Tow Law (0) vs (1) Jarrow Roofing (League Cup, 3rd Rounds)28th November 2007

Tow Law – Allen, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Mudd, Hutt, Langthorne, McGuire, Walker, Wilkinson, Renshaw, Eccles.
Subs – Watling, Maughan, Stewart, Teasdale, Riches.

Jarrow – Frater, Brown, Lamb, Graitham, Pendergood, Catto, Jenkins, Hodgson, Archer, Hassan, Hutchinson.
Subs – Smith, Gibson, Flood, Thompson.

Tow Law welcomed Jarrow Roofing to a wet & blustery Ironworks Road for this League Cup, 3rd round fixture.
As early as the 1st minute, Catto fed in Archer for the visitors, but the shot drifted wide.
The Roofers were full of running, causing the home midfield & defence to retreat on numerous occasions & cutting off any supply to Tow Law forwards, Wilkinson & renshaw.
On 9 minutes, Eccles crossed to Renshaw, but his header went wide & 2 minutes later, the same player was foiled by the Jarrow defence after a break out down the left wing.
On 15 minutes, Wilkinson advanced towards goal, but Frater pulled off a good save to deny the Tow Law marksman.
On 29 minutes, Hollingsworth & Hutt failed to communicate, leaving the ball to each other. Archer took advantage to run clear on goal, bringing an excellent save from Allen. Archer’s follow up was cleared off the line by Langthorne.
On 32 minutes, following a minor spat in the middle of the pitch, Renshaw & Graitham were booked by match Referee, Mr McDonough.
After 36 minutes, Renshaw found space on the right wing & played a superb ball behind the Jarrow defence, perfectly into the stride of Wilkinson. He advanced & slid the ball past Frater, only to see it strike the foot of the post & roll to safety.
On 40 minutes, Hassan broke clear of the home defence. Allen dashed from his goal to make an excellent block.
Half-time: Tow Law 0 – 0 Jarrow Roofing.
The 2nd half was only 5 minutes old when Jenkins shot from distance to bring a tremendous save from Allen, who pushed the ball clear for a Jarrow corner.
Jarrow were pushing forward at every opportunity, still full of running. On 62 minutes, Catto’s free kick was cleared by Gavin Mudd.
2 minutes later, Renshaw was harshly judged to have fouled outside the home penalty area. Archer stepped up to shoot from 20 yards, over the wall & into the roof of the net.
Tow Law 0 – 1 Jarrow Roofing.
On 68 minutes, Watling replaced McGuire.
Tow Law pushed on in search of an equaliser, leaving them open to breaks by the visitors.
On 79 minutes, Wilkinson’s corner was punched clear by Frater. Teasdale replaced Walker.
On 83 minutes, Jarrow almost doubled their lead, only to be denied again by the impressive Allen in the home goal.
Tempers began to flare towards the end, Roofing holding the ball in the corner & Watling being booked for a comment made to the Referee.
There was still time for The Lawyers to mount 1 final attempt to get back into the game, Wilkinson advancing to the by-line before being unceremoniously dumped on the ground. Every single home player & most of the crowd appealed for a penalty, but appeared speechless when Mr McDonough waved the game on.
The equaliser was not forthcoming & Tow Law were left to rue missed opportunities.
Final Score: Tow Law 0 – 0 Jarrow Roofing.

Tow Law (1) vs (0) Bedlington Terriers, Saturday 10th November 2007

Tow Law – Allen, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Langthorne, Hutt, March, Renshaw, Walker, Wilkinson, Innes, Eccles.
Subs – Watling, Maughan, McGuire, Vasey, Redfearn.

Bedlington – Dryden, McGonagall, P. Hamilton, Kennelly, Attwell, Waters, Latimer, Lowther, Benjamin, L. Hamilton, Lawson.
Subs – Huntley, Watson, Scott, Kitchin, McFarlane.

