Consett (2) v (0) Tow Law Town, Monday 27th August 2007

Consett – Platten, Gaffney, Ewart, Dickman, Piecha, Robson, Ormston, Brown, Moffat, Johnson, Wilkinson. Subs – Bramley, Clark, Curry, Robson, Turner.

Tow Law – Robinson, Hutt, Hollingsworth, Langthorne, Tobin, Renshaw, McGuire, Maughan, Gowland, Watling, Eccles. Subs – Ankers, Ford, Shields, Mudd, Vasey.

Tow Law visited Belle View, Consett for this early Bank Holiday game & started the game brightly, moving the ball around in midfield.
Consett soon settled into a pass & move system & began to impose themselves on the game. They came into the game in confident move, having scored a shed load of goals in their previous 2 games.
Tow Law defended well for most of the first half, but were hampered when Hollingsworth went off, suffering the effects of his leg injury sustained at Bedlington.
Without troubling Robinson in the Tow Law goal, Consett pushed forward, but right on half time, disaster struck for the Lawyers. Consett’s outside right was allowed to cut in across the edge of the 18 yard box & play the ball in towards the goal. After a few rebounds, the ball was partially cleared, but Brown controlled the ball 30 yards from goal & sent an unstoppable shot past Robinson & into the goal. Consett 1 -0 Tow Law.
The game just had time to restart before the Referee blew for half time.
Vasey & Forster obviously had words to saw to the Tow Law players at half time & they came out determined to take the game to Consett.
On 50 minutes, Eccles crossed a ball dangerously into the box, but Watling just failed to get the important touch. It still caused problems for Platten, who got the faintest of fingertip touches to divert it agonisingly past the upright.
Nothing came of the resulting corner.
Tow Law continued to search for an equaliser, but Watling & McGuire found themselves well harnessed by an organised Consett defence.
The longer the game continued, the more likely Consett were to hit the Lawyers on the break with their passing & running game. On 80 minutes, the game should have been over. Moffat was played in, with an open goal at his mercy, but the normally prolific scorer somehow put the ball over the bar from 5 yards. He was almost immediately substituted by Consett Manager, Kenny Lindoe. The game was finally settled on 88 minutes. Langthorne was carrying the ball out of defence, but his studs caught in the turf & the ball rolled to Johnson, who passed into the net past Robinson.
A 2-0 defeat to the League’s highest scorers & a lot of peoples tip for the title. With a bit more luck it could have been so different.

Bedlington Town (1) v (0) Tow Law Town, Saturday 25th August 2007

Bedlington – Dryden, Watson, Lane, Attwell, Carr, Latimer, Huntley, Lawson, Benjamin, Hamilton, Waters. Subs – McGonigal, Eastway, Hanlon, Marshall, O’Neill.

Tow Law – Robinson, Hutt, Hollingswoth, Langthorne, Tobin, Renshaw, Gowland, Mudd, McGuire, Watling, Eccles. Subs – Ankers, Mitton, Ford, Maughan, Riches.

