Tow Law (0) vs (1) Shildon

Tow Law – Alston, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Bell, Hutt, Mudd, Renshaw, March, Benjamin, McGuire, Eccles.
Subs – Dixon, Langthorne, Teasdale, Wilkinson, Allen.

Shildon – Spence, Cowan, Mason, Ptak, Hutton, Jury, Niven, Raitt, Masters, Gredziak, Emson.
Subs – Clough, Bullyment, Mendum, Ankers.

Tow Law welcomed Shildon to Ironworks Road for this Arngrove Northern League Division 1 fixture, the final game of the season.
On 3 minutes, Mudd had a good opportunity for the Lawyers but pulled his 20 yard shot just wide of the post.
Masters was allowed a header on 6 minutes, but Alston in the home goal was able to save easily.
On 14 minutes, Alston mishandled the ball on his 6 yard line, but after a goalmouth scramble was able to recover & dive on the loose ball..
3 minutes later, Eccles delivered a corner, which Benjamin headed just wide.
With the game swinging from end to end in open play, Master was allowed a clear run on goal after 19 minutes. Luckily for the home team, he was unable to hit the target.
On 25 minutes, Renshaw played Gowland down the right wing, but his shot was pushed for a corner by Spence.
Half time; Tow Law (0) – (0) Shildon.
Langthorne replaced Mudd at the start of the 2nd half.
On 52 minutes, Emson had an excellent chance to put the visitors ahead, but his shot was well saved by Alston.
2 minutes later, Teasdale replaced Eccles.
On 62 minutes, Tow Law had a number of corners, delivered right into the danger area. Unfortunately, the forwards couldn’t get a vital touch & Shildon were able to clear the ball.
Renshaw played in Benjamin on 68 minutes, but he was forced away from goal & put the shot wide of the target.
It was to prove a costly miss; Shildon moved the ball up field to Masters, who turned Bell & Hutt on the edge of the box, to fire low into the corner of the net.
Tow Law (0) – (1) Shildon.
On 77 minutes, March was replaced by Dixon.
McGuire had a good attempt on goal after 79 minutes, but once again Spence tipped the ball away for another corner.
With 5 minutes remaining, Langthorne rolled the ball into Renshaw’s path, but he couldn’t keep his shot down & the ball sailed over the bar.
Shildon held on to take the 3 points, whilst Tow Law finished a creditworthy 7th in Division 1.
Full time; Tow Law (0) – (1) Shildon.

Spennymoor (2) vs (1) Tow Law, Saturday 19th April 2008

Spennymoor – Lawson, Beasley, Bishop, Wilkinson, Foster, Roberts, Waite, Robinson, Clarke, Storr, Richards.
Subs – Ward, Hyson, Ainsley, Raw, Jarvis.

Tow Law – Norton, Dixon, Hollingsworth, Hutt, Bell, March, Gowland, Renshaw, Benjamin, McGuire, Eccles.
Subs –Mudd, Allen, Langthorne, Innes, Teasdale.

Tow Law made the short journey to the Brewery Field, Spennymoor for this penultimate fixture of the season.
The Lawyers still have plenty to play for, pushing for a top 6 finish.
On 6 minutes, Bell went up field for a corner, but his shot sailed well over the bar.
Hollingsworth, who has been carrying an injury, was replaced on 13 minutes by Langthorne.
2 minutes later, Eccles fed the ball to Benjamin, who carried it around a defender & shot on goal. Lawson saved well.
3 minutes later, Waite was allowed freedom in front of goal as he headed a Spennymoor corner over the bar.
On 25 minutes, Clarke crossed, but again Waite headed wide of the target.
A couple of minutes later, ex-Lawter Carl Beasley became thye first player to be cautioned by Match Referee, Simon Clayton. Raw was replaced by Jarvis.
After 34 minutes, the home team were awarded a free kick, 20 wards from goal. Clarke shot low into the bottom corner.
Spennymoor (1) – (0) Tow Law Town.
A flurry of cautioned followed the restart, Bell & March for Tow Law. Clarke for Spennymoor.
The first half came to a close with little further action.
Half time; Spennymoor (1) – (0) Tow Law Town.
From the kick off for the second half, Storr found himself well placed 20 yards from goal, but dragged his shot wide of the target.
On 49 minutes, a free kick to the far post was headed over the bar by Bishop.
On 52 minutes, Bell was replaced by Teasdale.
On the hour, Eccles picked up the ball 25 yards out & hit a stunning shot which dipped wickedly over Lawson & into the net. A contender for goal of the season.
Spennymoor (1) – (1) Tow Law Town.
On 63 minutes, Dixon was cautioned.
3 minutes later, Spennymoor restored their lead. A cross to the far post again found Waite & this time he made no mistake, heading into the net.
Spennymoor (2) – (1) Tow Law Town.
On 72 minutes, Benjamin was replaced by Innes. 10 minutes later, Innes crossed dangerously into the box. Foster headed clear, only as far as Dixon, but he shot well over the bar.
With time running out, Norton cleared the ball almost the length of the field. McGuire collected the ball, but he also fired well over the bar & spennymoor held on to their lead.
Full time; Spennymoor (2) – (1) Tow Law Town.

