Head Boy secures away day joy

“Head boy secures away day joy”
Malton School 1-3 Harrogate Grammar
Thursday 16th October 2008
NYS County Cup First Round

Reporter: Daniel Birch at Malton

A superb double from Head Boy, James Auckland and a neat finish by captain, Tom Joel secured a solid 3-1 victory against Malton to help HGS into the second round of the Senior County Cup.

A squad of thirteen players made the trip that seemed like forever to the small dales town which was a part of Yorkshire, largely unknown to the team.
Only a victory would suffice in this important game. A win could perhaps be something to build upon. After the unlucky defeat against St Cuthbert’s a fortnight earlier, in the English Schools Cup, HGS were desperate to get it right on the park.
Off the park had been a more complex issue. Most of the team had failed to attend the previous days training – a situation that infuriated Manager, Adrian Hodgson. Match day absentees also included key player, Sam Bainbridge, long term injury victim, Sam Reffitt and midfield duo, Alex Collett and Tom Shiel who both stumbled to the demands of Work and driving lessons.

The team were however positive on the way to Malton and were confident they could pick up a victory. The manager made a good showing of team spirit by allowing the players to pick up some pre-match nourishment at the nearby, Jackson’s store in the town.
The players got into their stride almost immediately as the Cup clash began with right back, Dan Smith hitting the crossbar with a fine shot. Keen to build on that early chance, Grammar started to play some lovely on-the-ground football but were thwarted by a reckless Malton side that started to make a nuisance of themselves. Striker, James Auckland had two early penalty appeals turned down and defensive midfielder Tobin Carey Williams also inexplicably was brought down by a Malton player clutching his leg while on the deck!

Grammar eventually got the break with Tom Joel hitting a fine pass through to James Auckland who made no mistake hitting it past the keeper on the one-on-one.
Eventually more chances arrived for Grammar with Tom Joel having a fine chance on a one-on-one before hitting it straight at the keeper. Henry Weemes also found himself in this situation, thought what was a bit more difficult was having had to control the ball with his weaker foot before hitting the ball wide. HGS also made some important challenges at the back in the first half with James Taylor making a crunch tackle on the edge of the box saving the team from conceding a vital chance.

Grammar went into the half time lead, eagerly satisfied and keen to get a few more goals. Sadly, the team had to wait a while as Malton started to push themselves out a bit. Stuart Procter was called on to make an important save at his near post to deny a good goal scoring opportunity. Grammar were however able to make yet another break with good midfield play seeing Weemes slot it to Joel who finished home beautifully.

Malton weren’t done yet though and got another goal back after a cross into the box saw Anderson completely miss kicking the ball allowing the man at the back post behind him to slot it past Procter. To equal the argument, Taylor and Holgate were too far forward at this point.

This put Grammar undeservedly under pressure but they sealed the win thanks to another from Auckland who hit the ball home from a Ben Dyason shot rebounded off the keeper.

HGS are now through to the second round of this competition where they will play either King James’s or Rossett at home.

HGS:
S.Procter, D.Smith, J.Taylor, L.Anderson, E.Holgate, B.Dyason, T.Carey-Williams, S.Cox, T.Joel, J.Auckland, H.Weemes
Substitutes: Max Sharp (for James Auckland), Dan Birch (for Ed Holgate)