A Bedlington squad, containing 4 ex-Lawyers visited Ironworks Road for this Arngrove Northern League division 1 fixture.
As early as the 3rd minute, Benjamin blasted a 20 yard free kick over the home goal & on 7 minutes, former Tow Law player Waters shot was comfortably saved by Allen.
A minute later another former Lawyer, Lee Hamilton had a shot saved by Allen.
The visitors had set their stall out to frustrate Tow Law’s passing game by closing the ball down. Eccles in particular was subjected to some solid challenges, leaving him injured on 2 occasions early in the game.
In the 10th minute, it was March who was the first player to be cautioned. Making his debut & keen to impress his new Manager, he jumped to win a header on the halfway line. The referee adjudged that he had used his arm as leverage & the caught Lowther on the head.
On 18 minutes, Attwell rose at the near post to head a corner just over the bar.
After 26 minutes, Eccles played Wilkinson into Bedlington’s penalty area, but the striker, not realising how much time he had, shot tamely into Dryden’s arms.
Shortly after, the same 2 players combined in almost identical fashion, but again Wilkinson failed to get a good connection to direct the ball goal bound.
On 33 minutes, Walker’s shot from distance was deflected for a corner, which Eccles crossed accurately, only for Hollingsworth to head inches over the bar.
In stoppage time, Bedlington broke out of defence at speed, only for Latimer to blast over the bar from close range.
Half time: Tow Law 0 – 0 Bedlington Terriers.
Kicking towards the Clubhouse, Tow Law started the 2nd half brightly & on 50 minutes, Wilkinson’s shot was well saved by Dryden. The ball ran back to Wilkinson & he calmly slotted into the empty net.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Bedlington Terriers.
3 minutes later, Innes almost extended Tow Law’s lead, fed in by March, his shot was well saved by Dryden.
2 minutes later, Innes headed wide from a good position in front of goal.
On 63 minutes, Bedlington introduced another ex-Lawyer to the game, Huntley replacing Lawson.
On 69 minutes, Renshaw laid the ball back to March on the 18 yard line, but he was unluckly not to mark his debut with a goal, his shot going fractionally wide of Dryden’s left hand post.
On 75 minutes, Eccles got behind Bedlington’s defence & accurately crossed to Innes, who blasted over the bar from 12 yards.
On 79 minutes, Wilkinson burst towards the goal, but was brought down right on the edge of the box. Langthorne blasted the resulting free kick over the bar.
Bedlington were unable to get back into the game & Tow Law held onto their well deserved victory, moving them into 3rd place in the League.
Full time: Tow Law 1 – 0 Bedlington Terriers.

Chester-le-Street (1) vs (1) Tow Law, Saturday 10th November 2007

Chester-le-Street – Carmichael, Donaldson, Wake, Gilhespy, Armstrong, MacIntosh, Anderson, Cuthbertson, Emmerson, Bowes, Draper.
Subs – Wightman, March, Healer, Cook, Davison.

Tow Law – Riches, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Mudd, Walker, Hutt, Renshaw, McGuire, Wilkinson, Innes, Eccles.
Subs – Watling, Maughan, Redfearn, Langthorne, Vasey.

Tow Law visited Chester Moor for the 2nd time this season, hoping to repeat their early season cup victory.
The Lawyers started brightly, Hollingsworth’s long throw on 2 minutes was flicked on by Innes to Wilkinson, who could only shoot at the home keeper.
On 5 minutes, Eccles swung a corner right under the Chester bar, only for Carmichael to punch clear.
2 minutes later, the move was repeated, but this time a free kick was awarded as the keeper was impeded.
On 18 minutes, Wilkinson attempted a quick free kick from 20 yards out, but the home defensive wall deflected the ball for a corner as Carmichael scrambled across his line.
On 23 minutes, Chester broke out of defence & Bowes shot straight at Riches in the Lawyers’ goal. His quick release freed Eccles to attack the home defence, but Cuthbertson easily collected the shot.
On 36 minutes, Eccles shot come cross drifted just wide of the far post, with neither Innes or Wilkinson able to put the finishing touch on the ball.
On 40 minutes, Walker sold Hutt short with a pass, allowing Emmerson to race clear. Riches advanced from his area & got enough on the ball to stop the ex-Lawyer from scoring.
On 44 minutes, Eccles free kick from 25 yards shaved the top of the crossbar.
Half Time: Chester-le-Street 0 – 0 Tow Law.
The 2nd half was very much on a par with the 1st, neither side creating clear cut chances & stoppages aplenty from the whistle of match referee, Jackie Traynor. This caused much frustration for players & spectators alike.
On 50 minutes, Renshaw tried a speculative attempt from fully 45 yards, but his shot drifted over the bar.
Having seen this, Emmerson tried the same a minute later, with the same result.
On 67 minutes Chester finally got the ball past Riches, only for Gowland to clear off the line.
Emmerson & Bowes were replaced by Wightman & Healer.
On 68 minutes, Eccles drifted in at the far post to head McGuires cross just wide.
Controversy reared it’s head on 75 minutes, Renshaw challenged Wightman in the Tow Law area. The Chester substitute went to ground & Mr traynor signalled a penalty, even though he was 35 yards behind play. To further compound things, deeming him to be last man, the Referee sent off Renshaw & booked Eccles for dissent.
Cuthbertson scored the penalty.
Chester-le-Street 1 – 0 Tow Law.
Watling replace McGuire in an ambitious substitution for Tow Law.
On 81 minutes, Riches attempted a quick free kick, the ball blasting into Wightman who had not retreated. The Assistant spoke to the Referee & Riches was booked.
On 84 minutes, Redfearn replaced Walker.
Chester believed they had secured the points on 86 minutes, but the Assistant ruled a goal to be offside.
On 90 minutes, Eccles corner found Wilkinson, but Cuthbertson pulled off a good save.
Further controversy was to follow, with the home supporters calling on the Referee to whistle for full time.
On 96 minutes, Gowland advanced up the right wing to the by-line, Wake came in to challenge, but clearly didn’t get the ball. The Referee awarded a corner & whilst the home team argued, the Assistant spoke to Mr Traynor. The Lawyers were awarded a last gasp lifeline penalty which Eccles calmly scored.
Chester-le-Street 1 – 1 Tow Law.
Carmichael was booked for dissent.
A further 3 minutes of added time was played out, with Redfearn being harshly booked for a ball winning challenge in front of the home dugout.
A scrappy game, with both teams disgruntled by the end result & some of the Referee’s decisions.
Full Time: Chester-le-Street 1 – 1 Tow Law.