Newcastle Benfield (1) vs (1) Tow Law, Tuesday 15th April 2008

Benfield – Grainger, Forsyth, Fuller, Fuller, Bangura, Doddswort, Lumsdon, Rasmussen, Anthony, Hamilton, Buzzeo (P), Atkinson.
Subs – Buzzeo (S), Riordan, Chapman, Watson, Chilton.

Tow Law – Norton, Dixon, Hollingsworth, Hutt, Bell, Gowland, McGuire, March, Benjamin, Renshaw, Eccles.
Subs –Sullivan, Allen, Wilkinson, Teasdale.

Tow Law made the journey to Sam Smith Park, competing against Newcastle Benfield for the second time in 4 days.
On 4 minutes, Lumsdon hung a corner right under the bar, which Norton did well to clear, pushing it over for a second corner.
On 8 minutes, Fuller put a left wing free kick to the back post, Buzzeo headed goalwards, but McGuire recovered to clear the danger.
2 minutes later, the Lawyers had their first serious effort on goal. A corner was cleared to Benjamin & his goalbound effort was scrambled away for a further corner, which Bell headed narrowly over the bar.
Tow Law upped their game from this point, Renshaw played Benjamin in on goal after 13 minutes, only for Grainger to pull off an excellent save.
A couple of minutes later, Eccles crossed & Grainger totally missed his punch. After a series of rebounds, the ball fell to Benjamin, but as he was falling, his shot drifted past the post.
Moments later, it was Norton’s turn to misjudge a cross. The ball fell to Bangura, but Hollingsworth got back to rescue the visitors.
After 23 minutes, Dixon fed the ball to Eccles, who quickly moved it on to Gowland to advance into the box. With the home defence out of the game, Gowland hit a low shot inside Grainger’s left hand post to give the Lawyers a lead.
Benfield (0) – (1) Tow Law Town.
Gowland could have added to his tally on 28 minutes, getting on the end of a cross from Benjamin, but heading the ball straight at Grainger.
Gowland picked up a raking 30 yard cross field ball from Hollingsworth to unleash another shot on the home goal, bringing a fine save from Grainger.
Despite a couple of attempts on goal by the home forwards, Tow Law went in at half time with a slender advantage.
Half time; Benfield (0) – (1) Tow Law Town.
With everything to play for, Tow Law were confident of revenging last Saturday’s home defeat, but Benfield came racing out of the blocks.
Tow Law were getting pushed back, becoming more reliant on breaks upfield, but it wasn’t until the 73rd minute that the home team created a clear chance. Atkinson found himself unmarked in front of goal, but could only direct his free header straight at Norton.
Benjamin headed an Eccles corner over the bar when well placed on 75 minutes.
On 80 minutes, Dixon lost possession in the Benfield half. The home team quickly exploited the space behind him, attacking down their left wing. A low cross was played into the near post & directed on goal. Norton did well to block & got a hand to Antony’s follow up, but couldn’t keep the ball out.
Benfield (1) – (1) Tow Law Town.
The last 10 minutes were a grandstand affair.
Teasdale replaced Gowland & shortly afterwards, the youngster played in McGuire to shoot on goal. Yet again, Grainger was in outstanding for, bringing another good save.
Right on full time, with Hamilton threatening another run on goal, Hutt was cautioned for a trip on the ex-Lawyers centre-forward & the game finished all square.
Full time; Benfield (1) – (1) Tow Law Town.

Tow Law (1) vs (2) Newcastle Benfield, Tuesday 12th April 2008

Tow Law – Norton, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Hutt, Bell, March, McGuire, Mudd, Benjamin, Wilkinson, Eccles.
Subs – Maughan, Allen, Teasdale, Sullivan, Shields.

Durham – Grainger, Doddsworth, Fuller, Bangura, Atkinson, Lumsdon, Rasmussen, Anthony, Hamilton, Graham, Marshall.
Subs – Buzzeo (P), Buzzeo (S), Riordan, Chapman, Watson.

