MATCH REPORTS, Season 2011-12

For match reports from the first half of the season (Aug 2011 to Nov 2011) please click the link on the left.
 
 

18 February 2012 - Humber Premier League - North Ferriby Athletic 1 Scarborough Town 4
 
After a two-week break caused by the wintry weather, Town eased back into Humber Premier League action with a well-deserved 4-1 win at North Ferriby Athletic.  Town were hit by late injuries and absences, and even after the warm-up keeper Rob Clark had to drop out through sickness and be replaced by Darrol Lewis.
 
However Town soon imposed themselves on their opponents, and after 7 minutes Neil Fryirs and Jamie Bradshaw combined well on the left to whip in a cross which home keeper Nick Butt pushed out to Kris Tate who slammed the ball into the net from 8 yards for Town's 100th goal of the season.
 
On 16 minutes Town increased their lead when an incisive pass from Tate sent Bradshaw into the area to cut the ball back for Ben Luntley to place neatly into the bottom corner.  Athletic's skipper Steve Batterbee miscued in front of the Town goal as the home side got on to the attack at last, but Town pieced together a great passing move which ended with a shot from Fryirs being charged down.
 
Bradshaw jinked past his marker but his shot was gathered at the near post, then Town appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty when the ball hit the hand of defender Paul Marshall.  Ferriby's best chance so far came to Ed Hepple who outpaced the defence but was thwarted by Lewis diving at his feet, then the resultant corner ended in a scramble in front of the Town goal before the danger was finally cleared.
 
There was more than a touch of fortune about Town's third goal on 33 minutes.  Good pressing from Luntley panicked Ferriby defender Mark Chaikin into hitting a back-pass too firmly and keeper Butt's flailing boot failed to connect as the ball trundled into the net.
 
Luntley set up a chance for Bradshaw who clipped the ball wildly over the bar from 6 yards out, then Butt made a terrific save from Luntley after a free kick by Fryirs.  At the other end a free kick from Andy Jacklin was tipped over the bar by Lewis, and a scudding effort from Batterbee clipped the foot of the Town goalpost.
 
The second half began with a Luntley cross-shot tipped over the bar by Butt, and after a period of Town pressure Bradshaw unleashed a 25-yarder which was foiled by a flying save from the home keeper.  A shot from Tate  was deflected over the bar, but at the other end Lewis had to race out sharply to kick clear from Hepple.  With the wind growing stronger by the minute, both teams were finding it difficult to judge airborne passes, but Bradshaw kept the ball on the ground as he made good progress through midfield to feed Aidan Thomas who beat one man before hitting a low shot which zipped narrowly wide.
 
On 70 minutes Ferriby pulled back a goal when Lewis parried Batterbee's shot but was powerless to prevent Hepple netting from close range.  Town were soon back on the attack however, with Tony Pickles breaking away to find Fryirs whose effort was blocked, then a Town corner was only half cleared and returned goalwards by Pickles to Baz Gill who swivelled but could not get his shot on target from close in.
 
Ferriby kept their spirits up and were close to another goal when Batterbee's fierce volley crashed into the side netting, but Town were always dangerous and Tate's 25-yard free kick went narrowly outside the foot of the post.  The visitors showed great confidence with some neat one-touch passing to retain possession and were rewarded after 89 minutes when Tate's pass sent Luntley through to score with assurance to complete a fine 4-1 win.
 
 
Town: Lewis, Briggs, Darling, Nock, Gill, Pickles, Thomas, Tate, Luntley, Fryirs, Bradshaw (Collins 64)
 

28 January 2012 - Humber Premier League - Hessle Sporting Club 2 Scarborough Town 1
 
Hessle Sporting Club reinforced their splendid home record on the artificial surface at South Hunsley School by defeating an injury-hit Scarborough side.  Town drafted in Jason Darling for his third start of the season, and Lee Cappleman made his first start since the beginning of October, with only two players available to take a seat on the Town bench.
 
