20 Dec 2008 - Scarborough Town 2, Great Ayton United 0.
Scarborough Town were forced to re-shuffle their line-up with previous ever-presents Matt Perry and Mark Barber unable to play and skipper George Ramm also out of the reckoning. Carl Cook moved across to central defence, with young Joe Danby making the starting eleven for the first time at right back. The versatile Joel Ramm came infield to shield the back four and young winger Darren Clough started in a deeper position than usual.
Great Ayton United made their intentions clear from the start, with a very defensive line-up. They harried in midfield and got as many men behind the ball as possible, being quite content to take the pace out of the game at every opportunity.
The encounter got off to a slow start on a soft and bumpy pitch which did not suit Town's normal crisp passing approach. The home team were finding it difficult to keep possession and even the occasional longer passes rarely found their target in the initial stages. Indeed Great Ayton looked dangerous on their rare attacking forays, with Carl Cook making a last-ditch interception and Jamie Patterson courageously throwing himself into the path of a firm shot from Barry Long.
Town were finding it difficult to create a clear chance, although a 20-yard free kick from Joel Ramm arrowed just wide of the post, and the massed ranks of white-shirted defenders outnumbered the home forwards on every other occasion. The first half remained goalless with neither goalkeeper having to exert himself.
The second half began with Darren Clough breaking away on the left wing and lifting a long cross to the far post where Robbie Hawkes met it on the volley but the ball went just over the bar. Joel Ramm was urging his team on and leading by example, bursting through the Great Ayton backline but felled by a horrendous foul which only earned United's Stephen Pennock a yellow card when it could well have been red.
Great Ayton were still content to sit back and absorb the pressure, but in a rare break they put together a good move which ended with Dominic Agnew's lob just clearing the bar. After 61 minutes Town made a double change by bringing on two substitutes, and it was young Nathan Cook whose superpowered shot was fumbled by Great Ayton keeper Ian Moore allowing the ever-alert Neil Thomas to prod the ball home for his thirteenth goal of the season. Within a minute Wayne Brooksby embarked on a great run, taking the ball through the defence and around the goalkeeper before being denied by a magnificent tackle from United defender James Neilson. Then Nathan Cook's first-time effort was cleared for a corner as Town began to boss the game for the first time. After 75 minutes, sixteen-year-old Matty Brown entered the fray as substitute to make his Town debut.
The decisive goal was another to add to Darren Clough's portfolio of "goal of the season" contenders. Receiving a pass wide on the left touchline he accelerated away, skipped two challenges and cut into the penalty area before curling a sublime right-footer into the top corner to make the score 2-0 and put his name on the scoresheet for the fifth league match in a row.
A Josh Greening effort was safely pouched by the keeper before a superb through ball from Nathan Cook gave Clough a chance to chip the keeper, but Moore stretched high to intercept the goal-bound effort. Josh Greening then outpaced a defender and aimed for the top corner but the ball just missed its intended target. A great tackle from United's Simon Williams denied Clough again, while at the other end Rob Clark was called on to make a late save when Matthew Bell had a chance from a narrow angle.
In the end it was a deserved win for Town which keeps them on top of the league table as the fixtures head into 2009.
Town: Clark, Danby (N. Cook 61), Hickin, C. Cook, Craig, Ramm, Patterson, Clough, Brooksby (Brown 75), Thomas, Hawkes (Greening 61).
6 Dec 2008 - Scarborough Town 4, South Bank St Peters 0
Scarborough Town resumed their position at the top of Teesside League Division Two after a resounding win against title-challengers South Bank St Peters. With George Rose and Wayne Brooksby ruled out by injury, Carl Cook was pushed up into midfield and Darren Clough earned a rare start up front.
On a very heavy pitch, the two teams spent the first few minutes testing each other out in midfield before Neil Thomas burst through the South Bank defence but was foiled by a superb last-ditch tackle. Then Town keeper Rob Clark was called into action to claim two long crosses as South Bank mounted quick raids down the wings.
Town were still trying to play their brand of crisp inter-passing despite the muddy conditions, and a move involving Clough and Jamie Patterson ended with Dean Craig going outside the full back but pulling his shot just wide of the far post. Quick thinking by Mark Barber and Joel Ramm brought the first goal after 16 minutes, Barber taking a free kick instantly and threading the ball through to Ramm to prod the ball past the Bankers’ keeper.
An excellent touch from Ramm then sent Clough on a run, hurdling two high tackles and putting in a dangerous cross which was eventually hacked clear. Another direct and purposeful run from Clough brought the next goal, evading a number of challenges as he headed goalwards before pushing the ball sideways to Robbie Hawkes who took one touch before placing the ball confidently inside the post to make the score 2-0.
Another quick free kick brought a further chance for Hawkes, but South Bank keeper Graeme Willey saved well. Willey then pulled off another good save by going down low to save Clough’s shot after he had been sent away by Thomas.
The second half started uneventfully, with Town seemingly content to be two goals ahead and South Bank unable to make much impression on a Town defence where Tom Hickin and Matt Perry looked unbeatable in the centre. However a foul by Jamie Patterson gave South Bank a free kick 20 yards out which they were unable to take advantage of. At the other end, a free kick from the right was driven in hard and low by Ramm and glanced just over the bar by Patterson’s head. Then a South Bank free kick produced a wonderful save from Robbie Clark.
South Bank’s game became even more physical after a number of dreadful fouls went unpunished by the referee, but Town managed to keep their discipline under intense provocation. A great run down the right by Hawkes gave Barber a shot at goal from 20 yards but his left footer skimmed just wide of the post. Then Hawkes made his way through the defence again but slammed the ball into the side netting from a wide angle.
A third Town goal was on the cards, and it arrived after 82 minutes when substitute Josh Greening had an immediate impact, working the ball to Clough who rifled the ball into the top corner of the net from the edge of the box for a memorable strike. A good passing move then saw Joe Danby push the ball past the last defender to Greening who instantly lifted the ball over the keeper into the far corner for another excellent finish to make the score 4-0.
Town kept pressing until the end, and great work from Dean Craig allowed Hawkes a chance which was blocked. In the end, South Bank were well beaten by a more skilful Town side.
Town: Clark, Patterson (Danby 82), Craig, Perry, Hickin (N. Cook 82), C. Cook, Ramm, Barber, Thomas (Greening 81), Clough, Hawkes.
29 Nov 2008 - Alex Burness Plate - Scarborough Town 10, Great Ayton United 0
Scarborough Town made further progress in the Alex Burness Plate as they blasted ten goals past Great Ayton United. Carl Cook returned to the team after illness, with young centre-back Tom Hickin taking a well-earned rest after 15 consecutive games. In very cold and foggy conditions, Town went straight onto the attack but were kept at bay for the first third of the game by a hard-working Great Ayton defence.
