Shipley College 4-2 Harrogate College
Wednesday 6th February 2013 - BCS League – Salts FC – Attendance: 8 (1 Visitor)
By Joshua Chapman
A cold and windy afternoon saw Harrogate College, who came into the tie bottom of the league losing all of their four games to date visit Salts for what became a six pointer following the weather causing a fixture backlog that even local cup kings Bradford City would struggle to handle.
The hosts came into the tie second in the league and clear favourites for the match despite missing regulars such as Mohamed Islam and Simon Gelder from the starting XI and dropping left back Shabul Ali to the substitute’s bench. Callum Sheriff found himself partnering James Atkinson in attack with Glenn Clements filling in at right back due to the absence of Mohamed Islam.
The game got underway following a delay to kick off due to the visitor’s late arrival with the conditions playing a part as the muddy surface and strong wind made the on the floor flowing football that Shipley have played fantastically well at times throughout the season somewhat impossible and in the early stages this showed as Harrogate dominated in the air and nearly took the lead as they beat Jason Greenwood in the Shipley goal but unfortunately hit the inside of the post.
Shipley then broke the deadlock as James Atkinson put the ball narrowly wide of the far post before moments later the hosts took the lead. Star winger Matty Schofield picked up the ball down the right wing turning defenders inside out with some beautiful wing play before cutting inside and putting in what can only be described as a peach of a cross before Callum Sheriff headed home unmarked to give Shipley the lead.
Twenty minutes of sloppy play and tough tackling followed. This was shown best as Annique Shaheen found himself in the book following a rough tackle on his opposite number. Some sloppy defensive play saw the visitors awarded a penalty moment later. But much to the surprise of everybody, none of the outfield players fancied it and up came the goalkeeper. The keeper calmly tucked home into the bottom corner leaving Jason Greenwood stranded in the middle of his goal. Bringing the visitors level and then a defensive error from Daniel Lewis saw his clearance deflect off the Harrogate striker but luckily also over the bar, this was the last action before the half time break.
Shipley’s answer to Mario Balotelli, Shabul Ali came on for Glenn Clements at the half time break, however it didn’t go so well at the back for a moment. A long hoof forward saw the Shipley defence shut off and allowed the visitors to take an undeserved lead much to the dismay of manager Mike Garrod. The lead didn’t last for long after some more fantastic wing play, this time by Ryan Whitfield saw the ball played into the feet of Callum Sheriff who fantastically placed his finish to grab his second and bring the game level once again.
Shipley then survived a penalty Michael Dalton took to the field in place of Cameron Slater and from the corner taken by Shipley; we had a moment that not just embarrasses the Harrogate defender but football itself. Moments after losing the ball to James Atkinson he threw himself to the ground and cried wolf in a moment of pure diving stupidity what would even make Luis Suarez look ashamed with the actions involved.
The game then went quiet for a ten minute spell in which the only highlight was Glenn Clements returning to the field to replace Walee Malik and with the free kick that followed the substitution the ball came to the feet of James Atkinson who then fantastically pulled out a Cruyff Turn to leave the defender stranded as he shot from distance with the ball shaking the crossbar as it bounced down into the goal to restore the Shipley lead.
Dexter in the Harrogate goal then pulled off a fantastic save after Matty Schofield curled the ball in the direction of the top right corner of the goal before Cameron Slater retook to the field to replace Annique Shaheen who was subbed off before he was sent off following another warning from the referee after his booking in the first half.
Then Harrogate’s number six who had embarrassed himself earlier with his pathetic dive then decided to turn dirty, following a dangerous two footed challenge on Ryan Whitfield he preceded to kick Ryan in the face and throw a couple of cheap elbows much to the outrage of the Shipley bench and his teammates and this started a brawl on the field of play with the Referee, Linesman and Shipley Manager having to take to the field to break it up.
The referee following the brawl issued a yellow card to Shipley defender Glenn Clements and then in an embarrassing mix up went to send off the Harrogate culprit’s twin brother before realising his error and giving the correct twin his marching orders for starting off the heated scrap between the two sides.
Just seconds later though, Shipley found themselves through on goal as Callum Sheriff went one on one with Dexter, calmly tapping the ball home from two yards to wrap up the home sides victory and in the process making sure he would be taking home the matchball and all the plaudits. The game then pattered out for the final two minutes and the game was brought to an end with Shipley claiming the six points on offer and in the process replacing local rivals Keighley at the top of the league.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Jason Greenwood – 6 – He, like his defence could have done a lot better for the visitors second. Apart from that was rarely called into action by a lacklustre Harrogate side.
