Arngrove Northern League

08 September 2007

But for Butler ….

by Ken Milgate

Shildon 1
Moore 4

Durham City 2
Butler 50
Morris 66

…. City might have surrendered their unbeaten record with a disappointingly inept first-half display; as early as half time Jonathan Butler was the leading contender for City’s man-of-the-match, a selection he underlined in the second half with a goal and the pass for the winner.

Shildon harassed City from the first whistle and were determined not to let their opponents settle into any pattern of play.  The hesitancy of the opening minutes were compounded when Stuart Niven floated over a free-kick which Daniel Moore headed into the goal – much to City’s astonishment as John Mohan had called for the ball but failed to come and collect.

An Andy Bowes header from a Keith Graydon corner on the quarter hour was the nearest City got to an effort on target before they survived three close shaves in quick succession: Niven’s header from an Andrew Howarth free-kick looked all over a goal before it landed on the roof of the net; Adam Emson’s shot-on-the-turn just cleared the crossbar and Tyson Masters had the goal at his mercy but shot wide.

In contrast, City’s play was a ragbag of aimless passing and heading as they declined to play the simple ball via midfield, opting instead to hoof the ball anywhere.

On 37minutes the ultra-quiet Tommy English hit a low first-time drive past the post after a Lewis Dodds shot had been blocked.  That effort apart, City should have been out for the count at halfl-time.

English went close again on 49minutes after receiving a gem of a ball from Calvin Smith, but it took the calm presence of mind of Butler to put City back in the game with a right-foot drive after the home defence had failed to clear their lines.

Masters missed a sitter on 55minutes as both sides were finding the game a frustrating battle, only the deaf missing out on language part and parcel of a Gordon Ramsay kitchen.

Stephen Morris and Andy Appleby replaced the ineffective English and battle-scarred Graydon, both making their presence felt: Appleby chased the ball like a man possessed and Morris it was who turned Butler’s right-wing cross past Andrew Spence.

Fortunate to be in front having survived a tortuous first forty-five minutes, City improved and Stephen Harrison forced Spence into a stunning save, the first of the match for either keeper, from a powerful left-foot shot from close range.

As Shildon’s game fell away, City registered the last two efforts on goal, Appley being denied by Spence’s legs and Craig Price shooting wide of the post.

Shildon did not deserve to lose but have only themselves to blame for not taking their chances; conversely, City rode their luck and took their fewer chances well.  Such is the nature of football.

 
Shildon – Spence, Howarth, Whensley, Hall (Grayson 75), Christopher Mason, Everitt, Cowan, Moore, Masters, Niven (Craig Mason 88), Emson (Lowden 78)

Durham City – Mohan, Harrison, Capper, Dodds, Bowes, Smith (R), Butler (Price 81), Smith (C), Farrell, Graydon (Appleby 65), English (Morris 63)

Subs not used – Connell, Chapman