After eight minutes, United keeper Dan Boswell dropped a high cross and Neil Thomas tapped the ball home, only to see the offside flag raised. Then Wayne Brooksby drove through to the byeline and pulled the ball back for Mark Barber whose piledriver was tipped over the bar by Boswell. After a superb one-touch passing move, Brooksby fed Dean Craig who shot narrowly wide of the far post. Robbie Hawkes beat two men on the right and crossed accurately towards Jamie Patterson, but a last-ditch interception by Mark Cooper kept the scoresheet blank. Carl Cook blasted the ball fiercely at goal from fully 40 yards but the visiting keeper held the ball well. Then Hawkes sent Joel Ramm haring towards goal but his attempted chip was grasped by the overworked Boswell.
Town were playing confident, flowing football with the players working hard for each other and running into spaces, pulling the United defence in all directions. The vital goal came after 36 minutes, when Brooksby beat his man and cut in from the left, placing the ball neatly past Boswell to give Town a well-deserved lead. Skipper George Rose then burst through to bring an excellent finger-tip save from the keeper, but the second goal soon followed. A good run from Brooksby gave Thomas a close-range chance which was blocked by the keeper, but Hawkes netted the rebound to make it 2-0. Within minutes came the third when a scramble and a goal-line block allowed Thomas to slam the ball in from a yard out. As the half came to a close, Mark Barber threaded the ball through for Hawkes to take on the keeper, and although Boswell blocked the first attempt, Hawkes took his second chance to net Town’s fourth goal.
Within seconds of the game recommencing, Neil Thomas picked up the ball and surged through two tackles to finish neatly and make the score 5-0. With the result already secured, Town brought on young substitutes Josh Greening, Joe Danby and Nathan Cook for a taste of the action.
After 56 minutes Brooksby timed his run to go clear and find the corner of the net for Town’s sixth, and four minutes later Greening’s superb pass allowed Jamie Patterson to take the ball around the keeper and net number seven for Town. A great ball from Nathan Cook then gave Greening a chance to dance round the keeper for another fine goal. With chances continuing to be created, an overhead kick by Greening was headed off the line and a last-ditch challenge denied Hawkes his hat-trick – but not for long, when a break down the right wing gave Hawkes a tap-in to make it 9-0 after 75minutes.
With five minutes remaining, Hawkes cut in from the left and confidently aimed for the top corner, the keeper getting a hand to the ball but being unable to keep it from crossing the line. After twice hitting nine goals this season, Town had now reached double figures for the first time but will now look forward with anticipation to their hardest game of the season next Saturday, at home to title rivals South Bank St Peter’s.
Town: Clark, Ramm (N. Cook 54), Perry, C. Cook, Craig (Danby 54), Brooksby, Rose, Barber, Patterson, Thomas (Greening 52), Hawkes
15 Nov 2008 - Scarborough Town 9, Billingham Town 1
The Town youngsters had no problem disposing of the division’s “form team” Billingham Town in a comprehensive 9-1 thrashing at the McCain Sports Ground, with Neil Thomas and Darren Clough both notching hat-tricks.
Town attacked from the kick off, with Jamie Patterson’s header deflected onto the crossbar, Mark Barber shooting just wide and Joel Ramm being denied by the goalkeeper’s feet. With only six minutes on the clock, Wayne Brooksby threaded the ball through the visiting defence for Neil Thomas to outpace the centre back and crack the ball home to put Town in front.
Billingham got back into the game and unsettled Town with high-energy hassling and harrying. Jamie Rowntree brought a good save from Town keeper Rob Clark, with Scott Meehan putting the rebound wide. A rare mistake from Town defender Tom Hickin then allowed Rowntree a free run goalwards to beat Clark for the equaliser.
Town were back in front within four minutes, Barber setting Robbie Hawkes away on the right, and his cross from the byeline was finished accurately by Wayne Brooksby. Hawkes then tried for himself, only to see keeper Dave Cochrane save well. Town skipper Georgie Rose was leading by example and chased a hopeful ball into the box, taking possession and turning his marker to slam the ball in from 12 yards for a 3-1 lead which remained the score until the interval.
A good passing move saw Town get the second half off to a cracking start, creating a chance for Thomas to drive the ball hard and low into the net from just outside the penalty area. Billingham then had a good five-minute spell with Clark making a good save and Carl Thompson’s acrobatic effort going straight at the home keeper.
Town’s supersub Darren Clough entered the fray and burst clear of the defence but was denied by the keeper’s fingertips as he tried to take the ball around him. Within a minute Cochrane denied Clough again with a great one-handed save, the resultant corner coming to Matt Perry whose header was too close to the keeper.
Clough was putting on a superb display of sprinting and burst clear twice within a minute, Cochrane making a fingertip save on the first occasion with no Town player in attendance to take advantage of the loose ball, then Cochrane used his foot to save when Clough attempted to take the ball around him. The next goal attempt came from Hawkes, who intercepted a loose pass and headed goalwards, his shot being deflected for a corner. After 74 minutes man-of-the-match Dean Craig played an inch-perfect pass through to Clough, and although Cochrane blocked the first effort Clough regained his footing to convert at the second attempt to bring Town’s total to five.
The best passing move of the game saw Hawkes advance on the overworked Cochrane who saved the first shot but was powerless to save the follow-up from screaming into the top corner. Cochrane threw himself into the way of another Hawkes shot but Thomas seized the rebound and netted for a well-deserved hat-trick. With ten minutes of the game remaining Clough sprinted away from the Billingham back-line yet again, and confidently took the ball around the keeper – third time lucky! – to make the score 8-1.
A Barber thunderbolt hit the underside of the Billingham crossbar, but Clough had the last word when he showed the defence a clean pair of heels and placed the ball neatly inside the far post for the ninth and his own hat-trick.
Town: Clark, Patterson, Perry, Hickin (Carl Cook 61), Craig, Ramm, Rose (Nathan Cook 69), Barber, Thomas, Brooksby (Clough 55), Hawkes.
8 Nov 2008 - MacMillan Bowl Second Round - Scarborough Town 7 Guisborough Quoit Club 2
A superb performance of confident attacking football saw Scarborough Town demolish their First Division opponents Guisborough Quoit Club. The Cup holders set out their stall with two early fouls in midfield and a long ball which Town keeper Rob Clark had to boot to safety. Playing on a newly-resurfaced pitch at Pindar School, Town’s short one-touch passing soon started to make inroads into the Guisborough defence. Robbie Hawkes fed Town skipper George Rose who brought a super save from Andy MacDonald, but the visiting keeper was nearly embarrassed by Mark Barber who spotted him out of position but just failed to hit the target from 45 yards.
In a rare Guisborough attack Tom Hickin brought down visiting front-man Scott Marshall, and a well-rehearsed free kick from Colin Holmes saw an unmarked Marshall put the visitors in front. Town continued to work their way through the visiting defence, drawing their opponents into rash tackles and luring them out of position. A super move involving five players saw a Robbie Hawkes cross deflected for a corner, from which Matt Perry set up Jamie Patterson to shoot just over the bar from 25 yards. Midfielder Rose was joining the attack at every opportunity, and when his thundering shot was parried by the keeper, Neil Thomas nipped in to tap the ball home for the equaliser.