Tow Law welcomed Newcastle Benfield to Ironworks Road for this Arngrove Northern League Division 1 fixture.
On 4 minutes, Atkinson had the first attempt on goal for the visitors, shooting just wide from 20 yards.
Both teams were equal to each other & neither team really threatened again until the 15th minute, Hamilton crossed from the byline, but Hutt cleared comfortably for the Lawyers.
On 24 minutes, Benjamin picked up the ball on the right & forced his way through the defence, into the visitors penalty box. Only a last ditch tackle from Bagura prevented Benjamin adding to his recent goal tally.
Benjamin played the corner to the front post, where Wilkinson & Eccles combined to set up March to shoot, bringing an excellent save from Grainger.
On 40 minutes, Wilkinson was played in behind the Benfield defence, shooting past Grainger with a low left foot drive to give the Lawyers the lead.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Newcastle Benfield.
With the first half drawing to a close, Benjamin picked the ball up on the right wing & accelerated past Fuller, who brought him down on the halfway line.
The ex-Tow Law player was harshly dismissed as the Referee deemed it to be a professional foul. Half time; Tow Law 1 – 0 Newcastle Benfield.
It would seem that Tow Law, with a numerical advantage, should go on to win the game, but things were about to change in the 2nd half.
On 50 minutes, Benfield had a right wing corner, which was swung into the danger area. With Norton coming to collect, Graham nipped in front of the home keeper to glance home an equaliser.
Tow Law 1 – 1 Newcastle Benfield.
Benfield were obviously boosted by this & 3 minutes laterRasmussen shot across Norton when well placed, but the ball went just past the post.
On 62 minutes, a right wing corner for the Lawyers was played in by March & headed home by Benjamin. Unfortunately, referee Paul stalker ruled the goal out for an infringement on Grainger.
Teasdale replaced Hollingsworth on 75 minutes & he was booked 10 minutes later.
Tow Law were finding it difficult to break down 10 man Benfield, who only left Hamilton up front.
On 89 minutes, Benfield cleared the ball up field. Gowland controlled it & played it to McGuire, who was immediately under pressure.
Hamilton stole the ball advanced up the pitch & shot past Norton, giving Benfield the 3 points.
Final score; Tow Law 1 – 2 Newcastle Benfield.

Tow Law (1) vs (0) Whitley Bay, Tuesday 8th April 2008

Tow Law – Norton, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Hutt, Bell, Mudd, McGuire, March, Teasdale, Eccles.
Subs – Dixon, Allen, Wilkinson, Sullivan, Shields.

Whitley Bay – McLean, Rowe, Minto, Smith, Coulson, Graham, Moore, Robson, Kerr, Chow, Robinson.
Subs – Picton, Livermore, Dugdale, Douglas, Bell.

Whitley Bay visited Ironworks Road, knowing that only a win would keep alive their championship hopes & attacked straight from the kick off. Gaining an early free kick, the ball was delivered into the danger zone. Norton cleared it to the edge of the box & the danger was cleared.
On 11 minutes, Eccles collected the ball & played in Benjamin, who crossed towards Teasdale. The young striker just failed to get his head to the ball.
4 minutes later, Eccles & Benjamin again combined. Eccles whipped in a left wing cross to the far post, Benjamin got in front of his marker & flashed a header past McLean.
Tow Law (1) – (0) Whitley Bay.
On 18 minutes, Eccles shot was deflected for a corner, which Benjamin swung right under the crossbar. McLean did well to punch the ball clear whilst under pressure.
After 21 minutes, Moore took on Hollingsworth & was tripped in the box. Match Referee, Paul Stalker had no hesitation in awarding a penalty to the visitors & Hollingsworth was booked for his protests.
Lee Kerr stepped up to take the kick, placing the ball low to Norton’s left, but the goalkeeper pulled off a brilliant save to maintain the Lawyers lead.
Tow Law went straight back on the attack. A free kick was delivered into Teasdale, around the penalty spot. He attempted a back heel, but the ball cleared the crossbar.
On 30 minutes, Bay’s forwards retained possession around the edge of the Tow Law box & eventually Kerr shot at goal, only to see Norton pull off another good save.
The Seasiders were now pushing for an equaliser & on 33 minutes, Chow flicked a corner goal wards, only to see it bounce to safety off the crossbar.
Benjamin was booked on 40 minutes for a foul in which he injured himself.
Mudd was also cautioned on 44 minutes, delaying the restart after a free kick was awarded to Whitley Bay.
Right on half time, Lawyers should have increased the lead. Teasdale outpaced the defence & squared to the unmarked Benjamin. He shot past McLean in the visitors goal, but failed to hit the target from 6 yards.
Half time; Tow Law (1) – (0) Whitley Bay.
At half time, Benjamin was replaced by Dixon.
On 52 minutes, Chow’s shot was deflected for a corner, which was headed over by Smith.
2 minutes later, Robinson unleashed a shot at the home goal, bringing a tremendous flying save from Norton.
On 58 minutes, Whitley Bay replaced Minto with Picton. Within a minute, Kerr had an opportunity from 20 yards, but blazed his shot over the bar.
On 66 minutes, Smith had an excellent opportunity to equalise, but put his free header wide from 6 yards.
The Lawyers again went straight upfield, Eccles held the ball & played in Gowland. His shot brought a fine save from McLean.
On 73 minutes, the visitors made a double substitution. Graham & Robinson were replaced by Dugdale & Bell.
Teasdale made a run towards goal. His shot was deflected for a corner, which the Bay defence managed to clear off the line.
Kerr had another chance on 79 minutes, shooting over the bar from 8 yards.
Tow Law held on to the lead, making 1 last substitution on 93 minutes. Sullivan replaced Hollingsworth.
Full time; Tow Law (1) – (0) Whitley Bay.