The home side began with a flourish but Chris Nelson cleared off the line after Gareth Wray had got his head to a corner, then Scott Richards took a free kick which went wide.  Suddenly all the action switched to the other end, with Tony Pickles, Nelson and Cappleman combining well to force the first in a series of four Town corners, with Neil Fryirs swinging the ball in and Cappleman's goalbound effort being cleared off the line.  Hessle could not escape the pressure, and a 20-yarder from Nelson smacked against the home crossbar, then home keeper Steve Fox pulled off a miraculous one-handed save from Fryirs.  It seemed only a matter of time before Town went in front as another shot bounced back off the post, but a Hessle breakaway almost succeeded when Town keeper Rob Clark had to dive bravely at the feet of Perry Skelton.
 
Nelson's low cross caused panic in the Hessle defence and earned yet another corner, but on 16 minutes Hessle took the lead with a marvellous sweeping move starting in their own half and involving six players before Skelton netted a goal which was worthy of a much higher level. Fryirs and Ben Luntley set up Briggs for a shot which went wide, then a Briggs cross was headed over by Cappleman.
 
Just before the break Darling was robbed by Kye Esa who headed for goal, but Darling chased back and helped to block the effort.  However from the resultant corner home centre back James Bell rose highest to plant a header into the net for a 2-0 lead.  Within seconds Cappleman went clear and tried to lift the ball over Fox but could not get enough height on the ball and the keeper saved the effort.
 
The second half began with Skelton turning to fire just wide from 25 yards, whilst at the other end Briggs threw himself bravely into a header but had no reward other than a hefty collision with the home keeper.  As Town kept Hessle penned in their own half, Briggs hit a dipping effort which dropped just wide and Luntley got his head to a Bradshaw cross but Fox saved well.  When Hessle finally got back on the attack, Josh Lambert had a shot which was partially saved by Clark and then cleared off the line by Luntley.
 
A late challenge on Patterson brought Town a free kick but Cappleman's effort was blocked by the defensive wall, and the same player headed the ball over the bar from a Patterson cross.  Nelson also put in a good cross but Briggs could only head straight at the keeper, then Jamie Bradshaw beat two men and hit a powerful low drive which Fox gathered competently.
 
On 80 minutes Town constructed a good move down the right and Ricky Nock cut into the box only to be felled by a crude foul.  Patterson converted the penalty with ease to bring the score back to 2-1.  Town now moved up another gear and a Bradshaw shot was well saved as the home team began to panic.  Danny Collins and Cappleman both had shots which went too high as Town piled men forwards, and Luntley played the ball through to Cappleman whose sharp effort was well saved by Fox.  After a nervy last ten minutes Hessle held on for a win which they probably just deserved against a Town side who were a little below par on the day.
 
Town: Clark, Nock, Briggs (Collins 81), Darling, Gill, Patterson, Nelson, Pickles, Fryirs (Bradshaw 54), Cappleman, Luntley.
 

21st January 2012 - Humber Premier League - Scarborough Town 3 Driffield FC 0   
 
Scarborough Town returned to winning ways with a convincing 3-0 victory over Driffield FC to continue their promotion push in very windy conditions at McCain Sports Ground.
 
Town had the ball in the net within minutes, but the referee ruled that the ball had previously gone out of play.  Driffield then created a chance when Jamie Kitching got his head to a long swirling cross but home keeper Rob Clark saved comfortably.
 
On 8 minutes Jamie Patterson played a superb pass for Jamie Bradshaw to run onto, and although a last-ditch Driffield tackle seemed to have won the ball the referee decided to award a penalty which Patterson tucked away calmly to give Town the lead. 
 
Chris Nelson set up another chance for Bradshaw, and this time goalkeeper Mark Briggs pulled off a fine save at the near post. On 16 minutes Town went further ahead, Neil Fryirs showing great strength and determination to gain possession and head goalwards before confidently beating the keeper.
 
Driffield's Tom Spence gained a sight of goal but shot powerfully over the top, and as play switched back to the other end Ben Luntley raced away and drew the last defender before unselfishly setting up Fryirs for Town's third goal on 23 minutes.
 