Within minutes some slick inter-passing put Thomas clear again to side-step the keeper and blast the ball into the net to put Town 2-1 ahead. Another excellent combination from Rose and Thomas set up Wayne Brooksby who was foiled by the keeper, then Thomas was fouled when going clear and earned a free kick but no action by the referee against the Guisborough centre back. As the first half ended, Rose set up Brooksby who beat one man to get in a shot which MacDonald just managed to deflect onto the post.
Town got straight back into their stride after the interval, with a free kick from Barber being touched just wide by Perry and a blockbuster from Thomas pushed away by MacDonald, then the keeper earned applause by tipping a Hawkes shot onto the crossbar. Town piled on the pressure, and newly-arrived substitute Darren Clough netted from eight yards to increase the gap to 3-1. Guisborough’s forwards were barely getting a touch of the ball, but in a goalmouth scramble the ball came back off the Town crossbar with Clark well beaten.
The livewire Clough was drawing Guisborough into some very late challenges, and a foul 30 yards from goal saw Joel Ramm blast the ball against the crossbar and as the ball came down Jamie Patterson was on hand to head home Town’s fourth goal. After 75 minutes the game was wrapped up when Barber advanced down the right and crossed from the byeline for Dean Craig to bundle the ball into the net for number five.
Centre half Hickin was finding time to join in the attack in search of his first goal of the season, but when his header was blocked he blasted the rebound over the crossbar. Clough was through on goal but was denied by the goalkeeper’s feet, then Hickin was frustrated again when MacDonald pulled off two superb saves in quick succession. After a Ramm effort whizzed narrowly wide, Hickin found himself advancing down the right wing and produced a great cross which caused a scramble in the Guisborough goalmouth. After MacDonald had breathtakingly diverted a shot onto the post, Josh Greening netted for Town’s sixth goal.
With Town losing some of their positional discipline in a one-sided final few minutes, Guisborough broke away and Scott Edwards netted a consolation in the 89th minute, but there was still time for Greening to set up Barber to crown his man-of-the-match performance with goal number seven. Town now progress to the Quarter Final stage of the League Cup, where they will be at home to another First Division side Nunthorpe Athletic.
Town: Clark, Ramm, Perry, Hickin, Craig, Barber, Rose, Patterson (Danby 75), Brooksby (Clough 55), Thomas, Hawkes (Greening 69)
1 Nov 2008 - Scarborough Town 5 Billingham Kader 1
Town stormed back from a first-half deficit to claim three vital points which extend their lead at the top of Teesside League Division Two.
Town welcomed back midfielder Wayne Brooksby who had recovered in astonishing time from an ankle injury. Carl Cook retained his place in defence, with Dean Craig pushing further forward.
The game started at a fast pace, with Joel Ramm working his way into the penalty area and seemingly tripped from behind but Kader cleared the ball for a corner, from which Wayne Brooksby dribbled goalwards and took a shot which was again deflected behind. Billingham then swept upfield, and Debo Babatunde’s swerving shot whistled just wide of the post. Then Steve Gill tried a long range effort which dipped just over the home side’s crossbar.
Town swept back onto the attack, with a Neil Thomas shot blocked on the goalline and a Ramm thunderbolt arrowing wide of the post. After ten minutes of end-to-end play, Kader took the lead from a corner, with ex-Liverpool academy striker Babatunde getting the vital touch.
Undeterred by the setback, the Town youngsters pushed forward again and a great passing move from Carl Cook and Dean Craig set up a shooting chance for Mark Barber whose effort was brilliantly tipped over the bar by visiting keeper Stuart Trotter. After a long-range effort from Craig was saved, Brooksby gathered the ball on the right and crossed for Neil Thomas to head over the bar.
Town were now well on top and were facing a side who were beginning to resort to dubious tactics to keep their lead. Brooksby was targeted several times by over-robust challenges, and the referee finally ran out of patience and showed yellow cards to several visiting players. Town kept their discipline, and, after a good run from Ramm, Patterson’s snap-shot went wide – as did a well-hit 25-yarder from Barber. Thomas then beat his marker to fire in a shot which Trotter saved brilliantly, and the first half ended with a Patterson cross evading the onrushing forwards and drifting just wide of goal.
Town brought on Darren Clough at half time to add a new dimension to the attack, and Billingham were soon pressed back and defending desperately. Great work from Ramm led to a goalmouth scramble and Thomas was yet again denied by Trotter’s superb reactions. Town skipper Georgie Rose was constantly aiming for the defence-splitting pass and on one occasion ventured further forward to take a shot which was just off target. Then Clough outpaced the defence to bring yet another great save from the visiting keeper. The Billingham goal was now under siege with Barber and Clough having efforts saved by the overworked Trotter.
Just when it seemed an equaliser was inevitable, Kader broke away and a long cross was headed just wide by Craig Brown. Then Town keeper Rob Clark was down smartly to block an effort from Babatunde. Normal service was resumed with Town soon back on the attack, and as Thomas shaped to shoot he was tripped by Billingham’s Ross Thompson leaving the referee pointing to the penalty spot. Ramm stepped up and placed the ball confidently to the goalkeeper’s right for the long-overdue equaliser. Within two minutes Clough burst through and was felled by a late tackle to bring about another penalty kick which Ramm sent into the opposite corner to give Town a 2-1 lead.
Clough was now rampant on the left wing and outpacing the full back on every occasion. A great run allowed Clough to cut the ball back for Robbie Hawkes whose shot was blocked by the keeper, then Clough tried his luck but shot wide of the goal, and it was a case of third time lucky when Clough cut in and arrowed the ball into the top corner from 18 yards for the goal of the match.
With 76 minutes on the clock, Town piled men into the box and Jamie Patterson hit the fourth from six yards out. Substitute Nathan Cook tried a 25-yarder which went narrowly wide, then Barber hit a 30-yarder which clipped the top of the crossbar. Chances were coming thick and fast, with Hawkes having a shot blocked and Thomas nodding just wide from a great cross from Rose. A mistake in the overworked Billingham defence allowed the quick-thinking Barber to nip in and dribble the ball around the keeper before planting it into the net for Town’s fifth. With Billingham exhausted and demoralised, Town could have extended their lead through Hawkes and Craig, and there was still time for Billingham’s man-of-the-match Trotter to deny Clough with yet another acrobatic save.
Town: Clark, Hickin (Hawkes 58), Perry, C.Cook, Ramm (N.Cook 75), Craig, Barber, Rose, Patterson, Brooskby (Clough 45), Thomas
25 Oct 2008 - North Riding Senior Cup - Scarborough Town 1, Grangetown Boys Club 2
Scarborough Town were edged out the North Riding Senior Cup by a well-organised Grangetown Boys Club of the Teesside League First Division. In a game which was spoilt by severe winds, Town matched their opponents in all aspects but were undone by a freak goal thirteen minutes from the end.
The first quarter of an hour passed without any goalmouth incident of note before Dean Craig worked his way into the penalty area and had a shot blocked, the rebound falling to Joel Ramm whose effort was tipped over the bar by Grangetown keeper Craig Sharp.
