Atherton Collieries 0 Newcastle Town 3

I doubt that anyone from the Newcastle camp could have wished for a better result. This maintained their record of winning the last three games and therefore getting nine points. What is also pleasing is the clean sheet they achieved, with overall six goals for and one against. This was Newcastle’s third away game on the bounce. They had achieved six points and today’s result has set the team up for the visit to Congleton.

Nick Wellecomme has joined Stafford Rangers. From all accounts he is in the starting eleven today. We wish him well and thank him for all he has done for the club.

Regarding team selection, Karl Espley picked up a slight groin strain on Tuesday evening and to ere on the safe side Greg has put him on the bench. Andy Bourne has taken his place and Alistair brown has gone to right back with Anthony Marshall in the starting eleven for some time.

Newcastle had the advantage of the slope and the wind in the first half. Both teams made a tentative start. Newcastle gained the first corner and the ball broke to Rob Drummond who put Andy Bourne in but his shot was wide. Anthony Marshall got possession on the right, cut inside but his shot went wide. Newcastle gained two corners in quick succession which was testimony to their desire to force the game. They did just that. Newcastle were awarded a free kick about half way in the Atherton area. Martin Ridley took the kick and the referee awarded a penalty for the visitors. . In the ninth minute Simon Eldershaw took the spot kick and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to put Newcastle in front. To say the least the decision looked a little harsh.

This was one of several decisions made by the referee and Barry Massey was in earnest discussion with him for some time regarding issues not advantageous to his side.

Martin Ridley was involved some minutes later when a subsequent free kick just shaved the angle of post and bar. Newcastle were relishing their domination when in the twenty first minute a ball was played out of defence, flicked on by Simon Eldershaw to Ben Mills who looked to be going wide but he dragged the ball back, turned and found the bottom right corner to put Newcastle in front by two goals.

Atherton were resorting to a harsh physical approach and it was in response to this that Dorian berated the referee for not taking any action. With the result that he was asked to leave the technical area. The game appeared to drifting away from the referee’s control but in the thirty sixth minute he promptly booked Barry Massey for encroaching on a free kick. Something he had done on several occasions.

Half Time: Atherton Collieries 0 Newcastle Town 2

Newcastle clearly had the advantage in the first half but how much was down to the slope and the wind and how much to superior play? Would a two goal advantage be sufficient? The next goal would be decisive.

Within a few minutes of the restart Andy Bourne laid the ball off to Rob Drummond, collected the return but his shot was wide. Newcastle were certainly in the mood to add to their goal tally. They did this in the fifty third minute. Martin Ridley played the ball up to Simon Eldershaw who persevered, took his time and slotted the ball home to get the decisive third goal. Newcastle were now in the driving seat and only minutes later a goal bound flick from Simon Eldershaw was tipped away for a corner.

In the fifty sixth minute John Sheldon replaced Martin Ridley and Atherton replaced Andy Barker with Dave Conlon.

Newcastle were in the hunt for more goals with Andy Bourne heading just over. The game was beginning to get scrappy as Atherton were getting more physical and it was starting to snow.

In the sixty fifth minute Atherton brought on Danny Shannon for David Bourne. A ploy no doubt to bring more organisation into their play. On seventy minutes Newcastle replaced Daryl Wilkes with Russell Gibbons who went to left back with Rob Drummond moving to midfield.

At this stage the referee was not allowing the game to flow. He was being too officious, picking on issues that stopped the game but did not add to good conduct and well being of the players. This did not help with the continuity of the game in any respect. It only led to confusion and to continual disruptions.

At the end of the game Newcastle had gained three points and all the Newcastle spectators were overjoyed with the result.

Glossop Nth End 0 Newcastle Town 1

Three points gained at Glossop is no mean feat. They are a very competent outfit and to come away with a win is credit to everyone involved. Six points from two away games is not only a credit to all involved but there is the knowledge that they can do no more so far as league points are concerned.

Greg turned out much the same team as Saturday but Mat Bradbury was in for Steve Elks and Simon Eldershaw for Richard Minor who had a two match ban. So the team appeared to be adopting a 4 4 2 system.

It was imperative that they continue in the same way as they finished on Saturday. There is a sharp contrast between the ground tonight and the ground at Atherton. Glossop’s pitch looked somewhat firmer but a little uneven in places.

Preparation was not all it should have been due to traffic congestion on the motorway. The team arrived only thirty minutes before the kick off.

Doubtless Glossop were optimistic despite having lost on Saturday to Salford. Apparently they had the majority of the play but they were unable to put away their chances. By all accounts they were unlucky to lose. But that’s football!

Almost straight from the kick off Ian Willis conceded a free kick. Glossop wasted the kick. Newcastle responded immediately, a good cross by Martin Ridley was collected by Ben Mills who shot on the turn but it was put out for a corner by the Glossop ’keeper. Newcastle had started positively and Martin was in action again. He volleyed just wide from a cross by Alistair Brown. It was pleasing to see the efforts the Newcastle players were making to be first to the ball.

On eleven minutes Newcastle’s dominance paid dividends. A long kick by John Ritchie was headed on by Ben Mills to Simon Eldershaw who found the bottom right hand corner. This was the spur the Newcastle players needed. Minutes later Simon made a great run, crossed hard and low but the ball just evaded Ben Mills. Newcastle’s tactic of turning the Glossop defence was working a treat at this stage.

Glossop came back strongly and John Ritchie was forced to punch to clear his lines. Glossop kept up the pressure and Alistair Brown got in a strong block tackle to halt a positive attack. The Newcastle play was breaking down because of their inability to string together more than two passes and they were trying to rush things. Glossop were moving well and Jay Gorton’s shot was turned away for a corner. The same player shot high and wide from the corner.