Consett (2) vs (4) Tow Law, Wedensday 7th November 2007

Consett – Platten, Story, Ewart, Coulthard, Gaffney, Robson, Patterson, Brown, Moffat, Johnson, Pounder.
Subs – Clark, Turns, Curry, Hagan, Robson.

Tow Law – Riches, Gowland, Hollingsworth, Mudd, Walker, Hutt, Renshaw, McGuire, Wilkinson, Innes, Eccles.
Subs – Watling, Teasdale, Maughan, Allen, Redfearn.

Tow Law visited Belle Vue for this Durham County Cup, last 16 fixture, looking for revenge for their early season league defeat at the same venue.
On 4 minutes, Consett were awarded a corner which was taken by Patterson. The ball fell to ex-Lawyer, Coulthard who shot over the bar from 12 yards.
2 minutes later, Tow Law mounted their first serious attack, Eccles switching play from left to right to find McGuire. His cross was controlled by Wilkinson, who’s shot was blocked for a corner. Eccles took the corner & Wilkinson shot over the bar from the edge of the box.
On 11 minutes Patterson won possession from a Tow Law throw & played Moffat in on the Consett left. The centre forward found himself in space inside the penalty area & side footed past Riches to give Consett an early lead.
Consett 1 – 0 Tow Law.
Within 2 minutes, Tow Law almost drew level from a corner, but the ball was cleared by the home defence.
On 18 minutes, McGuire found space on the right wing & crossed accurately to the far post. Eccles found himself totally unmarked to head the equaliser past the exposed Platten.
Consett 1 – 1 Tow Law.
Consett set about the task of restoring their lead. On 25 minutes Moffat had a shot well blocked by Renshaw, the ball breaking to Gowland who was able to clear it up field.
Tow Law were also looking for goals, Eccles & Innes going close 3 times within the space of 7 minutes.
On 37 minutes, Brown broke away for Consett, crossing dangerously into the box, but Gowland cleared the ball for a corner.
On 39 minutes, a Coinsett player attempted an outrageous back pass from the halfway line to Platten. The ball dropped out of the sky on the edge of the box, Eccles challenged the outrushing goalkeeper, taking the ball around him & retaining his composure to slot the ball past 2 defenders on the goal line, giving Tow Law a deserved lead.
Consett 1 – 2 Tow Law.
On 44 minutes, Renshaw was harshly booked for handball.
Half time: Consett 1 – 2 Tow Law.
It didn’t take Consett long to restore parity in the second half. On 48 minutes, Brown played in Moffat & he fired home an equaliser, low past Riches.
Consett 2 – 2 Tow Law.
Consett pushed forward, looking to press their home advantage. Riches expertly tipped over a 20 yard effort from Brown on 51 minutes & 2 minutes later, Walker headed a free kick clear. On 59 minutes, Wilkinson held the ball on the right wing & rolled it into Gowland’s path. His shot cleared the crossbar.
On 62 minutes, Eccles played a long ball behind Coulthard. Wilkinson timed his run, to stay onside, outstripped the Consett defender & lifted the ball over the advancing Platten to score Tow Law’s 3rd goal.
Consett 2 – 3 Tow Law.
Things got even better for the Lawyers on 79 minutes. Innes shot was blocked & gathered by Platten. The goalkeeper tried to release Ewart with a quick throw, but the ball hit the defender’s back & fell to Kraig Wilkinson, who wasted no time in unleashing a 25 yard thunderbolt past Platten.
Consett 2 – 4 Tow Law.
On 82 minutes, Walker was unlucky, his right wing free kick striking the bar with Platten stranded.
Consett were unable to get back into the game. The Lawyers saw their way through to a very well deserved victory & progressed into the last 8 of the Durham County Cup.
Full time: Consett 2 – 4 Tow Law.