Carl Cook sent Robbie Hawkes away down the left-hand side and his low cross-shot was blocked at the near post at the expense of a corner. Within a minute an identical move saw Hawkes push the ball across goal but an interception once again turned the ball behind for a corner.
Grangetown were playing some neat football in midfield, but the Town defence snuffed out the danger as soon as their opponents neared the penalty area. At the other end, the tireless Jamie Patterson sprinted through to charge down a hurried clearance from the keeper but was harshly penalised for handball.
Town’s best chance of the first half came after 31 minutes when Neil Thomas went clear on the right and sent over an inch-perfect cross but the header from Hawkes flashed wide of the post. Then a determined run from Georgie Rose earned a corner which created havoc in the visiting defence before the ball was hastily hoisted to safety.
In the last few minutes of the first half there was a warning for Town when a when a curling effort from Lee Seed grazed the post, and after 42 minutes Grangetown took the lead when two Town defenders stood off Mark Ward who turned neatly and planted the ball into the far corner with the visitors' first shot on target to give them a 1-0 lead at half-time.
Town began the second half too casually and lost possession in a dangerous position to allow Sean McAllister a shot which hit the top of the crossbar. Then Michael Meggison got on the end of a cross to head over when he could perhaps have done better.
After 56 minutes Town’s “supersub” Darren Clough entered the fray and made an immediate impact by skipping down the right wing past several desperate challenges and putting the ball into the danger zone. Robbie Hawkes worked a shooting chance and let fly, the ball taking a deflection and spinning into the net past a despairing Sharp.
Tempers became a little frayed for a few minutes with some feisty challenges, but the referee restored order with a yellow card for Grangetown’s Sean Portas.
Chances were becoming more frequent, and Craig touched a free kick to Mark Barber whose rasping drive from 25 yards was well held by Sharp. Then Grangetown’s Ward tried his luck from distance and forced Rob Clark to tip the ball over the bar. A Clough shot was half-blocked and ended up 12 yards from goal, Sharp winning the race with Barber to smother the loose ball.
The decisive goal came after 77 minutes and owed much to the windy conditions. A long cross from Darren Morrison on the right wing eluded everyone and curled into the net to put Grangetown 2-1 in front. Within a minute Meggison had a clear chance but put the ball over the bar.
Town kept going until the end and looked on the verge of finding an equaliser, but Grangetown held out to clinch the victory which takes them through to the next round. Town therefore suffered their first defeat of the season after a superb eleven-game opening sequence of nine wins and two draws which sees them firmly on top of Teesside League Division Two.
Town:
Clark, Ramm, Hickin, Perry, Craig, C. Cook (Danby 84), Patterson (N. Cook 84), Barber, Rose (Clough 56), Thomas, Hawkes.
18 Oct 2008 - South Bank St Peters 1 Town 3
In a top-of-the-table battle at South Bank, supersub Darren Clough hit two superb individual goals to rescue a game which had seemed to be slipping away from Town after a lacklustre second-half display. Town welcomed back Jamie Patterson after a two-match injury absence but were without the unlucky Wayne Brooksby who is facing a lengthy lay-off with ankle ligament damage.
On a heavy and grassy pitch which did not suit Town’s usual short-passing game, the visitors nevertheless soon took control of the game. After five minutes Dean Craig slid in to connect with a long diagonal ball but home keeper Graeme Willey saved well, then defender Tom Hickin went forward to get a head on a George Rose cross, but the ball went over the bar. Jamie Patterson and Robbie Hawkes both had chances before South Bank finally clicked into gear and Town keeper Rob Clark had to be alert to push a shot from Ricky Phillips around the post.
A quickly-taken long throw-in from Carl Cook put Neil Thomas away on the left and he pulled the ball back to Robbie Hawkes whose first effort was blocked and his second shot arrowed over the crossbar. With George Rose and Mark Barber pulling the strings in midfield, Town probed for the opening goal, but when Hawkes cut in superbly from the right he shot weakly at the keeper when two team-mates were better placed in front of goal.
In a rare South Bank attack the ball was swept dangerously across the six-yard box with no home player in a position to take advantage of the chance. At the other end Thomas went clear on goal but was outfoxed by Willey who deflected the ball for a corner. Thomas then brought another smart save from the keeper with a shot on the turn before Rose curled a thoughtful effort just wide as the first half came to an end.
South Bank upped the tempo after their half-time team talk and tore into their opponents with ferocity. Town were unsettled and began to look hesitant as some full-blooded tackles blunted their confidence. Midfielder Paul Venis had a twenty-yarder well held by Clark and Glenn Wesson turned superbly to fire a shot narrowly wide, whilst a rare Town attack saw Thomas break through but the keeper timed his approach perfectly to smother the ball. South Bank piled on the pressure and Clark saved point-blank in a goalmouth melee before Bankers defender Peter Hoe headed over when well placed.
A South Bank goal was on the cards, and it was no surprise when hesitancy in the Town defence gave Lewis Simms a chance which he converted confidently. The same player then rounded the keeper but could only hit the outside of the post from a tight angle, whilst Town centre-half Matt Perry came to the rescue with a timely clearance as Town looked to be heading for their first-ever defeat.
Substitute Darren Clough took fifteen minutes to adjust to the tempo and style of the game but then turned the game around with two excellent individual goals. After 78 minutes he turned on the after-burners to leave two defenders on their heels before cutting in and clipping the ball accurately past Willey for the equaliser. Within one minute, good work from Craig and Thomas sent Clough speeding away again to repeat his feat by beating the keeper with a shot inside the far post to put Town 2-1 ahead.
South Bank now looked deflated, and Thomas worked well to get in a cross which Hawkes hit over the bar from six yards. Then a free-kick from Perry was mis-headed by a Bankers defender and Jamie Patterson nipped into the gap to plant the ball in the net and seal a victory for Town which keeps them on top of the Teesside League Division Two table.
Town: Clark, Hickin, Perry, C.Cook, Craig, Ramm (Clough 59), Rose, Barber, Patterson, Thomas (Danby 87), Hawkes.
11 Oct 2008 - Town 1 St Mary's College 0
A late goal from Joel Ramm settled a very keenly-contested match between Scarborough Town and St Mary’s College in a Teesside League encounter at McCain Sports. With Jamie Patterson still absent, Nathan Cook made the starting line-up for the first time, and Darren Clough was preferred to Robbie Hawkes up front.
Scarborough began brightly and Clough beat two men on the left before pulling the ball back for Georgie Rose whose shot was blocked on the line. The home team suffered an early blow when Wayne Brooksby sustained an injury which saw him taken to hospital with suspected ligament damage.
St Mary’s were playing neat and tidy football, and when Dean Craig lost possession Rob Clark had to act swiftly to beat out two close-range efforts. At the other end, Neil Thomas chased a through ball and headed down for George Rose to clip the ball narrowly outside the post. Two long throws from Mark Barber caused problems for St Mary’s, with the ball being cleared for a corner on both occasions. Clough made a superb run and hurdled three hard challenges but then shot weakly at Thomas Straker in the St Mary’s goal, then Barber tried his luck from 35 yards but the keeper saved confidently.