Newcastle came back through Simon Eldershaw whose header was well saved. Martin Ridley had a speculative shot which lacked power. At the other end Rob Drummond was forced to give away a corner. Newcastle were living dangerously. The ball was bobbling about in their penalty area but they eventually managed to clear their lines.

Newcastle quickly turned defence into attack and Alistair Brown had a shot saved. Minutes later Ben Mills had what looked like the best chance of the game. His perseverance took him clear of the defenders and he was presented with an open net, unfortunately he put the ball across the goal.

Half time: Glossop Nth End 0 Newcastle Town 1

Everyone connected with Newcastle was hoping they would maintain their lead, or add to it. Glossop made a substitution at the start of the second half bringing on Lee Evans for Sam Hind who picked up an injury in the first half.

Alistair Brown had a shot on the run which was tipped over for a corner. On fifty one minutes Newcastle Brought on Nick Wellecomme for Ian Willis who did not appear to be one hundred per cent. Newcastle were finding room out wide. This time Martin Ridley was fouled and he put the free kick just over.

On sixty minutes Dean Gillick was cautioned for supposedly kicking the ball away when it looked for all the world that he put the ball out of play. Minutes later Ben Mills and Rick Bailey were booked after being involved in a minor altercation. What followed was most bizarre. Jay Gorton kicked the ball away but the referee took no action, much to Dorian’s consternation. A further example of the referee’s inconsistency.

At this stage Glossop were building their attacks down there left wing and to some extent this played into Newcastle’s hands. But they were certainly forcing the pace. Rob Drummond nearly put his side in trouble when instead of clearing the ball he tried to beat two Glossop players. The ball was quickly cleared.

On seventy eight minutes Andy Bourne replaced Simon Eldershaw. Minutes later Karl Espley made a good saving header almost directly beneath the Newcastle bar. On eighty six minutes Anthony Marshall replaced Karl Espley who appeared to have a groin strain, fingers crossed for the weekend.

The referee played a generous amount of injury time. He and he alone knew where it had come from.

What matters is that Newcastle came away with a win and three points which were due in no small way to the fitness, dedication and desire of the team.

Newcastle Town 2 Salford City 2

To the neutral spectator a two all draw would appear to be the correct result for two top of the table sides. Newcastle are more disappointed with this score line than are Salford. For Newcastle to finish as runners up, not only will they have to win every game but they will hope that Trafford and particularly Salford will encounter a few banana skins as this season winds up.

Technically this game has no more significance than any other game during the season. But try telling that to the players, staff and spectators of Newcastle Town. Trafford are top and by all accounts out of sight. Salford are second and have a game in hand. A Newcastle win would put them two points in front of Salford. A draw would be more favourable to Salford. A defeat for Newcastle is unthinkable, so far as second place is concerned.

Regarding team selection there is only one change from the eleven which started at Congleton. Daryl Wilkes is unavailable so Andy Bourne takes his shirt. On the bench there are several changes. We welcome Paul McMahon back to the club. He wears the number fourteen shirt and Steve Elks wears number twelve.

It was certainly a change to have a good surface to play on but the wind and rain could pose problems and may spoil the game.

The game was only three minutes old when a penalty appeal against Salford was upheld. Simon Eldershaw took the spot kick and drew first blood for Newcastle. Salford were unaffected by this and from the restart they had a free kick which was miss punched by John Ritchie but cleared by Andy Bourne.

On ten minutes Jon Robinson was cautioned. From a Martin Ridley free kick Matt Bradbury headed across goal but Ben Mill’s over head kick was just over the bar. At the other end Jon Robinson had a snap shot which John Ritchie turned round the post. At this stage Salford were keeping the ball better and were coming to terms with the conditions. It was in a period such as this they equalised. A cross from deep by Steve Brackenridge was headed back by Jon Robinson and Tommy Turner headed the ball into the back of the Newcastle net on twenty minutes. The defence should really have done better.

Salford were putting their passes together whereas Newcastle were trying to rush things. From a corner there was a definite hand ball from a Salford defender but the referee was unsighted through bad positioning.

Lathan Forrester was seeing a lot of the ball but there was no end product. To his credit he did not give the ball away. It is fair to say, at the risk of repetition, that Salford were adapting to the conditions far better than were Newcastle.

Half Time: Newcastle Town 1 Salford City 1

The ease which Salford came back into the game must have been food for thought for the Newcastle bench at half time. Anthony Marshall replaced Martin Ridley from the restart. On forty seven minutes Jon Robinson got in front of his marker and put a glancing header past John Ritchie. Salford’s lead was short lived. On fifty three minutes Newcastle were awarded a penalty. Richard Minor gained possession on the left wing, cut inside and was tripped. Simon Eldershaw took his second penalty and put Newcastle back on level terms.

Considering the ease with which Salford scored their goals Newcastle needed to concentrate and get themselves organised. Tommy Turner was using his size and strength to knock the Newcastle defenders about. The wind had dropped but now it was gusting.

Salford hit the post from a free kick, the rebound was scrambled away for a corner and Dean Gillick was forced to give away another corner.

Salford’s measured approach play was being neglected and they were trying to hit balls over the Newcastle defence but due to the greasy conditions the ball was running away from them. Newcastle were playing their best football but they floundered when they came to the final third of the field.

In the eighty second minute Paul McMahon came on for Simon Eldershaw and to his credit he showed some encouraging touches.

It was imperative that Newcastle did not lose this game and from that point of view they were successful. There is some way to go in the season and Newcastle’s progress may well be influenced by others.