Tow Law visited Bedlington Terriers, managed by our former Assistant, Tom Wade & including 3 ex-Lawyers players, Rob Huntley, Lee Hamilton & Derek Waters.
Bedlington, kicking with the breeze, started brightly, but Tow Law soon settled into their game. After 6 minutes, Latimer had a shot, but pulled it wide of Robinson’s right hand post.
Immediately, Tow Law attacked the Bedlington goal, an exchange of passes in midfield releasing Peter Watling on the left to cut inside & release a fierce drive on goal that was well beaten away by Dryden.
In a fairly even first half, neither team dominated, but it was Tow Law who showed the greater desire to attack. Bedlington were happy to sit back & attack on the break.
On 29 minutes, Bedlington’s tactics almost paid off. In an old fashioned goalmouth scramble, the Lawyers defence blocked 4 shots before finally clearing the ball & 2 minutes later, Benjamin headed the ball past Robinson into the net, only to be ruled offside.
5 minutes later, Tow Law attacked down the right. Hutt drilled in a cross which was headed against the bar by a Bedlington defender, with Dryden stranded. Unfortunately, from the 4 consecutive corners that followed, Tow Law couldn’t take advantage.
Half-time arrived with the score level at 0-0.
Tow Law were more imposing in the second half, kicking with the wind & passing the ball efficiently.
On 50 minutes, Watling again received the ball on the left & cut inside the defender, shooting low towards goal. Dryden got down well to his right to save.
5 minutes later, Renshaw picked the ball up & drove forward from midfield, before unleashing a 30 yard shot that cleared the Bedlington bar by a whisker.
Again, Bedlington were reduced to breakaway attacks, but ex-lawyer, Hamilton looked dangerous.
Tow Law continued pushing forward, but when they did get behind the Bedlington defence, goalkeeper Dryden was in excellent form.
On 75 minutes, Watling should have broken the deadlock. A mistake in the Bedlington defence left him clear on goal. Watling decided to lob the advancing Dryden, but the ball went past the left hand post.
Disaster struck 2 minutes later, when the Tow Law defence allowed a forward to run in behind them. Robinson advanced to partially block the shot, but the ball rebounded to Hamilton, who had a free header into the net. Bedlington 1 – Tow Law.
Hollingsworth sustained a leg injury & was replaced by Michael Ford.
With his first touch, Ford allowed a Gowland cross to drop over his shoulder, but his right foot volley cleared the Bedlington bar by inches.
Tow Law threw everything at Bedlington in search of an equaliser, leaving gaps at the back. Hamilton found himself clear on goal, but Robinson saved well at his feet as he tried to round the goalkeeper.
The game ended with a 1-0 victory for Bedlington & the Tow Law contingent wondering how we could possibly have lost a game that we dominated.

Hebburn Town (1) v (3) Tow Law Town, Saturday 18th August 2007

Tow Law – Robinson, Gowland, Ankers, Mudd, Tobin, Hutt, Craggs, Langthorne, Tate, Watling, Eccles Subs- Mitton, Thompson, Ford, Hollingsworth, Riches

Hebburn – Rogers, Handy, Jacobs, Myers, Donaghy, Patterson, Younger, Covell, McCartney, Hanson, Dunn. Subs- Robinson, Pearson, Dixon, Donaghy.

Tow Law visited Hebburn Town for this FA Cup, extra Preliminary round tie.
Hebburn kicked off the fixture & were quickly on the back foot as Tow Law adopted an upbeat passing game.
After 8 minutes, Tow Law were awarded a free kick, 25 yards out. Tate swerved the ball around the Hebburn wall, but Rogers saved well at the foot of his left hand post.
2 minutes later, Hebburn broke forward & were awarded a free kick after a foul by Hutt, for which he received the first caution of the game. The resulting shot was well over the bar.
On 25 minutes, a late tackle on Watling resulted in an Eccles free kick to the far post. Unfortunately, no Tow Law player was able to connect with the ball, which went out for a goal kick.
Tow Law continued to cause problems for the home team & on 30 minutes Langthorne shot over the home goal. The Referee adjudged that a defender was guilty of a late tackle & awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal.
Tate, having had an earlier sighter, shot low into the left hand corner of the goal to put the Lawyers deservedly 1 up.
On 34 minutes, the lively Watling was fed in on goal by Tate, his shot going inches past the post.
Tow Law almost came unstuck on 42 minutes, Ankers passing the ball to Robinson in the Tow Law goal. nSurprisingly, the keeper elected to return the pass, only to present the ball at the feet of a Hebburn forward. His shot agonisingly missed by fractions, but Robinson was deemed to have fouled him after the shot. Fortunately, the resulting penalty hit the post.
The Lawyers still had time for another 2 attacks. Eccles cleverly shot past Rogers in the home goal, but a Hebburn defender performed heroics to clear the ball of the line. Moments later, Eccles again shot towards goal, missing the far post by a whisker & half time arrived with the Lawyers leading 1-0.