St Mary’s replied with a sweeping move which needed Clark’s intervention to palm the ball around the post, while back at the other end Neil Thomas broke clear but was denied by a last-ditch tackle. The best move of the half came on 43 minutes when Barber and Thomas combined to set up a chance for Clough whose effort smacked against the post with the keeper well beaten.
Scarborough took control of the second period with Rose and Barber pulling the strings in midfield, but St Mary’s defended stoutly and restricted Town to a number of half-chances. From a free kick just outside the box, Barber touched the ball to Joel Ramm whose curling effort cleared the bar by inches. Then Craig rampaged down the left and pulled the ball back for Hawkes whose shot was blocked. In a breakaway, Ben Cotts made good progress but Town cleared the ball from inside the 6-yard area.
Clough used his speed to reach the byeline and pull the ball back, and centre-back Paul Peirson’s hurried clearance scraped his own crossbar as it flew out for a corner. Nathan Cook broke through but pushed the ball wide of the far post, then Hawkes planted the ball in the net but the referee had already blown for a Town free kick for a foul on Ramm just outside the box.
St Marys were again dangerous on the break, with Cotts bringing a good save from Clark, but Town were now mounting waves of attacks. Barber and Thomas set up Clough for an effort which skimmed narrowly wide, then Thomas and Clough broke into the box but the keeper blocked superbly.
The breakthrough finally came on 85 minutes when Barber grabbed possession, swivelled neatly and tucked the ball inside for Ramm to smack the ball home from ten yards.
Town: Clark, N.Cook, Craig (Danby 78), Hickin, Perry (C.Cook 45), Rose, Ramm, Barber, Thomas, Brooksby (Hawkes 13), Clough.
4th Oct 2008 - Alex Burness Plate - Town 2, Redcar Rugby Club 0
Town continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 2-0 win over a spirited Redcar Rugby Club side. Town were without Robbie Hawkes and the injured Jamie Patterson. Darren Clough came in for Hawkes whilst Dean Craig was pushed into midfield which allowed Carl Cook to make his Town debut.
A gale force wind was blowing straight across the pitch but thankfully the rain stayed away. The wind caused havoc throughout the game with both side struggling to control the ball. Town started brightly and a in the opening minutes Carl Cook hit a crisp left footed shot straight at the keeper from the edge of the box. Darren Clough was causing problems with his pace and on 8 minutes he skipped past 2 defenders, managed to lift the ball over the advancing keeper but the covering defender cleared .
Wayne Brooksby then lofted a high ball in from the right, the keeper was left stranded and Neil Thomas, under pressure from the defender, saw his header float agonisingly wide. Then Town were hit on the break. A flowing Redcar move led to a shot from the edge of the box, which Rob Clark could only parry. The ball ran free to a Redcar player, who from 8 yards with an open goal, managed to hit the bar.
Town were the side looking to press forward but too often they gave the ball away cheaply with numerous passes going astray. Redcar seemed happy to soak up the pressure and looked dangerous on the break. On 14 minutes there was an almightly scramble in the Scarborough box, it looked certain Redcar would take the lead but several last gasp blocks, a Joel Ramm goal line clearance and finally a great save from Rob Clark kept the scores level.
Neil Thomas had a great chance to put Town in front just before the mid way point in the half. A long throw from Mark Barber fell to Thomas at the far post but he could only prod the ball over the bar.
The game turned scrappy and was littered with free licks. The swirling wind was playing havoc with the ball as soon as it was in the air. Town remained on top for the rest of the half. Skipper George Rose was bossing the midfield and centre half Matt Perry was superb at the back.
Redcar were the first to create a chance in the second half. Rob Clark came out of his box to make a clearance which was blocked by the centre forward. Clark recovered but at the cost of a corner from which Redcar blazed the ball high over the bar.
Town were now starting to find their rhythm with Wayne Brooksby and Darren Clough charging forward at every opportunity. Both dragging the play out wide, stretching the Redcar defence and creating gaps for Neil Thomas, Mark Barber and Joel Ramm to run into. On 55 minutes Mark Barber picked up a loose ball 30 yards out, as he came forward he skipped past two challenges before being brought down inches outside the box. Wayne Brooksby lined up the free kick but his curling effort was deflected wide for a corner. Carl Cook took the corner short to Brooksby, he danced past the covering defender, his shot took a wicked deflection and looped high in the air and dropped inches wide of the far post.
By now it was one way traffic with wave after wave of Town attacks. Wayne Brooksby went on a mazy run and after a series of quick passes the ball found its way to Darren Clough but his effort went wide. Clough was getting more involved and the defenders were struggling to cope with his pace and quick feet. On 62 minutes Clough danced round three challenges before rolling the ball in to the path of George Rose but the keeper managed to push the ball out for a corner. On 66 minutes Rose, who had been subjected to a number of hefty challenges, was replaced by Josh Greening.
The Redcar No 11 had been a real live wire all afternoon and on 69 minutes his persistance created a half chance which was dragged wide. Redcar then had Town on the back foot for a few minutes and a great clearing header by Tom Hickin denied Redcar a goal. It wasn't long before normal service was resumed. On 72 minutes Wayne Brooksby burst into the box and was brought down. Joel Ramm stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way to put Town into a deserved lead..
On 77 minutes we were treated to a moment of pure magic. A diagonal ball wide to the right saw Darren Clough outpace the full back, as he cut in towards the box the Keeper charged from his line but Clough delicately lobbed the ball over his head and into the empty net.
Town created a number of good opportunities in the closing minutes. Wayne Brooksby intercepted a poor clearance but couldn't beat the keeper. Clough again raced clear of the defence he nicked the ball past the advancing keeper but could only hit the side netting from a tight angle.
In stoppage time Joel Ramm won the ball off the keeper out by the touchline, he ran into the box and with only one defender chasing back, 3 players in support and all the time in the world managed to hit the outside of the post! There was still time for Neil Thomas was to smash a shot into the bar.
Town: Clark, Ramm, C. Cook (Danby 77), Perry, Hickin, Barber, Rose (Greening 66), Craig (N. Cook 73), Brooksby, Clough, Thomas.
27th September 2008 - Scarborough Town 9 Whinney Banks YCC 0
Town had been expecting a tough game against the division’s top goalscorers, but the visitors were outclassed and demoralised by a scintillating Town performance.
The rout began as early as the fourth minute with a foul on Wayne Brooksby. The free kick led to a scramble in the box and midfielder Jamie Patterson thumped the ball home to put Town ahead. An early Whinney Banks raid was foiled by a last-ditch Town tackle which deflected the ball out for a corner.
Town were keeping possession confidently in midfield and playing some telling passes out to the flanks where Robbie Hawkes and Wayne Brooksby were causing panic amongst the visiting defence. A couple of long-range efforts from Joel Ramm and Dean Craig rocketed narrowly over the bar, but a second Town goal was on the cards and it came after 22 minutes. Mark Barber touched a free kick to Brooksby who hammered the ball into the net from 25 yards.
