediately, Tow Law took the lead when Eccles fired in a shot from the left that Burke looked to have safely covered. However, the ball took a huge deflection and looped high over the keeper before dropping just under the bar for a fortuitous goal but one that was nevertheless deserved on the balance of play.
Whitley Bay 0 – 1 Tow Law Town.
Six minutes later things got even better for the Lawyers. Thompson closed in on goal down the left & hit a stinging shot that Burke had done well to save, but the ball ran loose and Lewis Teasdale was on hand to slot it into an empty net.
Whitley Bay 0 – 2 Tow Law Town.
Whitley Bay had to push forward to preserve their status as League leaders and Simon Bishop in the Tow Law goal made a fine reaction save, pushing Ryan’s powerful header over the bar from Lee Kerr’s corner.
Tow Law were comfortable with a two goal lead while Whitley Bay almost seemed to have accepted defeat.
With the game about to enter stoppage time, a Bay attack saw the ball ricochet inside the Lawyers’ goalmouth with several attempted shots being blocked. The referee spotted a handball and awarded Whitley a disputed penalty, which Lee Kerr comfortably netted.
Whitley Bay 1 – 2 Tow Law Town.
From the restart, Tow Law played the ball deep into the Whitley Bay corner & had little difficulty in playing out the remaining seconds, fully deserving the 3 points from the game.
Full time: Whitley Bay 1 – 2 Tow Law Town.

Tow Law (3) vs (2) Esh Winning, Saturday 24th October 2009

Skilltrainingltd Northern League, Division 1
Tow Law welcomed near neighbours Esh Winning to The Ironworks Road ground. Our visitors knew they needed to secure maximum points to avoid being stranded in the relegation zone.
On 30 minutes Michael Fort managed to outplay Gibson before taking the ball to the bye line and squaring for Lewis Teasdale to fire home.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Esh Winning.
3 minutes later Thompson fed the ball across the goal with Coates and Wilson just failing to make contact.
On 42 minutes Teasdale raced through on goal and forced a fine save from Young.
Just before half time Thompson played in Coates who looked to be in the clear only to be foiled by keeper Simon Bishop.
On 50 minues Thompson found ex-Lawyer, Danny Craggs out wide on the left who came inside to fire past the Bishop to his bottom right.
Tow Law 1 – 1 Esh Winning.
Two minutes later a free kick was taken on the edge of the box by Teasdale and found the net through a deflection.
Tow Law 2 – 1 Esh Winning.
On 60 minutes Craggs was unfortunate when his 25 yard free kick hit the right hand upright,
On 85 minutes Craggs took a free kick from the right and Wilson headed home to equalise.
Tow Law 2 – 2 Esh Winning.
A break by Esh Winning found Coates clear with two players in space, he chose to shoot which was easily saved by Bishop and quickly dispatched for a Tow Law break that saw Teasdale bag his hat-trick on 89 minutes.
Full time: Tow Law 3 – 2 Esh Winning.

Tow Law (0) vs (5) Chester-Le-Street, Tuesday 20th October 2009

Chester won 5-0 at Tow Law in the Durham Challenge Cup.
Chester made an early breakthrough after 4 minutes when some good play by Nicholas Kane and Ben Johnson set Nathan Fisher through and he finished well. Tow Law had a chance after 18 minutes when Richard Forster received the ball just inside the area but his powerful drive was tipped over the bar by keeper Josh Carmichael.
Chester increased their lead after 31 minutes when Robert Palmer sent Nathan Fisher clear down the left and he ran on to fire into the far corner.
Tow Law nearly pulled a goal back after 40 minutes when Lee Innes made ground down the right and hit a low, diagonal drive across goal but although Craig Bishop raced in, he failed to make contact. Chester increased their lead in first half stoppage time as Nathan Fisher turned on the edge of the area to fire low into the corner of the net and complete his hat-trick.
Half time: Tow Law 0 – 3 Chester-le-Street.
Tow Law came into the game more in the second half and dominated the opening stages. Substitute Naby Beny Dumbuya twice found space to get in headers but both flashed just wide of the target.
Chester got back on top of the game midway through the half and after 74 minutes a move down the middle released Ben Johnson but his shot brought a good save from the keeper.
Chester did increase their lead & totally kill the game after 76 minutes when Nathan Fisher broke clear and although the keeper managed to block his shot, Josh Home-Jackson was on hand to tap into the empty net.
Chester made it 5-0 after 83 minutes when Robbie Bird cut in from the edge of the area to fire low into the corner of the net.
Tow Law ended the game after 88 minutes when Craig Bishop was controversially sent off for a on Ian Dixon.
Full time: Tow Law 0 – 5 Chester-le-Street

Dunston UTS (5) vs (0) Tow Law, Saturday 17th October 2009

Tow Law – Bishop, Sullivan, Bishop, Tobin, Salmon, Forster, Mudd, Oliver, Fort, Thompson, Eccles.