The second half kicked off & Hebburn were far quicker out of the blocks.
On 51 minutes, their ambition was rewarded as the Tow Law defence hesitated, allowing the ball to bounce inside to 6 yard box. The resulting shot gave Robinson no chance & the scores were equalised at 1-1.
On 55 minutes, Hollingsworth came on to make his Tow Law debut, replacing Ankers at left back.
3 minutes later, Tate received the ball on the left wing, before cutting inside towards the edge of the box & firing into the bottom corner of the net. 2-1 in favour of Tow Law.
Hebburn had to press forward in search of a goal & left gaps at the back. Tate & watling were creating lots of space & after 65 minutes, Tate fed Watling in on goal. Unfortunately, Watling’s shot was the wrong side of the upright.
On 68 minutes, Tate attempted an outrageous lob over the goalkeeper, only to see it hit the bar.
2 minutes later, Tate & Watling were rewarded. Tate fed into Watling’s feet & he calmly slotted the ball home to give Tow Law a 3-1 lead.
On 73 minutes, with Hebburn pushing forward, Tate found himself through on goal, only to see his 25 yard chip go just past the left hand post.
Almost immedietly, Hebburn pressed forward & the resulting goalmouth scramble saw a shot blazed over the bar.
On 81 minutes, Tate passed out to Eccles, wide on the left. His pinpoint cross picked out Mudd running forward. Mudd’s first time shot was brilliantly saved by Rogers in the home goal.
On 83 minutes, Tate was replaced by Thompson.
On 89 minutes, Craggs found himself 1 on 1 with Rogers. Craggs elected to shoot & Rogers saved well. A square ball to Thompson would have put the seal on the game.
In added time, Ford replaced Watling.
The game ended with a victory for the Lawyers 3-1.

Tow Law 1-5 Washington, Tuesday 14th August 2007

Tow Law Town – Robinson, Mitton, Ankers, Mudd, Tobin, Hutt, McGuire, Langthorne, Tate, Watling, Eccles. Subs – Gowland, Craggs, Thompson Riches, Vasey.

Washington – Heiniger, Jones, Davison, Reay, Anderson, Preston, McBryde, Houlahan, Dixon, Dibie, Lee. Subs – Smart, Moat, Burns, Knowlson, Starford.

Tow Law started their home league programme at Ironworks Road against newly promoted Washington FC.
The first half commenced with Tow Law kicking towards the Clubhouse end & they should have taken an early lead when Richard Langthorne headed wide from a Mark Eccles cross.
On 13 minutes, Washington were awarded a free kick 20 yards out, but the resulting shot was pulled wide past Michael Robinson’s right hand post.
5 minutes later, Washington scored, Dibie breaking down the left, his cross was moved on to McBryde at the back post to sidefoot past the diving Robinson.
Tow Law struck back quickly & 2 minutes later, Eccles swung a free kick into the Washington goal area. Steve Tobin headed goalwards, but his attempt was blocked. In the resulting scramble, the ball fell at Tobin’s feet & he calmly slotted home the equaliser.
The rest of the first half was played out without much further incident.
The second half started with little warning of what was to follow.
On 55 minutes, Houlahan picked the ball up in midfield & played an inch perfect pass into the feet of Lee, who scored low into the near post, despite the efforts of Robinson.
2 minutes later, Dibie again broke down the left wing & he played the ball into the near post, where Dixon placed an unstoppable shot into the Lawyer’s net, to increase Washington’s lead.
On 60 minutes, Moat received the ball in the box with his back to goal, but managed to turn & shoot past Robinson, 1-4 to Washington.
On 65 minutes, further salt was rubbed in Tow Law wounds when Houlahan crashed another unstoppable shot into the net from 15 yards. 1-5.
No further score was added during the remainder of the game, to leave Tow Law in 13th place after 2 games.
Vasey & Forster will be looking for a much better display on Saturday, when Tow Law visit Hebburn in The EON sponsored FA Cup.

Northallerton Town 1-3 Tow Law, Saturday 11th August 2007

Northallerton – Clements, Walker, Ward, Blythway, Newall, Hodgson, Douglas, Hinton, Hume, Blythway, Draper. Subs – Earl, Holbrook, Toman, Butterworth, Lenaghan.