It was Brooksby who set up the third goal, outfoxing his marker with some clever footwork near the corner flag before crossing for Neil Thomas to power a great header into the net. Then Hawkes set up two chances, firstly for George Rose to dart through and hit the post with a low shot, then by pulling the ball back from the byeline for Mark Barber to smack the ball against a post. Town’s central defensive duo of Tom Hickin and Matt Perry looked so solid that it took Whinney Banks 42 minutes to get a shot on the Town goal, but it was a tame effort straight at keeper Rob Clark.
Town went straight back on the attack in the second half, and, following a good save from the keeper, Thomas turned and netted powerfully to make the score 4-0. Substitute Darren Clough entered the fray and used his speed to great effect, taking the ball to the byeline and teeing up Perry to blast the ball in from ten yards for number five. Ramm then played Clough through on the keeper and his neat finish made it 6-0. Completing a golden spell of three goals in five minutes, Thomas beat his man on the left and cut inside to make it 7-0 and a hat-trick for the Town striker.
Clough saw his shot well saved by the keeper, but Brooksby lobbed the ball accurately into the net for number eight, then Clough beat his man but was cruelly scythed down to give Town a penalty which Ramm converted with no problem to bring the score to 9-0.
The game lost its shape in the final quarter but there were a number of chances for Town to hit double figures, most notably when Thomas nipped in to intercept a pass but blasted the ball over the bar from ten yards.
Town: Clark, Ramm, Craig, Hickin, Perry, Barber (N.Cook 60), Rose, Patterson (Danby 60), Hawkes (Clough 57), Brooksby, Thomas.
13th September 2008 - MacMillan Bowl, First Round - Scarborough Town 3 South Bank St Peters 1
Over 140 spectators turned out on a sun baked afternoon to watch Scarborough Town progress to the next round of the cup with comfortable victory over South Bank St Peters on a pitch still very wet in places after recent heavy rain.
South Bank started quickly and created a half chance inside 20 seconds. Town cleared their lines and broke quickly to the other end and a George Rose strike from outside the box was deflected wide for a corner with less than 60 seconds on the clock. Town had two good chances to take the lead in the first 5 minutes. First Wayne Brooksby forced the keeper to block with his legs, when through on goal and then Neil Thomas fired over when he could have done better. On 6 minutes and against the run of play South Bank took the lead. A deep cross found Andy Gove at the far post. He bought the ball down, cut inside the defender and blasted the ball past Rob Clarke in the Town goal.
Within a minute Town almost equalised but the keeper again saved with his legs, this time from Neil Thomas. Town dominated the game but it was the visitors who came closest to scoring. Another deep cross forced Rob Clarke into a fine reflex save from a point blank header. As the half wore on Town continued to create chances with Wayne Brooksby, Joel Ramm, Robbie Hawkes and Neil Thomas all going close. Town almost equalised on the stroke of half time when a Dean Craig free kick flashed across the face of the goal and Neil Thomas couldn’t get enough on it to steer it into the net. Just as it seemed Town would go in a goal behind, Robbie Hawkes found himself with the ball on the left edge of the penalty area, with players in support he cut inside and hit a fierce shot that beat the keeper at his near post. It was nothing less than Town deserved.
Town were quickly out of the blocks in the second half and after some neat approach play Robbie Hawkes curled his shot inches wide of the South Bank goal. The game then turned a bit ugly with several bad challenges and four bookings for the visitors. This culminated in the 59th minute when Wayne Brooksby was bundled over in the box. Joel Ramm calmly converting the spot kick to give Town a deserved lead.
South Bank pushed forward trying to get back into the game and forced Town into a few errors and they nearly levelled when Rob Clark charged from his box to clear a ball he should have left. He, Joel Ramm and Tom Hickin ended up on the deck but the South Bank effort was cleared close to the line by the covering Matt Perry. Town nerves were calmed on 66 minutes when man of the match Wayne Brooksby got onto the end of a through ball and slotted it past the keeper.
Speedy winger Darren Clough was brought on to replace captain George Rose, who had been the recipient of several heavy challenges. Clough’s first contribution was to be badly fouled resulting in a 5th booking for the visitors. South Bank didn’t give up but as they pushed forward it left large holes in the defence. Neil Thomas was unlucky not to make it four, his shot drifting wide after holding off two challenges.
The Bankers keeper Graeme Willey then produced a stunning double save first to deny Wayne Brooksby, who had danced round several defenders and then from the follow-up shot. Marcus Jones was thrown on for the final few minutes and nearly scored with his first touch, the cross being just too high for him. As the final whistle approached the keeper produced another fin e save to deny Dean Craig his first goal in a Town shirt.
Town deserved the win and the score line did not do the performance justice. South Bank are one of the top teams in the Teesside League but were second best in every department.
Town: Clark, Ramm, Craig, Hickin, Perry, Barber, Rose (Clough 70), Patterson (Jones 86), Hawkes, Brooksby, Thomas (Greening 75)
Monday 1st September 2008 - Norton & Stockton Ancients 1, Scarborough Town 2
Town moved up into top spot in Teesside League Division Two with a victory over a useful-looking Ancients team.
Scarborough began sluggishly, as they have done on several occasions this season, and were caught out on seven minutes when a through ball found home forward Chris Stockton whose confident finish gave Rob Clark no chance. As the game evened out, Robbie Hawkes broke through on the right and shot fiercely from a tight angle but keeper Shaun Coleman was positioned well and blocked the effort.
Another long ball from Stockton forced Rob Clark to leave his penalty area to clear the danger, but when play switched to the other end Wayne Brooksby threaded the ball into the path of skipper George Rose’s excellent run for the equaliser on 30 minutes. Brooksby then set up Jamie Patterson for a shot which cleared the bar.
In the second half Town stepped up a gear and began to create chance after chance. Good work from Mark Barber and Dean Craig allowed Rose a sight of goal from 20 yards but his shot flew straight at the keeper. A well-worked short corner from Craig resulted in Hawkes cutting inside and having his shot deflected past the post, then Patterson fed Hawkes whose curling effort just cleared the bar.
It was no surprise when Town took the lead after 59 minutes – but the goal came from the most surprising of sources. Centre back Matt Perry was still upfield after a corner and found himself winning the ball and sprinting down the left wing, then providing a pinpoint cross for Neil Thomas to give Coleman no chance with a firm header.
Coleman saved a point-blank effort from the ever-willing Hawkes, with midfield dynamo Patterson picking up the loose ball to shoot over the bar. The Ancients had been under severe pressure but created two chances within a minute, Liam Aldridge’s shot just clearing the bar and Matt Crossan’s long-range effort flying straight at Town keeper Clark.
The game ended with Town again on top, a Hawkes solo effort flying just over the bar and a Josh Greening shot plucked out of the air by Coleman.