Town kept the pressure on, and Luntley beat his marker but shot just too high, then good footwork from Aidan Thomas earned a chance which was blocked and a follow-up from Fryirs which was deflected away for a corner, the ball then being played low across the goalmouth without a Town player getting the decisive touch.
 
On the stroke of half time Driffield seemed to have pulled a goal back, a long cross being headed back across goal and nodded in from short range, but the effort was controversially disallowed for offside.
 
The second half began with Briggs producing a great save to deny Bradshaw, Nelson hit a drive just wide, then Luntley went clear but Briggs once again came to his side's rescue.  After a spell of neat passing, Patterson hit a 20-yarder which the Driffield keeper fingertipped onto the post and away.
 
Town were playing with confidence but over-elaborating at times, allowing Driffield to nick the ball and break away, however the home defence were positionally sound and rock solid in the challenge. The away side played good football in midfield at times, showing the confidence of only having lost once in their last six outings.
 Luntley powered a shot over the bar and Fryirs hit one straight at Briggs as Town tried to add to their tally, but at the other end Clark made a fine save from Chris Eyre.  Town substitute Lee Cappleman added some inventiveness up front and set up a chance for Luntley but Briggs saved again.  A late Driffield attack was ended by a great interception from Ricky Nock, and Town ended the game on the attack, Lewis Taylor having a shot blocked and Luntley narrowly missing the target. 
  
Town: Clark, Pickles, Briggs, Nock, Gill (Taylor 59), Patterson, Thomas, Nelson (Cappleman 75), Luntley, Fryirs, Bradshaw (Collins 75).

14th January 2012 - Humber Premier League - Brandesburton 3 Scarborough Town 0
 
After a run of thirteen league games unbeaten, Scarborough Town came up against a highly-motivated Brandesburton team who had already seen off Bransholme Athletic on their own patch.  Town boss Shaun Rennison had to reshuffle his team through injuries, but was able to welcome back Baz Gill after a lengthy lay-off and Rob Clark made his return between the posts.
 
On a pitch which had just been declared playable after the overnight frosts, Town were first to threaten with Jamie Bradshaw going away on the left and Chris Nelson motoring through on the right, but in both instances the long grass and uneven surface caused them problems in keeping the ball under control.
 
Brandesburton were awarded a free kick from 25 yards - the first of many unfathomable decisions during the game - but Tom Wilson's effort was pushed away by Clark.  Kris Tate then responded with a curling free kick for Town which just eluded his forwards.  On 19 minutes the home team took the lead when a long cross from the left was met by a firm header from a poorly-marked Sam Dixey.
 
Town almost levelled when Nelson got his head to a Bradshaw cross, but on 27 minutes Brandesburton broke away with two players chasing a long ball, Ash Rimmer nicked the ball past Clark and Steve Cook popped the loose ball into the net from a suspiciously offside position.  Things got even worse for Town when influential midfielder Jamie Patterson was forced off the field by an injury.
 
Ben Luntley was working hard in a slightly withdrawn position, and his astute pass sent Nelson away but his shot from a narrow angle went behind.  The home team were throwing themselves into every tackle and wasting no time moving the ball upfield, and a long punt was headed over Clark but Ben Briggs was covering well.  At the other end Nathan Otley, an ex-Scarborough Town Under -19 player, was rarely put under pressure but when he failed to collect a cross his defender was in the right place to clear Gill's effort off the line.
 
The second half began with another debatable free kick for the home team which was swung in, headed back across goal and headed into the net by Rimmer despite Town's claims that they were pushed and pulled out of position.  Cook could have added another, but he shot straight at Clark after having worked himself a good opening.
 
Town were sticking to their principles and trying to play their normal short passing game, but the awful pitch made things very difficult and Brandesburton kept up their high-tempo pressing to deny Town time and space.
 