Tow Law (1) vs (2) Durham, Saturday 5th April 2008

Tow Law – Norton, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Bell, Hutt, Dixon, McGuire, March, Benjamin, Wilkinson, Eccles.
Subs – Mudd, Allen, Teasdale, Redfearn, Shields.

Durham – Caffry, Harrison, Capper, Dodds, Dixon, Smith, Toft, Graydon, Richardson, Johnston, English.
Subs – Davison, Smith, Morris, Farrell, Bowes.

Tow Law welcomed League leaders, Durham City to Ironworks Road for this Arngrove Northern League Division 1 fixture.
In the first minute, Wilkinson picked up the ball 30 yards from goal & fired just over Caffry’s crossbar.
With both sides evenly matched & looking to push forward, in the 9th minute a Lawyers’ free kick was whipped to the far post & Hollingsworth only just failed to connect with a header from close range.
Durham were awarded a free kick on the halfway line after 10 minutes, Graydon blasted the ball at March, who was booked for failing to retire 10 yards from the ball.
The visitors almost took the lead on 20 minutes. Hollingsworth failed to clear a corner & the ball fell to Graydon, who smashed the ball against Norton’s crossbar.
On 23 minutes, with a Lawyers’ attack breaking down, Durham broke quickly through Toft. The ball was fed to Dodds & his shot was deflected for a corner.
Eccles attacked down the left wing, beating 2 defenders on 31 minutes & delivering a wicked cross which Gowland only just failed to connect with.
Bell was booked on 33 minutes for a foul on Richardson.
Norton came to Tow Law’s rescue on 40 minutes, saving well as Johnston raced clear of the home defence.
Tow Law had a corner on 42 minutes, which was struck to the far post. Benjamin headed back across goal to Gowland. His shot was cleared off the line, with loud shouts from players & spectators alike for handball. The ball fell to Hutt, who smashed a shot against Caffry’s right hand post.
Half time; Tow Law (0) – (0) Durham City.
From the restart, Durham went straight onto the attack. Gaining a corner in the 46th minute, Norton was called upon to tip the ball over the bar. The 2nd corner found Harrison, but his shot was always rising & cleared the crossbar.
On 50 minutes, Benjamin broke clear of the Durham defence, attacking down the right wing, he whipped a cross into the danger area. Dixon intercepted the ball, turning it against his own post with Caffry wrong-footed.
Johnston picked up the ball 25 yards from goal, which Norton did very well to save, but could only parry the ball into the path of English. The ball was duly dispatched into the net, but the Assistant flagged the Durham forward offside.
Tow Law took the lead on 55 minutes, Caffry totally misjudged a right wing corner & the ball fell to Benjamin to fire home.
Tow Law (1) – (0) Durham City.
Within 3 minutes, however, parity was restored. Another right wing corner was hit to the far post, Johnston headed the ball back into the goalmouth area & Richardson was on hand to nod the ball past Norton.
Tow Law (1) – (1) Durham City.
The game was definitely end to end & after 62 minutes, Benjamin played in McGuire down the inside left channel. Caffry advanced from his line & McGuire lifted the ball over the goalkeeper, but unfortunately it also cleared the crossbar.
On 66 minutes, Gowland was replaced by Teasdale.
A mistake by March on 68 minutes almost let Johnston in, but Norton was on hand to save brilliantly.
Durham took the lead on 72 minutes in controversial fashion. Richardson broke clear on the right & shot from just outside the 6 yard box. He missed the target, but a collision between Hutt & the Durham forward resulted in Match referee, Tony Smith awarding a hotly disputed penalty to the visitors. Hutt was cautioned & Johnston scored from the spot, sending Norton the wrong way.
Tow Law (1) – (2) Durham City.
3 substitutions in the next 8 minutes saw Durham replace Toft, English & Graydon with Morris, Bowes & Smith. Mudd replaced Dixon for the Lawyers.
With the game drawing to a close, Tow Law were pressing for an equaliser. Eccles picked up the ball on the edge of the box & hitting his shot goalwards. The ball was blocked by Richardson, again with home appeals for a penalty ringing around the ground but dismissed by the Referee.
In added time, a scuffle broke out in the centre of the field, resulting in cautions for Eccles & Richardson. Tow Law were awarded a free kick, which Benjamin put into the box. The ball looped up & Caffry misjudged it allowing it to fall behind him into the net. The Referee signalled a goal, but then allowed himself to be overruled by his Assistant, flagging for a foul. To the dismay of the home side players & supporters, the goal was disallowed.
Full time; Tow Law (1) – (2) Durham City.