Town:
Clark, Patterson, Craig, Perry, Hickin, Rose(Danby 75), Ramm, Barber, Thomas (Greening 77), Brooksby, Hawkes (Cook 89)
Saturday 30th August 2008 - Scarborough Town 3 Grangetown YCC 0
Scarborough Town’s historic first home match ended in a convincing 3-0 win against visitors Grangetown.
The first ten minutes were fairly even, with Town keeper Rob Clark called into action early on, but as the game settled down Town pressed further forward and started to create a number of chances.
After ten minutes Wayne Brooksby dribbled cleverly through from the right and was scythed down, but inexplicably the referee failed to award the obvious penalty kick. Then Robbie Hawkes made progress down the wing, and with George Rose challenging, the ball fell to Neil Thomas whose shot was spectacularly tipped over the bar by visiting keeper Steve Williams.
Hawkes then outpaced the visiting defence to be through on goal but was denied by a last-ditch tackle, then within minutes Thomas forced three great saves from the visiting keeper and also pushed the ball just outside the post after great approach work from Town.
The breakthrough seemed to have arrived after 35 minutes when Brooksby made progress despite being fouled, and pulled the ball back for Thomas to net confidently only to see the linesman’s flag raised for a questionable offside decision. As half time approached, keeper Williams saved with his feet from Hawkes but was left stranded as a piledriver from the same player rocketed six inches over the bar.
The second half began in similar vein with Town mounting wave after wave of attack, firstly a Dean Craig effort was well held by the keeper and then centre-back Tom HIckin headed just wide from a long Mark Barber throw-in.
The breakthrough finally came after 57 minutes, a short corner from Craig allowed Hawkes to cross the ball and defender Matt Perry slammed in his first goal for the club. Darren Clough came on as substitute to torment the visitors, and he used his searing pace to outrun the Grangetown defence and roll the ball past the keeper to put the home side 2-0 ahead.
Persistence by Josh Greening earned a chance which Nathan Cook blasted just wide, and a goalbound shot from George Rose was deflected just outside the post for a corner. With one minute remaining the scoreline took on a more realistic look when Greening set up midfielder Rose to blast the ball into the net for a richly-deserved 3-0 home win.
Town:
Clark, Patterson (Cook 75), Craig, Perry, Hickin, Rose, Ramm, Barber, Thomas, Brooksby, Hawkes (Clough 55, Greening 65)
Wednesday 27th August 2008 - Teesside League Division Two
Redcar Rugby Club 2 Scarborough Town 2
Scarborough Town left Redcar Rugby Club in rueful mood, having squandered a hatful of chances and only getting a share of the points from a game which they dominated.
Town had barely started to put their game together when they went a goal behind, the defence failing to deal with a deep cross in the sixth minute and Redcar’s Adam Preston netting the loose ball from close range. The visitors then stepped up to their normal tempo and were only denied by last-ditch tackles on Wayne Brooksby and Neil Thomas. But the deserved equaliser arrived after 17 minutes when Thomas won a great header, setting Robbie Hawkes clear on goal to beat the keeper with his fourth strike of the season.
With Town gaining six corners in fairly quick succession it seemed unlikely Redcar could stem the tide, and a magnificent move involving Mark Barber, Jamie Patterson and Hawkes saw Thomas put the ball just past the post.
The second half began in similar style, with Wayne Brooksby’s pace and movement causing particular problems. Home keeper Keith Hill made a superb save to keep out a misdirected clearance from his own centre-back Matthew O’Brien. It was Brooksby who put Town ahead after 54 minutes with a fine solo goal, intercepting the ball and going clear of the defence before rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into the net.
Town defender Tom HIckin headed just wide following yet another corner, and Georgie Rose threaded a ball through the Redcar back line for Hawkes to bring yet another great save from the home keeper.
Substitute Darren Clough then joined the action and sprinted through the defence on three occasion, firstly setting up Brooksby for a shot which whistled over the bar, then striking the far post with a curling shot, and finally bringing another great save from the keeper.
With Town squandering chance after chance, it seemed inevitable that Redcar would capitalise on their failings and after 82 minutes Jamie Graham broke away on the left to finish in fine style to square the game at 2-2.
The visitors’ fitness levels allowed them to maintain a high pace for the full ninety minutes, yet although they created yet more chances, there was no-one in the right place at the right time to clinch the win which they had surely deserved. Nevertheless Town begin their home campaign on Saturday at McCain Sports (kick-off 12.00 midday) on the back of an undefeated four-match run on their travels.
Town:
Clark, Patterson, Craig, Perry, Hickin, Rose (Danby 70), Ramm, Barber, Thomas (Clough 56), Brooksby, Hawkes
Saturday 23rd August 2008 - Teesside League Division Two
Acklam Steelworks 2 Scarborough Town 3
Scarborough Town showed their mettle as they outfought previously-unbeaten Acklam Steelworks in a riveting finale to their Teesside League match in Middlesbrough. Town changed their line-up for the first time this season, with Neil Thomas back to fitness and replacing the unlucky Darren Clough in the starting eleven.
The action started after only two minutes when an Acklam corner led to Jonathan Sharkey blasting the ball just over the bar, but Town took the ball downfield with a superb run from Thomas who pulled the ball back for George Rose whose shot was well saved by the Steelers’ keeper.
The action switched from end to end, but Town, playing down the slope, were unlucky when Rose’s goalbound shot was deflected off a defender’s heel for a corner. The Dean Craig cut inside only to see his shot blocked on the line, and Robbie Hawkes picked up a loose clearance and let fly from 35 yards but the home keeper made a good save.
Acklam had been under pressure but switched to attack, and a free kick was headed goalwards by Richard Cook for Rob Clark to save low down to his right. After 21 minutes Steelworks went ahead when Brett Meekings had a shot blocked but hammered the ball into the net at his second attempt.
Town roared straight back, Jamie Patterson and Hawkes combing on the left to set up Thomas whose shot was superbly tipped over by home keeper Matthew Perry, the namesake of the Town centre-back who was having a solid game in partnership with young Tom Hickin.
The Town equaliser in the 35th minute was a superb individual effort from Wayne Brooksby, embarking on a mazy run through the Steelers’ defence, the referee allowing him to carry on despite being fouled, and to take the ball through the last line of the home defence to slot the ball home for a well-deserved leveller.
Town were well on top as the first half ended, Hawkes curling an effort just wide and Perry heading just wide following a Town corner.
Shortly after the restart, sheer persistence from Brooksby saw him dispossess the home left back and cut the ball across the box for Thomas to slam the ball home to put the visitors 2-1 ahead.
With twenty minutes remaining Town brought on the livewire Darren Clough whose pace caused mayhem in the Steelers’ defence, A Clough cross-shot was plucked out of the air by the home keeper, then a short free kick set up Hawkes whose effort brought a stunning full-length save from Perry.
With Town seemingly heading for three points as the game edged into added time, Acklam were awarded a free kick twenty yards out which Meekings blasted home in superb style to level the scores at 2-2. But Town were not about to see the points slip away, and a wonderful move involving all three Town substitutes clinched the win, a cross from Joe Danby flicked on by Clough for Josh Greening to arrive at just the right time to slam the ball in for a last-gasp winner.