A well-worked Brandesburton corner gave Pete Chatterton a sight of goal but his shot was straight at Clark, then Chris Fisher went through but shot wide from a tight angle.  However Town at last exerted some pressure and a half-cleared free kick came to debutant Lewis Taylor whose powerful shot was just too high.  Bradshaw then jinked his way past three defenders before unleashing a fierce shot which was blocked by a brave challenge.  Fisher was unlucky when his effort hit the inside of the Town post but stayed out, whilst a Neil Fryirs free kick curled just over the bar at the other end.
 
Luntley headed a Nelson cross goalwards but Otley was well positioned, then Bradshaw almost broke through but was denied by a superb tackle. With Town pushing up in search of at least a consolation goal, the home team broke away but Clark saved well, and Luntley had one final chance but put the ball wide under a firm challenge.
 
Town therefore remained scoreless for the first time this season but will hope to put things right when they entertain Driffield FC in a week's time.
 
Town: Clark, Nock, Gill, Briggs (Thomas 74), Fryirs, Patterson (Taylor 33), Tate, Nelson, Luntley, Collins (Rennison 55), Bradshaw.
 
 
 
 
 

7th January 2012 - Humber Premier League - Scarborough Town 9 Withernsea 1
 
Scarborough Town celebrated their 100th competitive fixture with yet another big win as they overpowered sixth-placed Withernsea. 
 
Town took the lead after only two minutes, Kris Tate stealing forward to blast home after Sean Exley had carved his way down the right wing.  Full-back Ricky Nock wasted no chance in getting forward and progressed down the wing to hit a low cross which Withernsea's Chris Hardcastle turned behind at the far post for a corner.  A foul by Tony Pickles gave the division's top scorer Nigel Newton a sight of goal, but his shot was straight at Darrol Lewis who gathered confidently.
 
A great through ball from Jamie Patterson sent Aidan Thomas away down the left but Jamie Bradshaw was unable to get on the end of the cross, then Bradshaw sent Nock away to provide a cross which Ben Luntley stretched to reach at the far post but was unable to convert.
 
Withernsea goalkeeper John Dunn came out smartly to dive at Luntley's feet, but Town's second goal was not delayed for long.  Luntley showed great strength to hold off his marker and send Bradshaw away to hit a low cross which Aidan Thomas converted at the far post  on 20 minutes.
 
Bradshaw looked offside when he went clear of the defence but he was foiled by a good block from Dunn, then a well-weighted ball from Patterson set up Thomas who drove the ball narrowly wide.
 
Town wrapped up the game with a three-goal salvo in three hectic first-half minutes.  With Town pressing high up the field, Withernsea defender Billy Hewitt mis-cued a clearance and Luntley sped clear to put Town 3-0 ahead.  Within two minutes the hesitant Hewitt was robbed by Exley who ran through and netted with assurance. From the re-start Town quickly gained possession and put together a fine passing move which saw Luntley get onto the end of a through ball to put Town five goals up with 31 minutes on the clock.
 
Exley was substituted for an injury, and, with one or two other Town players at less than full fitness, it was no surprise that the sense of urgency disappeared from their game for the remainder of the first half.
 
Substitutes Chris Nelson and Danny Collins upped the tempo of the game in the second period, and on 54 minutes Nelson cleverly burst through the defence to set up Thomas for Town's sixth goal.  Two minutes later Bradshaw bore down on the keeper but saw his effort blocked, only for Luntley to take possession and curl the ball sweetly inside the far post to complete a fine hat-trick - the first for Town this season.
 
Tate then set up Nelson whose long-range drive was saved by Dunn, but the keeper was undone after 69 minutes when he tried to use his feet but failed to keep possession and Luntley nicked the ball away to notch his fourth of the game.  Despite the scoreline Withernsea showed some neat football in patches and they kept their discipline well except for midfield Dan Frazer who earned the game's only yellow card after a series of late challenges.
 
Town seemed to have earned a penalty on 74 minutes but the referee gave a free kick on the edge of the box.  Neil Fryirs, who had been playing at left back, came up and hit the dead ball sweetly but just too high. Nelson wriggled through the visitors' back four again but Dunn came out to save from point-blank range.  Town were not to be denied their ninth goal however, when Tate sent Collins through to score without hesitation on 80 minutes.
 
