U15

14/03/10 

Cargo Fleet Jnrs (away) North Riding QF    

Sunday 14th March 2010. This was a North Riding Cup Quarter Final away to Cargo Fleet Jnrs from Middlesbrough. The weather was a mixture of sun and showers and played on a reasonably good pitch. In the early stages both teams were struggling to find any form. Saltburn were struggling up front as Hudson was sidelined after being unwell overnight and was benched. Saltburn's defence was able to cope and had to as one of the opposition players had the longest throw in I have seen for some time and he even managed to throw one straight into the goal but you cant score direct from a throw. As the game continued the opposition were becoming more influential and as a result Hudson replaced Ward up front and it almost succeeded when from a corner Hudson just headed over. Saltburn were finding it hard to create anything and the opposition wasted their chances with shots high and wide except for a thunderous shot from outside the box which crashed back down from the Saltburn crossbar. The half time score being 0-0. Without playing particularly well we were still well in it but needed to string more passes together and create more pressure. However it was the opposition who then began taking control of the game as Saltburn's midfield were struggling to cope and even with several substitutions being made Saltburn were unable to make any impact. Half way through the second half one of the opposition players got in behind the defence and without the quickness of Caird (injured) the player advanced on goal and stuck it past the keeper Walters who had made some good saves previously. Saltburns defence had to work hard and Hitchen was playing really well at left back. Saltburn did have some late pressure and some chances but were unable to get the equaliser. Their keeper made two good saves late on. The final score being 1-0 and to be honest they deserved it. This was truly a good opportunity missed by Saltburn and too many players were not good enough on the day. You don't win matches by strolling through a game.

Man of the match was left back Sam Hitchen.