Town:
Clark, Patterson, Craig, Perry, Hickin, Rose, Ramm, Barber (Danby 85), Thomas (Greening 78), Brooksby (Clough 68), Hawkes
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Saturday 16th August 2008 - Teesside League Division Two
Great Ayton United 1 Scarborough Town 1
Scarborough Town grabbed a well-deserved late equaliser against Great Ayton United as both teams remained unbeaten in the League.
With Roseberry Topping looming imperiously on one side of the ground and from the other side the sound of grouse meeting an untimely end on the North York Moors, Leven Park was a unique setting for this Teesside League game. Town kept an unchanged side from their victory at Teesside Athletic against a Great Ayton side widely-tipped to be one of this season’s top teams.
Both sides began by attempting to control the midfield, and there was little goalmouth action until a Mark Barber free-kick sent Robbie Hawkes clear on the right, his centre being hooked over the bar by a Darren Clough overhead kick. Then Wayne Brooksby worked his way through the Great Ayton defence but was foiled by the keeper Dan Boswell diving at his feet. The first half ended with a Clough effort scudding narrowly past the post with the keeper beaten, but on the whole both defences had worked well to restrict the number of chances, with Matt Perry and Tom Hickin looking a particularly solid unit at the heart of the Town back line.
From the restart Town took control of the game. A superb move involving Joel Ramm and Georgie Rose put Hawkes through but Boswell made a great save, then Clough broke away but could not beat the keeper from a tight angle. Brooksby burst through to the byeline but failed to find a teammate with his cross.
Despite their dominance, Town fell behind in the cruellest of circumstances. The defence was indecisive for the only time in the game despite outnumbering a lone attacker three to one – and a hurried clearance hit United’s Matty Loving and looped back over Town keeper Rob Clark from 35 yards out to give the home team the lead.
Putting this setback behind them, Town returned to the attack, and Wayne Brooksby found himself one-on-one with the keeper on two occasions, being thwarted once by the keeper’s body and once by his feet. After a succession of Town corners had come to nothing, a rare Great Ayton attack earned a free kick which keeper Clark tipped over the bar.
With substitutes Marcus Jones and Josh Greening giving Town renewed impetus, Brooksby caused danger with an excellent cross, then Greening accelerated past the last defender and pushed the ball wide of the keeper but unfortunately also just outside the post. Ramm then worked a good chance but his shot rebounded off the keeper, and Ramm’s follow-up effort was well saved by the overworked Boswell. It looked as if the equaliser had finally arrived when Rose and Brooksby sent Hawkes away on the left, but again the ball bobbled wide of the far post.
After 88 minutes Brooksby broke away yet again only to be foiled by the keeper once more, but this time the rebound fell to Josh Greening who hammered the ball into the net for an a share of the points which was the very least Town deserved.
Scarborough Town:
Clark, Ramm, Craig (Greening 72), Perry, Hickin, Rose, Clough (Jones 60), Barber, Patterson, Brooksby, Hawkes.
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13 Aug 2008 - Teesside League
Teesside Athletic 0 Scarborough Town 5
(Photo right) The start of a new era? Teesside Athletic kick off, as Scarborough Town's first-ever match begins.
An excellent all-round performance brought Scarborough Town three points as they started their Teesside League campaign in convincing style with a 5-0 away win at Teesside Athletic.
The game started at a fast pace with tackles flying in from all sides, but Town settled quickly and went ahead after only five minutes when Robbie Hawkes burst through the Athletic defence and cut in from the left before calmly placing the ball past the home keeper.
Things got even better for Town after 11 minutes. Skipper George Rose floated a free kick into the penalty box for Jamie Patterson to leap highest and head home to make it 2-0.
Both teams maintained a high work rate and fought hard as the ball remained in midfield for a short period, with birthday-boy Mark Barber skilfully creating space and time for his team-mates. Hawkes and Wayne Brooksby then combined well to set up a chance for Darren Clough who blasted the ball over the bar.
Not until 35 minutes did the Redcar-based side threaten the Town goal, but their first serious attempt was hit well over the crossbar. Within a minute the ball was back in the other penalty area after the referee allowed Clough to continue despite having been fouled, he took the ball to the byeline and crossed for Dean Craig who failed to hit the target when well placed.
As the first half drew to a close, Hawkes again tested the home keeper with a rasping drive which was well saved.
With a minute of the restart Scarborough had gone three ahead, a superbly-worked move giving Patterson the chance to calmly find the corner of the net from 15 yards out. Town looked dangerous every time they attacked, and after 59 minutes Hawkes outpaced the home defence to push the ball past the keeper for the fourth goal.
It took Athletic 78 minutes to get a shot on target, but Rob Clark made a great full-length save to preserve his clean sheet. With six minutes remaining, Josh Greening showed great control to break through the home defence, the keeper dived at his feet to block the shot but the ball spun loose to Hawkes for an easy tap-in to complete his hat-trick and make the score 5-0.
Scarborough Town:
Clark, Ramm, Craig, Perry, HIckin, Rose (Cook 77), Clough (Greening 72), Barber (Danby 65), Patterson, Brooksby, Hawkes.
2 Aug 2008 - Pre-season friendly
Hutton Cranswick United 1, Scarborough Town 2
Scarborough Town put themselves in good heart for the coming season by gaining a well-deserved win at Hutton Cranswick United of the Central Midlands League Premier Division.
The Scarborough youngsters started in top gear but were undone in the seventh minute by a quick counter attack which allowed Darren Parker to slot the ball home. Town went straight back onto the attack, playing some neat and skilful football which had the United defenders in a whirl. Wayne Brooksby shaved the bar on two occasions before Darren Clough got the well-earned equaliser, a bit of trickery giving him space to aim a shot for the top corner which the home keeper could only help into the net.
In the ten minutes before half time, Hutton Cranswick looked bewildered as Town created chance after chance – Gaz Owen and Neil Thomas went close, and Robbie Hawkes brought an excellent full-length save from the home keeper, but it was Josh Greening who slammed in a shot from the edge of the box which put Scarborough ahead.
The second half began in a similar vein, with Town cutting through the home defence at will and creating chances for Hawkes and Craig, before Hutton Cranswick finally enjoyed a spell of possession and created a chance which Mark Pratley headed wide.
After a short spell on the back foot, Town regained control with Hawkes and Ramm having shots saved before creating an almighty scramble in the home penalty box with three shots being blocked, then a Martin Barnes 25-yarder hitting the bar and Mark Barber blasting the ball just over the goal.
Hutton Cranswick tried to salvage a draw with some late pressure, but the Scarborough defence looked confident and assured and allowed goalkeeper Rob Clark an easy afternoon with barely a save to make.
Scarborough Town: Clark, Perry, Barnes, Jones, Ramm, Barber, Thomas, Patterson, Craig, Brooksby, Clough.
Substitutes: Hawkes, Ramm, Danby, Owen, Greening, Cook
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