Just when it seemed Withernsea were about to lose their fine record of having scored at least once in every game this season, Tom Finn got into a good position on 87 minutes and scored via the inside of the post.  Indeed, the visitors kept attacking and should perhaps have scored another but failed to hit the target from ten yards out.
 
Town thus maintained their hundred-per-cent home record with their ninth successive home win and kept the gap ahead of second-placed Bransholme Athletic at fourteen points.
 
Town: Lewis, Nock, Fryirs, Briggs, Pickles (Gill 70), Patterson (Collins 45), Thomas, Tate, Luntley, Bradshaw, Exley (Nelson 34)

 
17 Dec 2011 - Humber Premier League - Malet Lambert 0 Scarborough Town 5
 
Scarborough Town extended their lead at the top of the Humber Premier League Division One table to fourteen points by destroying  Malet Lambert's unbeaten home record and romping to a five-nil win.  With Ben Briggs, Kris Tate and Baz Gill unavailable, Town brought in Jason Darling for his first start in four months and Martyn Ferrey who had missed the last three games through injury.
 
Town went into the game aiming to score their 300th goal in competitive football since 2008, and when it came after only five minutes it was a goal worthy of the occasion.  Sean Exley's run was halted by a foul just outside the Malet penalty area, and Neil Fryirs stepped up to curl the ball over the wall and unstoppably into the top corner.  Malet Lambert played some neat one-touch football as Town accustomed themselves to the new 3G surface and keeper Darrol Lewis produced a fine save to a scorcher from Tom Cockerill.
 
Exley went clear of the home defence but was forced wide and could only shoot into the side netting, then Jamie Bradshaw held off a defender to release a powerful shot which was well saved by Dale Constable.  Town were then awarded a further free kick for a push just outside the penalty area, and this time Exley shot low and hard but saw his effort whistle past the post.
 
Town went 2-0 ahead on 21 minutes, Ryan Jackson played the ball out of defence to Fryirs who expertly shielded the ball away from his marker and progressed towards the area before laying off a superbly-weighted pass for Bradshaw to run in and hit the ball across the keeper into the bottom corner.
 
Malet Lambert constructed a period of pressure but were thwarted by an efficient Town defence marshalled by their outstanding skipper Ricky Nock.  The home side's best attempt was blocked by Lewis and cleared off the line by Tony Pickles, with Sam Hawksworth hitting the final chance over the bar.
 
The action soon returned to the other end, with an Exley pass reaching Fryirs who held off his man and worked his way into the area before being denied by a tremendous last-ditch tackle from full-back Ashley East.  Town had now adjusted to the pace of the pitch and an admirable passing move down the left ended when Bradshaw's cross was clutched by Constable at full stretch.  Town then forced three corners in quick succession but could not get the vital touch in front of goal.
 
The second half began with Malet Lambert's Danny Hudson going clear on the right and hitting the ball across goal but just wide, but that proved to be a rare moment of anxiety for the league leaders.  Ben Luntley was brought down to give Fryirs a chance to repeat his free kick wizardry, but on this occasion the effort was too high.    However a further free kick on 49 minutes was driven goalwards by Martyn Ferrey and parried by Constable to where the livewire Luntley clipped the ball into the net for Town's 3-0 lead.
 
Malet Lambert earned a corner which was glanced just wide by the head of their excellent centre-half Lee Macklin, but from then on the home team rarely had a sight of the Town goal.  On 57 minutes Ferrey split the defence with an astute pass to send Bradshaw away on the left, hitting the ball into the net at the near post despite the keeper's best efforts.  Five minutes later the score was 5-0 when a swirling corner from Bradshaw was met by the leap of Jason Darling at the far post.  The only way home defender Jack Start could stop Bradshaw's next run was with a scything foul on the touchline to earn a yellow card which could easily have been red.
 