Tow Law (2) vs (1) Northallerton, Tuesday 1st April 2008

Tow Law – Norton, Dixon, Hollingsworth, Hutt, Bell, Gowland, McGuire, Wilkinson, Benjamin, March, Eccles.
Subs – Allen, Teasdale, Redfearn, Mudd, Renshaw.

Northallerton – Wolfe, Gustavson, Barker, Payne, Bettson, Earl, Douglas, Dixon, Holbrook, Hume, Desilva.
Subs – McQueeney, Dodsworth, Durance, Toman (C), Toman (A).

Tow Law welcomed Northallerton Town to Ironworks Road for this Arngrove Northern League Division 1 fixture, where the gale force wind was sure to be a factor in the result.
Northallerton won the toss, electing to kick into the teeth of the wind & immediately from the kick off, the Lawyers gained a right wing corner. Unfortunately, Benjamin didn’t take enough account of the strength of the wind & the ball swerved tamely behind the visitors’ goal.
The visitors were struggling to clear their lines & goalkeeper, Wolfe was taking an age to play his goal kicks. On 5 minutes, Match Referee Glen Hart warned him to speed things up, resulting in a heated exchange between the 2.
On 13 minutes, a long clearance out of the Tow Law half fell to McGuire, who ran clear of the Northallerton back 4 to slot the ball past Wolfe.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Northallerton.
5 minutes later, March tried his luck from outside the box, but the ball hit the crossbar & went behind for a goal kick.
Within a minute, Tow Law gained another corner. Wilkinson & March exchanged passes, before March hit a cross/shot into the top right corner of the net, greatly assisted by the wind.
Tow Law 2 – 0 Northallerton.
On 21 minutes, Norton in the Lawyers’ goal was finally called into action, saving well from Dixon’s 18 yard shot.
Tow Law pressed for the remainder of the first half, looking to increase their lead, but found great difficulty judging passes as the wind carried the ball down the field.
Half time: Tow Law 2 – 0 Northallerton.
Northallerton Manager, Andy Toman must have been reasonably happy to turn round with only a 2 goal deficit. It was now the visitors with the strong wind at their backs.
Within the first 5 minutes, they forced a number of free kicks deep into the Tow Law half, resulting in bookings for Hollingsworth & March. Fortunately, these didn’t cause too much trouble for the Lawyers’ rearguard.
On 52 minutes, Dixon again tried his luck for the visitors, bringing an outstanding save from Norton.
10 minutes later, Eccles made a good run down the Tow Law left, carrying the ball forward to shoot. Wolfe saved well. Eccles then crossed to Benjamin, but he shot wide.
On 66 minutes, the Tow Law defence mis-judged a ball from right to left & it ran through to Desilva. He played a cross/shot into the box, which Norton advanced to collect just as the wind took hold to loop it over his head into the net.
Tow Law 2 – 1 Northallerton.
On 75 minutes, Wilkinson & McGuire were replaced by Teasdale & Mudd.
Eccles, who had been subjected to some hard tackles, was fouled on 81 minutes, Payne going over the ball to connect with Eccles standing leg. With Eccles laid out on the pitch, looking like it could be a serious injury, Payne was cautioned.
Northallerton pressed forward, looking for a point to help in their relegation battle.
On 88 minutes, Teasdale played an inch perfect pass to Benjamin & he raced clear of the defence to expertly finish past Wolfe.
Tow Law 3 – 1 Northallerton.
There was still time for 1 last chance, Benjamin returning the complement to Teasdale, but the young striker shot just wide of the post. Final score: Tow Law 3 – 1 Northallerton.