Steeton AFC 2-2 Jarrow FC (Jarrow win 9-8 on Pens) 19/09/2020

 

FA Vase Qualifying Round 1

Steeton AFC 2-2 Jarrow FC (Jarrow win 9-8 on Pens)
19/09/2020 3pm Kick Off

77’ Wolfenden, 95’ Briggs | 35’ Hargrave, 40’ Hetherington

On Saturday Jarrow travelled to East Lancashire to face West Yorkshire side Steeton at Barnoldswick Towns Silent Night Stadium and for the most part it was anything but quiet.
Of the 102 supporters attending the game Jarrow’s Blue & White army made up at least half of the crowd in a nicely coordinated and socially distanced event. True proof of fans and officials getting it right during these troubling times.

The first half was largely an evenly contested affair and both teams took their time to get into a game that lacked any real pace or bite. With so much riding on the game it was understandably cagey from both sides who were looking for a place in the next round.
There was plenty of neat passing in the opening exchanges but it was a free kick and a Defenders header that almost brought the first goal with Darryll Donnelly getting his head to the ball that went just wide.
Into the 20th minute and Jarrow’s Jak Wells got down quickly to make a smart save to deny Steeton.
Wells was called upon again 10 minutes later after another great effort from Baldwin was saved well by the man in the Jarrow goal.
A minute later however and it was the visitors turn to pressure the goal. Liam Mcbride glancing a header just wide but a goal from either side was looking likely.
Only 3 minutes later a goal did come and after a left hand side corner from Josh Elcoate was swung over, the ball was partially cleared and put back in the box from Kai Elliot before Glen Hargrave made the most of some indecisive defending to drill home from 18 yards.
Into the 40th minute and the Steeton social media reported that ‘A cheer comes up from Jarrow fans for a wicket in the cricket match taking place on the other side of the fence here in Barnoldswick’. Our fans enjoying the whole day and not just the football!
Then in the 42nd minute Lee Hetherington inconsiderately doubled Jarrow’s advantage while I was taking a well-earned toilet break.
I was told that he raced clear and slotted the ball home coolly to make it 2-0 to the visitors.

Into the second half and a lovely ball from Josh Elcoate could only be turned wide by the dangerous Liam Mcbryde whose hold up play was benefitting the away side, allowing Hetherington the freedom to roam and pick up loose balls all over the business end of the field.
Then in the 58th minute another great delivery from the left foot of Josh Elcoate was headed over by captain Jordon Mellish.
Josh Houghton then came on to replace Lee Hetherington whose nonstop running had been a constant threat.
The home side had started the second half quietly but in the 64th minute they finally found there feet and forced Jak Wells into a quite brilliant double save to keep the score 2-0.
then came the few minutes that decided the fate of the game. Lovely football from Jarrow in the build up to a Glen Hargrave chance was expertly poked away from the Jarrow forward in the nick of time, a goal then would’ve surely killed the tie.
2 minutes later however the home side scored the goal of the game as Wolfenden lashed home from all of 25 years, right into top bins, a one to be proud of that no keeper would’ve been able to stop.
a minute later and the visitors should’ve snatched a third and restored their 2 goal advantage only for Glen Hargrave to drag his shot wide.
That goal however sparked the home side into life and a tiring Jarrow side who had endured a torrid night 2 days previously were starting to look ragged.
Steeton should’ve levelled in 88th minute but the ball went agonisingly wide.
Into 6 minutes injury time by our time keeper and Steeton dramatically grabbed a late equaliser with Briggs prodding home and the referee immediately blew his whistle for full time.
We headed into Penalties therefore and Steeton would get us underway.
The first 6 pens were all dispatched and inexplicably both sides 4th pens were both saved low the keepers right. The next 10 pens were scored during a sudden death that even saw Jarrow keeper Jak Wells step up and coolly strike his pen home.
Then with the 10th penalty about to be taken it was the home side who made the first sudden death mistake. Jak Wells got a brilliant hand to the ball and despite it spinning back towards goal he leapt up palmed the ball away. Advantage Jarrow and ever present defender this season Darryll Donnelly was ice cool and stepped up and converted the pressure penalty to send Jarrow in the next round and the blue and white army crazy!
The players were magnificent throughout the match and even better after the match had ended, they all celebrated by thanking the supporters club at the end for the support they had shown, it was a pleasure for every one of the supporters to have been there!
A great game that Jarrow will feel they should have killed off but also a game where Steeton will feel proud of they got back into.
Great hospitality from Steeton and a big thank you to Danny’s travel for the impeccable buses and socially distanced guidelines that we all adhered too.


Att:- 102