Arngrove Northern League
29 September 2007

City’s bench robs Celtic

by Ken Milgate

West Allotment Celtic 1
Hay 35

Durham City 2
Farrell 82
Richardson 90+

City have their three substitutes to thank for three unlikely points with a ragged-turned-rugged performance that allowed the Citizens to shamefacedly steal victory deep into stoppage time and, in so doing, deny their hosts at least a share of the spoils for their consistent hard work.

A promising move in the fourth minute might have produced an early lead for City, but Aiden Ames got down smartly to Jamie Clarke’s aimed drive for the bottom corner.

The game then ebbed and flowed with precious little purposeful football until Tommy English drove the ball across the goalmouth without anyone establishing contact.

Keith Douglas forced John Mohan into a laboured save on 24minutes, but the keeper had to show sharper reflexes to deal with a Ben Dawson effort two minutes later.

City failed to see any warning in these two attempts on goal and almost paid for their nonchalance on the half hour when Alex Houlsby was allowed a long run on goal before shooting high over the bar.

The attacks inspired Celtic and on 35minutes they took the lead after City’s defence had dillied and dallied, allowing Andy Hay to blast home, giving Mohan no chance.

City were now a shapeless outfit, being constantly caught out of position and passing the ball with alarming inaccuracy.

Keith Graydon replaced the injured Shaun Bell at the start of the second period and City started to show a little more urgency, Lewis Dodds forcing Ames into a good save after a solo run on goal and English volleying over a Stephen Capper left-wing cross.

Graydon’s customary distance effort on 58minutes flew straight into the keeper’s midriff, but despite their greater possession City were guilty of one-way football and there was no width to their play.

On 65minutes Dodds tested the keeper again with a left-footer, but it was far too easy a take to trouble Ames.

With a quarter of an hour left City made their final substitution, Jimmy Farrell replacing Stephen Harrison; seven minutes later, a 3-man move ended with Farrell poking home after Clarke had nodded down from English.

Just when a share of the spoils was looking like a let-off for City and hard luck on the hosts, Graydon hustled a corner for City as the referee allowed play to continue to compensate for the sundry cautions, substitutions and stoppages: after defending earlier set pieces with consummate ease the Celtic defence allowed Steven Richardson to bundle in a header at the back post.

Stephen Capper was easily my man-of-the-match – he instinctively relies on the simple ball to make progress or get out of trouble whereas many around him in the same colour shirt tried to be too clever at times.

Criticism apart, City are proving time and time again a resilient side with a never-say-die attitude; only consistency of effort is proving the elusive quality.

West Allotment Celtic – Ames, Houlsby, Patterson, Locker, Monaghan, Hughes, Dixon, Douglas (York 63), Hay, Fenwick (Vickers 78), Dawson

Durham City – Mohan, Harrison (Farrell 75), Capper, Dodds, Bowes, Smith, Butler, Bell (Graydon 46), Clarke, Appleby (Richardson 54), English

Subs not used – Connell, Smith (C)