Subs Turner, Dumbuya

A 5-0 never looked on the cards as Tow Law team started the better.
The Lawyers were the victims of a harsh offside call after 3minutes, Fort looking to break clear of the host’s back 4.
2 minutes later a long shot from Eccles hit the bar and fell into the path of Thompson who could have done better from close range.
UTS came close after 11 when Harkin beat a defender on the edge of the area and shot but just over and within a minute Sullivan tried a speculative long range effort for Tow Law which was off target. Dunston took the lead after 14 minutes - a long ball was half cleared by the visiting defence into the path of Bulford who hit first time, and with the help of a deflection left Simon Bishop helpless in the Tow Law goal.
Dunston 1 – 0 Tow Law.
Within a minute Bulford found himself in space again but this time his effort was blocked for a corner. Tow Law were still giving as much as they got and after 22 Fort directed a cross into the top corner but Connell saved well. Tow Law's case was worsened further when Sullivan was forced to go off with a knee injury being replaced by Turner.
On the half hour, Tobin misjudged a bouncing ball allowing Bulford to get into space but the defender did enough to block the effort for a corner.
A minute later though it was 2-0 - Harkin 40 yards out found Bulford with a precision pass which he allowed to drift to his right before hitting a low shot past Bishop.
Dunston 2 – 0 Tow Law.
Within seconds of the restart Tow Law were awarded a free kick on the edge of the area ... Thompson's kick was heading for the top corner, but Connell made a great save.
After 39 minutes Eccles went close, but within seconds Preen flicked on for Bulford who chipped the keeper but was just wide.
Eccles tried an ambitious long range effort for the visitors in stoppage time but was off target. 2-0 was probably flattering for the home team as Tow Law had created much but two pieces of finishing were the difference.
Half time: Dunston 2 – 0 Tow Law.
The second half started fairly evenly. Tow Law were a free kick in a dangerous looking position after 55 where sub Turner first hit the wall and was then off target with the rebound.
Within a minute the Lawyers went close again when Thompson cut inside from the right and shot across the goal and just wide.
Dunston could have easily increased their lead on the hour - a good piece of individual work by Bulford on the edge of the area - feinted a shot and played in Dixon who hit the post with his shot.
After 65 Bulford created space on the wing and his half cross/shot was just past the post with Preen close to converting.
After 68, Tow Law came close when a cross into the area pinballed into the path of sub Teasdale who hit wide from 6 yards.
With 73 on the clock O'Bern dummied on the edge of the area and the ball fell into the path of Bulford who tried to round the keeper but Bishop dived at his feet to save the day for the visitors.
A minute later the Tow Law defence were split by a perfect pass and Bulford slid past Bishop to complete his hat-trick in a week.
Dunston 3 – 0 Tow Law.
Within a minute Preen was played clear but Bishop just won the race and cleared 25 yards from his goal. Tow Law's relief was short lived when a free-kick from the right was half cleared into the path of Bulford who hit low and hard from inside the 6 yard box into the roof of the net.
Dunston 4 – 0 Tow Law. After 81 minutes it was Bulford 5 Tow Law 0 – Preen beat the offside trap and chipped the on-rushing Simon Bishop - the ball was going just wide but Bulford was on hand again to follow up and slide in from close range.
Dunston 5 – 0 Tow Law.
Dunston sub Potts got clear on the left and cut back for Preen whose effort was well saved by Bishop.
In the final kicks of the match Mick Laws got in an unstoppable header from 5 yards, only for Bishop to make an amazing save. The rebound fell to Laws who was once again foiled by the keeper.
Full time: Dunston 5 – 0 Tow Law

Spennymoor (2) vs (0) Tow Law, Tuesday 13th October 2009

Tow Law – Simon Bishop, Gavin Mudd, Craig Bishop, Mark Salmon, Richard Forster, Stephen Tobin, Michael Oliver, Craig Gott, Michael Fort, Andrew Thompson, David Turner.