Tow Law – Robinson, Mitton, Ankers, Mudd, Tobin, Hutt, Craggs, Renshaw, McGuire, Watling, Eccles. Subs – Gowland, Thompson, Langthorne, Shields, Vasey.

A 2 minute silence was impeccably held, prior to kick off as a mark of respect for League Official Mike Armitage who sadly died earlier in the week after a long fight against illness.
Northallerton kicked off the ANL Division 1 fixture, but it was Tow Law who quickly got into their stride.
After only 2 minutes, Eccles received the ball on the left wing, taking on the full back & finding his way to the by-line. The ball was cut back to Watling, who rolled the ball I at the far post after finding space on the 6 yard line. 1-0 to Tow Law & a great start to the new season.
Northallerton reacted positively from the early set back & began to push forward themselves.
On 6 minutes, Renshaw was penalised for a foul & Bywater drilled the resulting free kick low past Robinson’s right hand to equalise.
Northallerton 1 Tow Law 1.
2 minutes later, Ankers delivered a left wing free kick into the box, Mudd headed onto Craggs coming in at the back post, but his shot rose over the bar.
On 12 minutes, Eccles again crossed into the 6 yard box for Watling to put the ball in the net, but the Assistant ruled him offside. Even a few Northallerton supporters were unsure about that one.
After 15 minutes, Draper limped off, being replaced by Earl in the Northallerton ranks.
On 21 minutes, as Hutt cleared the ball up field, only to be challenged late by Hume, who was shown a yellow card.
After 35 minutes, the ball was punted into the Tow Law area, with the resulting scramble coming to nothing as a Northallerton forward blasted over the bar from close range. No further incident took place as half time arrived with the score 1-1.
Tow Law restarted the second half & after 2 minutes, McGuire fed a ball through to Craggs, running behind the Northallerton defence. Unfortunately, Craggs couldn’t keep his feet & the ball rolled out of play.
Northallerton went straight up field & were awarded a left wing free kick, which Hume headed past Robinson’s left hand post.
A minute later, Ankers became Tow Law’s first player to receive a caution when he committed a foul wide on the left touchline. Northallerton’s resulting free kick did not trouble the Lawyers’ defence.
Tow Law then pushed forward, the ball being worked through midfield to Craggs on the edge of Northallerton’s penalty area. Craggs shot from 20 yards, causing Clement in goal to parry. Watling followed up & Clement again saved well, but an Assistant adjudged Watling to be offside.
On 65 minutes Ankers was replaced by Gowland.
5 minutes later, Tow Law were awarded a corner. Eccles delivered to the far post & Tobin headed home. 2-1 to Tow Law.
Craggs was replaced by Langthorne.
Again, Northallerton responded well to the setback of conceding a goal, forcing Robinson into a string of excellent saves to preserve the Tow Law lead. The best of the bunch was a 30 yard pile driver from Hinton, which Robinson acrobatically pushed over the bar.
Renshaw became Tow Law’s second player to be cautioned on 78 minutes, adjudged to have jumped for an opponent instead of the ball. Shortly after this Renshaw was replaced by Thompson.
On 80 minutes, Langthorne was very harshly red-carded. The ball broke in midfield & a Northallerton player slid in 2 footed towards Langthorne, who stayed on his feet. The resulting clash left the Northallerton player injured on the floor & Langthorne dismissed by the Referee. This appeared to be unjust; both players should have received the same punishment, or no punishment.
Tow Law were motivated by the controversy & soon made the game safe.
Again, Eccles was at the heart of things, his left wing cross was headed goal bound by McGuire, but well saved by Clement in the Northallerton goal. He couldn’t hold the ball & Thompson headed in the rebound. 3-1 to Tow Law.
Northallerton still had time to cause panic in front of the Tow Law goal, but couldn’t convert the chance. Again, the ball was blasted over the bar from close range.
The game ended with a 3-1 win, on the road, for the Lawyers. We have seen in pre-season that we can play better than this, but it’s still the start that Mickey & The Doc wanted.