Match Report

Drama-filled final match of season ends in total unbridled joy and glory for Town

Shildon 2, Guisborough Town 5

(Northern  League – Division One)

Any last lingering doubts whether Guisborough Town’s Northern League title win was fully deserved and totally on merit following the ‘West Allotment-gate’ controversy were swept aside following the Priorymen’s resounding and decisive 5-2 win at Shildon on Saturday.

When West Allotment resigned from the Northern League in March, it created a real dilemma in the gripping, dramatic end-of-season two-horse title race that had been building up between Guisborough Town and Shildon.

The League had no option but to expunge all of West Allotment’s results from the entire season up to the point of West’s resignation.

Various ill-judged knee-jerk reaction appeared on social media over the issue – whereas Guisborough Town rose above it all and just resolutely and calmly went about their business of working their way through five successive tough away games as the finale to the end of the season unfolded.

GLORIOUS GUISBOROUGH WORTHY WINNERS

And glorious Guisborough Town emerged victorious and worthy winners of their first league title in 41 years – first with a brilliant 4-1 win at Carlisle City in the penultimate game of the league season on 11 April.

Then just a week later yesterday, the Priorymen were officially crowned Champions of the League after a pulsating 5-2 victory at the home of runners-up Shildon after a match that will live long in the memory of every single person – players, team management, clueless officials and adoring fans alike.

And credit to Guisborough’s hosts Shildon, who put aside their own disappointment of missing out on the league title and automatic promotion by putting on a real show of genuine appreciation for the Priorymen, starting off with a Guard of Honour as the Champions took the field in their special super-smart all-white strip.

MAGNANIMOUS COMMENTS

There were some really magnanimous comments too from various Shildon officials, notably their Club Chairman and Team Manager. They were much appreciated by everyone at Guisborough Town. In return, Guisborough Town wishes Shildon all the best in the forthcoming play-offs.

As the match itself against Shildon kicked off, Champions-elect Guisborough suffered a shock after only six minutes when the home side took the lead through Bradley Hughes.

Guisborough hit back just a minute later when leading scorer Kurtis Howes latched on to a ball over the top and struck home on the half-volley with a typically opportunistic goal for 1-1.

But Shildon went 2-1 up on 18 minutes when a Ben Reay shot took a wicked deflection past Ryan Catterick in the Guisborough goal.

‘CAPTAIN MARVEL’ CALLUM!

Undeterred, this never-say-die Guisborough side hit back to equalise 2-2 in the 38th minute and how sentimentally fitting it was that it was scored by the Priorymen’s very own Captain Marvel. Callum Martin.

Playing possibly the final match of his highly-distinguished Guisborough Town career, Callum hit an absolutely stunning half volley from 20 yards out and it flew into the top right hand corner for the goal of the goal of the game. A truly memorable moment for Callum and the travelling Guisborough fans who went wild with delight for their home-grown hero.

Following the excitement of that equaliser, more unbridled celebration was to follow six minutes before half-time with a goal that couldn’t have been scored by a more popular Guisborough player than centre half James Frazer.

‘FRAZE’ FULFILLS 10’GOAL TARGET

It was a trademark header from a set-piece by ‘Fraze’ – as he is affectionately nicknamed – and it fulfilled  a personal ambition of his to get his season’s superb goal tally into double figures – a rare achievement for a defender these days.

So Guisborough went into the break 3-2 up and just three minutes after the interval they went 4-2 in front with a somewhat bizarre but quick-thinking goal from Elliott Beddow.

There was confusion over whether Beddow had been caught offside but the referee waved play on and the Shildon ‘keeper, expecting a free kick for his side. threw the ball in the direction of Beddow who gleefully accepted the gift to fire home for 4-2 to the Priorymen.

FREE-SCORING DEFENDERS RULE OK!!!

Guisborough rounded off the scoring at 5-2 on the hour when a great cross fell to Ben Errington who stabbed home beautifully. His goal meant THREE of Guisborough’s five goals on the day had been scored by defenders, the other two of course coming from Cal Martin and James Frazer. What a brilliant testament to the all-round teamwork of the Priorymen, which has been evident all season.

