A damp day with a slightly heavy pitch due to overnight rain and the pitch having been played on earlier.

This was a North Riding Cup game game against Rawcliffe Jnrs from York. It was clear from the first five minutes that the opponents were a good footballing side and we would have our work cut out. There were no clear chances early on then out of the blue a shot from outside the eighteen yard box by Atkinson swerved wide of the keeper into the corner of the net to give Saltburn a 1-0 lead. Rawcliffe were the more dominant team, though Saltburn were dangerous on the break. Saltburns defence were holding firm though it took an excellent save from Walters to deny Rawcliffe an equaliser. Although Rawcliffe did threaten they could not seem to form any clear chances. Our defence was firm but still backed of too much. Unfortunately Hudson our in form striker had to come off injured and was replaced by Blue. At the end of the first half we had two chances which both fell to Axe. The first was a shot from the edge of the area which curled over the keeper and hit the cross bar. The second a driven shot well saved by their keeper. Half time score was 1-0 and though outplayed for most part we had battled very hard. The half time talk seemed to work as Saltburn made it harder and harder for the opposition though our midfield was tiring a little due to the hard work of Atkinson and Whiley and it was unfortunate but not unexpected when they equalised midway through the half. It was now that we would be tested and the back four would be sorely tried as they had done most of the game. There was outstanding defending by Graham and Whitfield and though the right and left backs were having a rough time Caird and Hitchen held on gamely. Clark a striker was subbed in a tactical move allowing Williams to come on and shore up the midfield area. This meant we were relying on the speed of Axe up front. We continued to battle and the substitution helped and when a ball went out wide to Hoggard his excellent cross low on to the six yard line was headed home by Axe and Saltburn were 2-1 ahead. This certainly did not please the visitors and some unsavoury moments ensued. Rawcliffe though physical were not a dirty team and played excellent football, however the verbal assault by their players resulted in two second half bookings for Rawcliffe whose manager was also spoken to. There were verbal attacks on the referee which were unjustified by supporters of Rawcliffe and what had been a very good combatitive game turned sour with this disgraceful behaviour. All credit to all the Saltburn players who maintained their discipline. A late booking for a late tackle by Whiley was the first booking of any of my players for some considerable time. Though Whiley can have no real complaints re his booking. Saltburn continued to hold out and won 2-1. An excellent performance by Atkinson in midfield gained him man of the match. In truth though the whole team deserve the plaudits for a backs to the wall performance.