Glenn Clements – 6.5 – Didn’t look comfortable at right back in the first half & was brought off for Shabul at half time. If it wasn’t for his reasonably strong display upon returning to the field in the second half would have been rated lower.
Dhaniel Mahmood – 7.5 – The captain & leader gave a solid display as usual at the back. However, he was caught out at the back as was the rest of his defence for the second goal.
Daniel Lewis - 7 - Nearly cost the team dearly when his poor clearance smashed off the Harrogate forward, luckily going over the crossbar & was caught for the second goal with the rest of the defence. However, showed his usual self in the second half dominating in the air & making sure Jason had not a lot of work to do in the last 40 minutes.
Walee Malik – 6 – Didn’t have much to do & lost his position a few times. Made some good defensive tackles though before being substituted.
Matty Schofield – 8 – Caused the Harrogate full backs all sort of problems throughout playing in some wonderful balls from crosses & set pieces. Ran his socks off & gave his all as always.
Cameron Slater – 7 – Held his own in a physical battle in the middle of the park & played some good football in the difficult conditions presented to him.
Annique Shaheen – 7- The tough tackling midfielder, sometimes too tough had a solid display in the middle of the park. Unfortunately for him he had to be subbed off before he was sent off.
Ryan Whitfield – 6.5 – Quiet at times down the left wing, showed his ability when presented the ball though. Will be showing scars following his tough treatment by the rightfully dismissed Harrogate right back.
James Atkinson – 6.5 – Dimitar Berbatov’s lost long English son. Well, that’s what I hope his excuse for being so lazy yet when required producing such brilliance. Doesn’t work for the ball and moans when it’s not played into his feet. Would have been a lower mark if it wasn’t for his well taken goal.
Callum Sheriff – 9 – MOTM – Fought through the pain of a knee injury to bag himself a hat trick in an inspired display. Chased every ball, for the record the hat trick was a rarity of a perfect hat-trick.
SUBSTITUTES:
Shabul Ali – 6 – Our answer to Mario Balotelli can certainly talk the talk, however on this occasion couldn’t walk the walk. However, he played some fantastic stuff on one or two occasions down the wing in the sides dominant display following going 2-1 down.
Michael Dalton – 5 – Came off the bench mid way through the second half & didn’t offer much to the game. At times forgot he was on the pitch.
Wednesday 6th February 2013 - BCS League – Salts FC – Attendance: 8 (1 Visitor)
By Joshua Chapman
A cold and windy afternoon saw Harrogate College, who came into the tie bottom of the league losing all of their four games to date visit Salts for what became a six pointer following the weather causing a fixture backlog that even local cup kings Bradford City would struggle to handle.
The hosts came into the tie second in the league and clear favourites for the match despite missing regulars such as Mohamed Islam and Simon Gelder from the starting XI and dropping left back Shabul Ali to the substitute’s bench. Callum Sheriff found himself partnering James Atkinson in attack with Glenn Clements filling in at right back due to the absence of Mohamed Islam.
The game got underway following a delay to kick off due to the visitor’s late arrival with the conditions playing a part as the muddy surface and strong wind made the on the floor flowing football that Shipley have played fantastically well at times throughout the season somewhat impossible and in the early stages this showed as Harrogate dominated in the air and nearly took the lead as they beat Jason Greenwood in the Shipley goal but unfortunately hit the inside of the post.
Shipley then broke the deadlock as James Atkinson put the ball narrowly wide of the far post before moments later the hosts took the lead. Star winger Matty Schofield picked up the ball down the right wing turning defenders inside out with some beautiful wing play before cutting inside and putting in what can only be described as a peach of a cross before Callum Sheriff headed home unmarked to give Shipley the lead.
Twenty minutes of sloppy play and tough tackling followed. This was shown best as Annique Shaheen found himself in the book following a rough tackle on his opposite number. Some sloppy defensive play saw the visitors awarded a penalty moment later. But much to the surprise of everybody, none of the outfield players fancied it and up came the goalkeeper. The keeper calmly tucked home into the bottom corner leaving Jason Greenwood stranded in the middle of his goal. Bringing the visitors level and then a defensive error from Daniel Lewis saw his clearance deflect off the Harrogate striker but luckily also over the bar, this was the last action before the half time break.
Shipley’s answer to Mario Balotelli, Shabul Ali came on for Glenn Clements at the half time break, however it didn’t go so well at the back for a moment. A long hoof forward saw the Shipley defence shut off and allowed the visitors to take an undeserved lead much to the dismay of manager Mike Garrod. The lead didn’t last for long after some more fantastic wing play, this time by Ryan Whitfield saw the ball played into the feet of Callum Sheriff who fantastically placed his finish to grab his second and bring the game level once again.