As the final whistle blew, it sparked joyous celebrations both on the field among Guisborough players and team officials – and off it from the estimated 200-250 away fans in a big crowd of 548.

Following the end of the game two full coach loads and a mini-bus full of Guisborough players, officials and supporters – plus many who had travelled by car – made their way back to the Guisborough Town Clubhouse for raucous but well-behaved and simply joyous celebrations in the Priory Suite.

As part of the firmal proceedings on the night, Guisborough Director Chris Wood kicked things off by introducing two of the absolute key individuals in this season’s huge success – Club Chairman Andy Bell and First Team Manager Nathan Haslam.

‘FANTASTIC ACHIEMENTS’ BY EVERYONE!

Andy started by declaring that the fantastic achievements by the team were not only down to the Manager, his support team and players but were also due to everyone in the Priory Suite that night plus many more.

“This amazing success is down to all of you here in this room and beyond,” he said with typical unassuming modesty – which is Andy’s humble hallmark.

He continued: “Today has been just absolutely fantastic! Last week at Carlisle City when we clinched the title was class and today has been absolutely class once again.

“Before the match the support and noise we made was incredible. Out on the field our players have proved yet again what absolute winners they all are,” added a clearly delighted Andy.

Andy then handed over to Manager Nathan who commented: “This has been very special, and it’s been a lot of very hard work by the players and my coaching team.

‘THIS SUCCESS DEMONSTRATES JUST HOW HARD EVERYONE HAS WORKED’

“To win Championships as we have just done this season demonstrates just how incredibly hard everyone at this club has worked.

For the players in particular it’s about the hard yards behind the scenes, week in week out. From Day One of the new season – and I’ve said it many times – you’ve got to be all in, no half measures.

“So real credit to the lads, I asked a lot of them and they bought into the vision and delivered it with flying colours. A massive thanks to all of them,” added Nathan.

MC Chris Wood commented on how incredible it was that everything that had been achieved this season was down to the support of everyone in the room, plus their families and friends and beyond – and Chris invited Andy to add his further thoughts.

CHAIRMAN MAKES SPECIAL MENTION OF HARD WORK BY CLUB VOLUNTEERS

Andy replied: “Our success is down to so many people as we’ve already mentioned, but I want to make a particularly special mention to all of our Club volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. I also want to thank our sponsors for their incredible support. It’s through the efforts of absolutely everybody here and beyond here that’s made today possible.”

Nathan added: “I’ve got to echo everything Andy has just said. I know it’s a cliche and can come across kind of corny, but apart from our players it’s you as fans who pay your hard-earned money to come and watch and support the Club in large numbers.

“And the biggest thing is giving you fans something to smile about which is just rewards for all those years you have supported the team. I can’t speak highly enough of our supporters- for them if you can produce on the football field they will always come and in growing numbers.

“So, hopefully, what we’ve all achieved together this season is a sign of things to come and I’m sure you the fans will continue to support us next season so we can all capitalise on the momentum we’ve got going throughout the Club.

‘A MASSIVE THANKS TO EVERYONE’

“So, a massive thanks from me, the Club Board and the players, who really do appreciate the support you’ve given them. It epitomises the sheer spirit of the Club – we’ve had to finish the season with five tough away games on the trot and all you fans really have been the 12th man behind us on the pitch,” added Nathan.

The evening was rounded off perfectly by a typically magnificent summary of the entire season by the hugely talented and long-term fervent Guisborough Town supporter Mark Cowan.

He gave a brilliant overview of how the season had unfolded, interspersed with his trademark hilarious impressions from the likes of Club Secretary Keith Smeltzer to former TV pundit Alan Hansen and even a new one depicting the voice of Leeds United Manager Daniel Farke!

On top of that Mark read out some of his really excellent poetry which captured many of the season’s key moments beautifully. Well done to Mark for such an inspiring input to round off a hugely memorable night.

Report by Bill Perfitt.