BEDLINGTON TERRIERS 4 Crook Town 4
The fans who turned up were treated to a Easter Bank holiday goals bonanza.
It was the Children’s day at the Terriers where youngsters and parents turned to raise funds for the new Terriers junior teams, in which we hope will be a new era for both the club and the town, it is hoped through this partnership that the young people of the town get the opportunity to train and receive coaching which will eventually allow them to play at the highest level possible and also increase the number of local lads playing for the senior side.
They must have enjoyed the number of goals that were scored even though they will be little disappointed with the Terriers losing a 2 goal lead in the closing few minutes of the game.
It was a warm day and for the first 15 minutes both teams showed an attacking attitude with attempts at both ends. It was the Terriers who took the lead after 27 minutes when Lee Scott converted a well taken penalty after Tunstall had handled. It was nearly 2 nil when Kyle Oliver went close after a good move involving Lee Scott and Sam Norris. After 32 mins Crook were level when Holliday scored after being put through by Pigg, this gained a quick response by the Terriers when a minute later Lee Scott with sheer determination got on to a ball 12 yards out and crashed an unstoppable shot past Lawson. After 41 mins it was 2 2 when Johnson got in a shot which looked as though it was well saved by Jack Wells in the Terriers goal only to see it trickle into the corner of the net. It was all square at half time.
For the first few minutes after the break Crook were on top but Terriers had the perfect answer when Lee Scott headed on for Sam Norris to score from 20 yards with an excellent shot over the keeper. Holliday was always causing problems for the visitors with his dangerous crosses and Chris Armstrong and Paul Wardle had to work hard to keep the visitors forwards at bay. After 65 mins it was 4 2 to the Terriers when Chris Armstrong forced home a corner and shortly afterwards it was nearly 5 when Kyle Oliver just shot wide after a great piece of individual skill. Crook’s keeper was keeping them in the game with a great double save from Lee Scott and Sam Norris when he blocked their shots from close range in an attack. The Terriers were made to pay when Crook’s best player Holliday crashed home a great volley from 12 yards after 79 mins. The Terriers were now holding on and Crook equalised when a smart turn by Pigg was rewarded with a goal from 12 yards. 4 4. Terriers pressed and on 90 + 1minutes Lee Scott nearly got the winner when he had a great shot equally well saved by Lawson in the Crook goal.
An entertaining game surely enjoyed by all if not the result that the Terriers wanted, but if we get goals and entertainment back I am sure we will see a better support through the gate next season.
TEAM WELLS, LOCKE, ARMSTRONG, WARDLE, DOBSON, GRAHAM, McMAHON, HALLIDAY, OLIVER (capt), NORRIS, SCOTT. Subs SCARTH FOR GRAHAM 45mins, LOWERY for HALLIDAY 71 mins
subs not used STEWART (gk), SOMERVILLE, ATKINSON