Shipley then survived a penalty Michael Dalton took to the field in place of Cameron Slater and from the corner taken by Shipley; we had a moment that not just embarrasses the Harrogate defender but football itself. Moments after losing the ball to James Atkinson he threw himself to the ground and cried wolf in a moment of pure diving stupidity what would even make Luis Suarez look ashamed with the actions involved.
The game then went quiet for a ten minute spell in which the only highlight was Glenn Clements returning to the field to replace Walee Malik and with the free kick that followed the substitution the ball came to the feet of James Atkinson who then fantastically pulled out a Cruyff Turn to leave the defender stranded as he shot from distance with the ball shaking the crossbar as it bounced down into the goal to restore the Shipley lead.
Dexter in the Harrogate goal then pulled off a fantastic save after Matty Schofield curled the ball in the direction of the top right corner of the goal before Cameron Slater retook to the field to replace Annique Shaheen who was subbed off before he was sent off following another warning from the referee after his booking in the first half.
Then Harrogate’s number six who had embarrassed himself earlier with his pathetic dive then decided to turn dirty, following a dangerous two footed challenge on Ryan Whitfield he preceded to kick Ryan in the face and throw a couple of cheap elbows much to the outrage of the Shipley bench and his teammates and this started a brawl on the field of play with the Referee, Linesman and Shipley Manager having to take to the field to break it up.
The referee following the brawl issued a yellow card to Shipley defender Glenn Clements and then in an embarrassing mix up went to send off the Harrogate culprit’s twin brother before realising his error and giving the correct twin his marching orders for starting off the heated scrap between the two sides.
Just seconds later though, Shipley found themselves through on goal as Callum Sheriff went one on one with Dexter, calmly tapping the ball home from two yards to wrap up the home sides victory and in the process making sure he would be taking home the matchball and all the plaudits. The game then pattered out for the final two minutes and the game was brought to an end with Shipley claiming the six points on offer and in the process replacing local rivals Keighley at the top of the league.
PLAYER RATINGS:
Jason Greenwood – 6 – He, like his defence could have done a lot better for the visitors second. Apart from that was rarely called into action by a lacklustre Harrogate side.
Glenn Clements – 6.5 – Didn’t look comfortable at right back in the first half & was brought off for Shabul at half time. If it wasn’t for his reasonably strong display upon returning to the field in the second half would have been rated lower.
Dhaniel Mahmood – 7.5 – The captain & leader gave a solid display as usual at the back. However, he was caught out at the back as was the rest of his defence for the second goal.
Daniel Lewis - 7 - Nearly cost the team dearly when his poor clearance smashed off the Harrogate forward, luckily going over the crossbar & was caught for the second goal with the rest of the defence. However, showed his usual self in the second half dominating in the air & making sure Jason had not a lot of work to do in the last 40 minutes.
Walee Malik – 6 – Didn’t have much to do & lost his position a few times. Made some good defensive tackles though before being substituted.
Matty Schofield – 8 – Caused the Harrogate full backs all sort of problems throughout playing in some wonderful balls from crosses & set pieces. Ran his socks off & gave his all as always.
Cameron Slater – 7 – Held his own in a physical battle in the middle of the park & played some good football in the difficult conditions presented to him.
Annique Shaheen – 7- The tough tackling midfielder, sometimes too tough had a solid display in the middle of the park. Unfortunately for him he had to be subbed off before he was sent off.
Ryan Whitfield – 6.5 – Quiet at times down the left wing, showed his ability when presented the ball though. Will be showing scars following his tough treatment by the rightfully dismissed Harrogate right back.
James Atkinson – 6.5 – Dimitar Berbatov’s lost long English son. Well, that’s what I hope his excuse for being so lazy yet when required producing such brilliance. Doesn’t work for the ball and moans when it’s not played into his feet. Would have been a lower mark if it wasn’t for his well taken goal.
Callum Sheriff – 9 – MOTM – Fought through the pain of a knee injury to bag himself a hat trick in an inspired display. Chased every ball, for the record the hat trick was a rarity of a perfect hat-trick.
SUBSTITUTES:
Shabul Ali – 6 – Our answer to Mario Balotelli can certainly talk the talk, however on this occasion couldn’t walk the walk. However, he played some fantastic stuff on one or two occasions down the wing in the sides dominant display following going 2-1 down.
Michael Dalton – 5 – Came off the bench mid way through the second half & didn’t offer much to the game. At times forgot he was on the pitch.