With the job done, boss Sean Rennison rang the changes and used his three substitutes to reshuffle the team but was unfortunate when injury forced Jackson to leave the field and Town to see out the final 20 minutes with ten men.  However the visitors rarely looked perturbed as they extended their long unbeaten league run to twelve games and sent out a clear message to the rest of the teams in the league.
 
Town: Lewis, Jackson, Darling, Nock, Pickles, Patterson, Exley, Ferrey (Nelson 69), Luntley (Collins 69), Fryirs, Bradshaw (Thomas 69).
 

10 Dec 2011 - Humber Premier League - Scarborough Town 6 Scarborough Athletic 1
 
On a bitterly cold afternoon Scarborough Town turned on the style to  maintain their 100% home record in the league with a comprehensive victory over Scarborough Athletic Reserves.
 
After an evenly-balanced 10 minutes it was the visitors, who were on the back of an eight-game unbeaten run, who took the lead when Wilf Dinsdale's shot, which appeared to be going wide, was deflected past a helpless Darrol Lewis by John Price. From the restart Town went on the attack and were awarded a free kick in a dangerous position. Jamie Patterson's shot took a slight deflection and Marc Wain in the Athletic goal did well to hold on to the ball, low down to his left.
 
Patterson was then involved in Town's equaliser. His inch-perfect diagonal pass was taken down beautifully by Sean Exley whose first touch took him inside the full back. Exley charged into the box and his fierce drive across the keeper found the back of the net. Town were lifted by the strike and started to take control of the game. Neil Fryirs held off a number of challenges before forcing  a corner. Athletic failed to clear the corner properly but Ryan Jackson hit his 22-yard volley straight at Wain.
 
On 17 minutes, Exley, who had been hugging the right touch line, cut infield and rode a couple of challenges to feed Fryirs but he fired over from a good position. Two minutes later it was Fryirs' turn to be provider. Exley latched onto his pass and charged into the box and appeared to be scythed down by Dom Richardson but to everyone's amazement the referee waved play on. Town continued to have the better of things and were then awarded what appeared to be a soft penalty when Jamie Bradshaw went down in the box. Kris Tate stepped up and coolly slotted the ball home, sending Wain the wrong way to put own 2-1 ahead.
 
Just after the half hour mark Athletic finally managed a period of pressure.  Ryan Jackson was forced into a diving clearance after good play from Dom Richardson and  Callum Reid.  The resulting corner caused panic in the Town six-yard box before it was put out for another corner from which James Webb headed over. More good work down the left saw Reid put a good ball into the Town box but there was no one there to provide the finish.
 
Athletic's period of pressure was short-lived and on 39 minutes Town won a free kick in a central position 25 yards out. Sean Exley looked favourite to take it but Neil Fryirs stepped up and curled a beautiful shot into the top corner of the net despite the best efforts of Wain in the Athletic goal. Town were certainly the better team in the first half and deserved their 3-1 lead at the break.
 
The second half started with Town on the front foot and they created a number of chances before Kris Tate made it four. Jamie Bradshaw took a short corner to Tate who ran unchallenged into the box before smashing the ball home. By now Town were well on top  and started to carve open the Athletic defence. A Bradshaw cross fell to Jamie Patterson but his goal-bound effort was blocked and Wain saved well with his feet after the rebound fell to Fryirs.
 
Bradshaw was causing problems down the right flank and he fed Jamie Patterson on the edge of the Athletic box. Patterson held the ball up and the fed Ben Briggs but he scuffed his shot under pressure from the defender. Bradshaw was involved again a few minutes later and  should have done better after skipping past the full back, cutting into the box but his touch was heavy allowing Wain to mop up.
Ben Luntley  pounced on a mix-up in the Athletic defence but his ball across the box evaded everyone however it was kept in play by substitute Danny Collins who rolled the ball back to Patterson but his effort was blocked.
 
Patterson was back in the action moments later when he failed to get on the end of a deep cross. Collins was on hand once more but Wain somehow blocked with his shoulder to send the ball out for a corner. From the corner Briggs scored his first goal for the club with a bullet of a header to make the score 5-1. Athletic's Ben Slade was shown a red card for foul and abusive language as the game threatened to boil over.
 