Tow Law (1) vs (2) Morpeth, Saturday 3rd November 2007

Tow Law – Riches, Hutt, Hollingsworth, Watling, Tobin, Mudd, Renshaw, Gowland, Wilkinson, Walker, Eccles.
Subs – McGuire, Shields, Maughan, Innes, Allen.

Morpeth – Poskett, Phillipson, Bell, Warwick, Hall, Wilary, Rokocinski, Herron, Young, Halambicc, Haxon.
Subs – Walmsley, Grant, Henderson, Nickalls, Mullen.

Morpeth Town visited Ironworks Road, hoping to bring to an end Tow Law’s impressive unbeaten run.
On 4 minutes, Haxon shot from 35 yards, bringing a good save from Riches in the home goal. Within a minute, Tobin lost a header & the ball fell to Young, but he shot well wide.
On 9 minutes, Hall concede an un-necessary free kick in the left corner. Eccles crossed the ball, which fell at Watling’s feet for the young striker to crash the ball into the roof of the net.
Tow Law 1 – 0 Morpeth.
On 12 minutes, Eccles again crossed with accuracy, Hollingsworth glancing his header just wide of Poskett’s goal.
On 16 minutes, Walker showed his frustration at a Referee’s decision & kicked the corner flag out. He was promptly cautioned by Referee, Paul Brown.
On 20 minutes, Eccles again crossed dangerously into the box, but none of the forwards could get a vital touch.
On 28 minutes, Morpeth launched a sustained assault on the home defence, which resolutely held firm.
On 38 minutes, Phillipson crossed to the far post. Young was unable to capitalise, heading just wide.
2 minutes later, Rakocinski’s corner was headed wide by Wilary.
Half Time: Tow Law 1 – 0 Morpeth.
The second half kicked off & Kraig Wilkinson quickly won possession. He set up Mark Eccles to run on goal, but his goal attempt was turned away for a corner.
On 53 minutes, Phillipson shot from distance for the Visitors, bringing a good save from Riches.
On 58 minutes, Riches long clearance was chased by Watling, who forced a mistake from Poskett. The ball fell to Wilkinson, 35 yards from goal, but his lofted attempt fell just over the bar.
On 60 minutes, Morpeth made 2 changes. Henderson & Grant replaced Rakocinski & Haxon.
On 65 minutes, the Lawyers’ defence failed to deal with a cross. The ball fell to Henderson & he made no mistake from close range.
Tow Law 1 – 1 Morpeth.
Within 2 minutes, the home defence were again made to pay for their inability to deal with a cross. This time, Young was on hand at the far post to bundle the ball home from close range at the second attempt.
Tow Law 1 – 2 Morpeth.
Tow Law now had to push forward looking for an equaliser. On 85 minutes, Hollingsworth’s long throw was headed clear by Hall. Eccles shot blazed over the bar from 25 yards.
On 86 minutes, Innes replaced Watling.
On 89 minutes, Eccles free kick was put dangerously into the Morpeth goalmouth. After a scramble, in which Poskett made 2 good saves & the ball was cleared off the line, the ball was cleared.
In added time, yet another Eccles free kick was headed back across goal by Hutt. Unfortunately, Wilkinson couldn’t get over the ball & his headed attempt went over the bar.
Full Time: Tow Law 1 – 2 Morpeth.
Tow Law’s recent unbeaten run came to an end, but Michael Vasey & Graeme Forster will be looking for a good reaction from the squad to return to winning ways.