Subs Mark Eccles, Luke Sullivan, Lewis Teasdale, Beni Dumbuya

Tow Law visited Spennymoor Town as the only team to inflict defeat on our hosts this season.
A tough physical opening saw Moors take a controversial 19th minute lead. Clarke sent Rae clear. With the Tow Law defence claiming that the striker was offside, he lobbed over the head of keeper Simon Bishop into the corner of the net.
Spennymoor 1 -0 0 Tow Law Town.
Home keeper Niki Lawson then did well to block a low drive from Andrew Thompson with his legs, and with the lively Michael Fort in attack, Spennymoor’s defence had to be on their toes. Fort did get away when he charged down a clearance from Paul Stephenson but Ian Dixon cut out his attempted lay off to fellow striker Thompson. David Turner then fired well over for Tow Law before Lewis Dodds forced Simon Bishop into a tremendous flying save from his 25yd left footed strike which was destined for the back of the net.
Clarke then miscued in front of goal and Dixon powered a header wide of the upright from Stephen Capper’s flag kick.
Lawyers Michael Oliver & Spennymoor’s Keith Graydon were then booked for clashing in the centre of the pitch.
Moors should have doubled their lead early in the second half when both Rae and Clarke had good chances, with Bishop scrambling across his goal to push Rae’s miss hit shot around the post, meanwhile at the other end Fort saw his shot blocked by Dixon and then from the resulting corner Richard Forster saw his half volley from the edge of the area blocked by Waite.
A flurry of substitutions saw Sullivan, Dumbuya & Eccles replace Oliver, Gott & Thompson.
Toft came on to replace Clarke for Spennymoor & Richards came on for Capper.
Waite then whipped over a teasing cross & Toft guided the ball past Bishop into net and the lead was doubled.
Spennymoor 2 – 0 Tow Law Town.
Lawyers had appeals for a penalty turned down following a hand ball by Chris Mason, then moments later Spennymoor skipper and former Tow Law captain Carl Beasley came off the bench to replace Waite.
Richards was cautioned for lashing out at Lawyers sub Luke Sullivan in stoppage time & the resulting free kick ultimately saw Lawson pull of an incredible stop to tip over a point blank Mark Salmon header to keep the Lawyers at bay.
Overall, the Lawyers put in a battling performance against a team who are certainly title contenders.
Final score; Spennymoor 2 – 0 Tow Law Town

Tow Law (4) vs (3) Penrith, Saturday 10th October 2009

Tow Law – S Bishop, Atwell, C Bishop, Mudd, Tobin, Forster(c), Oliver, Gott, Fort, Innes Turner

SubsThompson, Salmon, Benjamin, Sullivan, Dumbuya

Tow Law Town welcomed Penrith to Ironworks Road for this Skilltraining Ltd. Northern League Division 1 fixture.
Attacking the Clubhouse end, Mudd split the visitors defence to release Fort clear on goal. The ball was slid into the net under the advancing Wills, but the Assistant Referee flagged Fort offside.
The Cumbrians first real attack, in the 7th minute, saw Robinson beat an attempted offside trap, advance on goal & calmly slot the ball past Bishop.
Tow Law 0 – 1 Penrith. 4 minutes later, Fort advanced down the left wing & fired in a low cross. Just as it semed that the ball was going to be cleared, Innes got a touch to divert it into the bottom corner.
Tow Law 1 – 1 Penrith.
Shortly after this, Gray went off injured for Penrith after injuring his back in a crunching, but fair tackle from Michael Oliver. Pattinson replaced Gray.
On 25 minutes, Robinson collected the ball in the Tow Law penalty area. There seemed to be little danger, with his back to goal, but he was allowed to turn & shoot low past Bishop.
Tow Law 1 – 2 Penrith.
Within 10 minutes, the home side had levelled. Fort was fouled on the right edge of the box. Turner whipped a low cross/shot into the danger area & the ball evaded everyone to nestle in the botton corner of the net.
Tow Law 2 – 2 Penrih.
On 39 minutes, Tow Law finally got their noses ahead. Innes was fouled on the edge of the box & Turner’s free kick flew into the net with Wills stranded.
Tow Law 3 – 2 Penrith.
From the restart, Tow Law gained possession & the ball was released behind the visitors’ defence. Fort got to the ball before Wills, who had charged from his goal. The keeper collided with Fort, but inexplicably, the Referee only awarded a goal kick.
After receiving treatment, Wills continued in the Penrith goal.
On 42 minutes, Gott delivered a right wing corner into a crowded goalmouth. In the ensuing scrabble, the ball fell to Fort, who sidefooted home from close range.
Half time; Tow Law 4 – 2 Penrith.
It looked the goals were going to keep coming in the 2nd half.
4 minutes after the restart, Robinson was again allowed to turn in the box. Again, he fired low past Bishop to complete his hat trick.
Tow Law 4 – 3 Penrith.
From the kick off, Tow Law went straight upfield. Fort outpaced Robertson & was tripped in the box, giving Turner the opportunity to get his hat trick from the spot.
With the keeper diving the wrong way, Turner lashed the ball towards the top corner, only to see it hit the bar & rebound away.
Robertson had a great chance to equalise on 52 minutes as he raced clear. Again, he shot low, but Bishop was able to save.
On 60 minutes, Thompson replaced Atwell.
Turner had another chance with a 70th minute free kick from just outside the box, but Wills saved well, diving low to his right.
Innes was replaced by Benjamin on 72 minutes.
Penrith continued to push for an equaliser, but the Lawyers’ rearguard held firm.
On 80 minutes, Fort was replaced by Salmon.
Right at the death, Benjamin broke clear, advancing on goal & looking to make the game secure. Just outside the box, he was triped by Pattinson, leaving the Referee with no option but to dismiss the Penrith player.
Thompson’s free kick whistled just past the post.
Full time; Tow Law 4 – 3 Penrith.