Aiden Thomas, who had started the season with Athletic, was brought on as substitute for Town and he was straight into action holding off three defenders before playing the ball to Patterson  whose shot was deflected wide for a corner. Town were making good use of the extra man and moved the ball quickly from one side of the pitch to the other, and after a period of possession Wain reacted quickly to beat Sean Exley to the ball.
 
Town seemed to be creating chances at will. Wain pulled off an acrobatic save to his left to deny Collins and minutes later Collins turned and his curling shot beat Wain but came back off the bar. Sean Exley made it 6-1 with another fierce shot  from 12 yards and Wain again denied Collins by blocking well with his feet.
 
In the end this was another comprehensive victory for Town who now sit 12 points clear at the top of the division. 
  
  Town: Lewis, Nock, Jackson, Pickles, Briggs, Exley, Tate (Nelson 75), Patterson, Bradshaw, Luntley (Thomas 70), Fryirs (Collins 60).

 
3 December 2011 - Humber Premier League - Hessle United 3 Scarborough Town 4
 
Scarborough Town had to battle hard to come away from Hessle with all three points on a bumpy, unkempt and wind-swept pitch.  With both regular central defenders out of action, Town boss Sean Rennison donned his boots for his first start of the season.
 
Free kicks from Kris Tate and Ben Briggs caused the home team some anxiety, but Gareth Lewis was the first of the keepers to be tested when he had to dive at the feet of Danny Upsom.  Rennison made a brave header to prevent a Hessle chance, but the resultant wind-assisted corner from Luke Sherwood found the top corner of the Town net to put the home side ahead. A tricky run from Jamie Bradshaw set up a scramble in front of the opposite goal, with the same player hitting the side netting when the ball came back to him.
 
An overlapping run from Ricky Nock ended with a low cross which home keeper Ben Hamilton gathered well, but at the other end a long free kick was volleyed over from a narrow angle by Ben Sherwood.  Neat work from Ben Luntley allowed Neil Fryirs to muscle past his defender but he was forced too wide to be able to release a shot.  A Tate free kick was headed back across goal by Rennison but Hamilton grasped the ball in the nick of time.
 
Hessle's direct style created the first chance of the second period, but Lewis saved well from Ben Sherwood.  Town then turned up the pressure and kept Hessle penned into their own area, with a Fryirs corner headed over by Jamie Patterson and a further corner headed down by Rennison but cleared off the line by United's Bobby Upsom.  Bradshaw shot wide after good work from Aidan Thomas and Patterson, and when Luntley beat Hamiton in a race for the ball Town eventually netted but the effort was disallowed for an offside decision.
 
A snapshot from Ben Sherwood passed high and wide, then a long pass from Patterson saw Sean Exley hit the ball first time but straight at Hamilton.  Town's superiority finally paid off on 63 minutes when a series of half-chances in front of the Hessle goal ended with Patterson slamming the ball into the net.  Six minutes later Neil Fryirs took possession 30 yards out and held off two challenges to score into the bottom corner from the edge of the box to put Town 2-1 ahead.
 
On 78 minutes Fryirs nodded the ball on to Exley who found the net with a low shot to increase Town's lead and perhaps put the game beyond Hessle's reach.  However within four minutes a high cross came into the Town penalty area and the referee's whistle sounded - after much confusion it became clear that he had awarded Hessle a penalty for an off-the-ball push which had gone unnoticed by everyone else.  Bobby Upsom calmly scored from 12 yards to reduce the arrears, yet one minute later Jamie Bradshaw made good progress on the left wing and centred for Danny Collins to put Town 4-2 ahead.
 
On 85 minutes the admirable Upson hit a stunning long-range effort to net United's third goal, and there was still time for an Exley header to be cleared off the line and for Lewis to tip over a deflected twenty-yarder from Callum Dorsett.
 
Town: Lewis, Jackson, Briggs (Darling 81), Nock, Rennison, Patterson, Thomas (Exley 57), Tate, Luntley, Fryirs (Collins 79), Bradshaw.