This was a very enjoyable game to watch with both teams showing plenty of commitment to the cause and the game was also played in an excellent spirit. The final outcome of the game was not known for sure until the first minute of injury time when Sacriston finally made the game safe at 3-1.
The match started with a very high tempo and that continued throughout the match. The Sacriston forwards looked very dangerous and full of running throughout and caused the Salvins back line problems with their direct running.
Gavin McCormack went close on 12 minutes with a good shot that was well saved.
Sacriston were dominating most of the play but Spennymoor did win a couple of corners and occasionally got down our left hand side but the Sacriston defence stood firm.
Then on 28 minutes Sacriston took the lead when Ward did well to flick a bouncing ball over the top of the last Salvins defender before getting to the edge of the box and firing a left footed shot which bounced over the Salvins keeper and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Sacriston were bang on top now and pressed hard looking for the 2nd goal and we went close on a number of occasions none closer than on 43 minutes when Graeme Embleton’s left footed effort struck the post from just inside the box.
The start of the 2nd half continued in a similar fashion and then on 56 minutes a brilliant run by Sean Gregory from deep into the Salvins box resulted in a last ditch save which forced a corner. From that Graeme Embleton corner Danny O’Brien powered a header back across goal which was well retrieved by Robert Draper who hooked the ball back across goal where Ward was waiting to head the ball into the net to make it 2-0 to Sacriston.
Andrew Solan had an excellent game in a defensive midfield role and he was replaced by Ryan Grayson on 66 minutes.
Between 75 & 80 minutes the Salvins had their best period of the game as we stopped playing subconsciously thinking the game was over and allowed them back into the game. Our back 3 who had been superb throughout until then stopped communicating which resulted in a couple of nervy moments. Bryan Potts who had an excellent game made his only mistake in the match in this period also when he scuffed his goal kick along the floor which O’Brien returned to him but Potts managed to get rid of the ball under pressure from the Salvins forward to avoid an indirect free kick through a deliberate back pass.
Then on 79 minutes a very soft free kick was awarded against Jacob Horner to the Salvins 30 yards out. While we were setting up the wall the referee without any indication allowed the free kick to be taken which was well struck and Potts managed to scramble across to his left to make an initial save but we reacted too slowly and the rebound fell to the Salvins forward who had followed in and his shot was nearly saved again by Potts who got a good hand on to the shot but it still went in.
Spennymoor Salvins didn’t really capitalize on that lifeline and Sacriston began to take control of the game again. The Salvins team did suffer a few injuries during the course of the game and had several players going down with cramp which was a surprise with such a young team.
Credit to Sacriston’s older players with the likes of Gregory, O’Brien & Collinson all of whom are now in their 30’s for finishing the game strongly against younger opponents although they did have some youthful legs around them as well to help out.
James Thornton came on for Gavin McCormack on 80 minutes and calmed play down in midfield and made some important challenges whilst the game was still 2-1.
On 84 minutes Anthony Ward went on an amazing run jinking in and out of 4 or 5 challenges on the edge of the box before getting himself into a great shooting position 10 yards out from goal with only the keeper to beat but he dragged his shot wide of the left hand post which would have capped a spectacular individual effort.
As it happened he only had to wait another 7 minutes to get his hat trick and make the game safe for Sacriston in injury time. Ryan Grayson made the goal for Ward by ruthlessly pursuing the tiring Salvins defenders and he pinched the ball from them but got forced wide on to the right hand side but then did well in crossing the ball to Ward who headed home superbly from around 10 yards out to finally make an entertaining game safe at 3-1.
It was Ward’s 2nd hatrick of the season and capped a wonderful performance. The whole Sacriston team were good today and although we didn’t convert all of our chances which would have made the game safe sooner we looked strong in all departments and had a nice blend of youth and experience out there which should serve us well in the coming weeks.
Sean Gregory was back to his brilliant best today and he totally dominated the midfield area with an all action display. He won all tackles, most of his headers, every battle of strength and was the furthest midfield player forward trying to press for the ball.
Jacob Horner completed his first 90 minutes in a Sacriston Cricket Club shirt at right wing back and he played very well giving the team good energy throughout and rarely gave the ball away.
Our reward for this win is a last 32 tie away against Darlington Shuttle on Sunday 26th October.
