Calvert Stadium, home of Northallerton Town based in North Yorkshire and play their trade in Step 5 of the non league pyramid in the Northern Football League Division One. Bank holiday Monday is upon us and that can mean only one thing! The Merry Miller is back from his holiday and back for another adventure!
It’s an early start today as Northallerton play host to Guisborough Town with an 11am kick off… So much for that lay in… To the train station! With 10 minutes to kick off, here we are in Northallerton! Let’s get a move on to the ground!
£6 to get in here! Masterful! Kick Off! Both teams having a fair share of the ball to start with but Guisborough look just that little bit more threatening going forward. 22 minutes in and Guisborough have a corner, in it comes… Number 6 for Guisborough jumps for it… It’s just over him and Northallerton clear their lines.
26th minute and a long ball comes forward for Northallerton, it’s over the top and Guisborough don’t deal with it… It comes for Lewis Rees in the box and he shoots… Great save by the Guisborough keeper! They got away with it there but they have a corner to defend now, in comes the corner… Keeper punches away, Guisborough get it away but only to Andrew Shepherd around 35 yards out and he goes for glory… Blocked! But it comes to Cameron Wilson in the box for Northallerton! Keeper saves again but here’s the rebound… Blocked but was it by a hand? “No!” Says the Referee! Guisborough clear and the Northallerton fans aren’t happy with that decision…
Guisborough starting to take the game to Northallerton now. 33 minutes on the clock and Guisborough play forward down the left, they work it around the edge of the box, back out to the left, it’s crossed in, it’s flicked on at the back post and it falls to Cal Martin… He’s got it!! 1-0!! And it’s been coming on the balance of play you have to say.
35th minute and Northallerton come forward down the right with Cieran Jackson, he crosses in and here’s Lewis Rees at the near post… They’ve equalised!!! 1-1!! That’s how you respond to going a goal down!!!
39 minutes now and Guisborough come again, they work it into the box, Steven Roberts has the ball now… He’s brought down there… Referee waves it away… Guisborough furious! I would be too! Definite Penalty for me!
43rd minute and Northallerton come forward again down the right, Cieran Jackson cuts inside and shoots… Keeper stretches and makes the save but it comes to Andrew Shepherd running in… He scores!!! Northallerton lead here!! 2-1!! “YORKSHIRE YORKSHIRE!” A bit of noise now from the Northallerton faithful now! It would be the last action of the half with the score at 2-1.
Second half, great to meet another groundhopper here today! Some great stories about his favourite team in Spain! A flat start to the half with little to shout about for both sides. 58 minutes now and Guisborough have a free kick on the left, it’s crossed in, it’s headed up into the air, keeper is beaten to it… It’s still in the air… The Referee blows for a free kick to Northallerton… Guisborough furious again!
64 minutes on the clock and Guisborough have a free kick on the right now, crossed in… Headed towards goal… Blocked! Guisborough get it back and it’s crossed back in, headed again… Blocked! It comes to number 8 who shoots… It’s off target but number 3 slides in… He can’t get there and Northallerton clear… How did Guisborough not score there?
69 minutes now and Guisborough break forward, it’s played to number 14 on the left hand side of the box, down he goes… Referee says no again! He was right for me there, not enough in that. Goal kick.
72nd minute now and Northallerton come forward down the left, the shot comes in… Keeper spills it and Nathan Stephenson runs in along with the Guisborough keeper and defender… They collide and the Northallerton fans want a penalty, but they aren’t getting it!
Guisborough starting to come forward a lot more now in search of the equaliser but will they get it? 84 minutes now and Northallerton come forward, it’s played to Nathan Stephenson on the edge of the box in space, he shoots… Over! Should’ve done better there!
86 minutes on the watch, Guisborough have a corner, in it comes… Cleared but they get it back, they work it around brilliantly and it’s played to Harry Ord at the back post… He’s done it!! He finishes! 2-2!! Brilliant finish! Guisborough are pressing for the winner now… But it wouldn’t come for them…
FT: Northallerton Town 2-2 Guisborough Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2.5/10 – A bit of noise from the Northallerton fans today but not too much.
- The Ground: 7.5/10 – It’s a nice ground for this level! Very unique with the standing sections behind the goal, I’d say this is a hidden gem!
- Expense: 9/10 – £6 is great and I did see a decent game in the end.
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – A good game and great to meet other groundhoppers in the ground today! Great to be back with the Merry Miller once again!
28/40
Thanks for your warm appraisal. We pride ourselves on our proper traditional ground which we at least think has character. If I remember correctly you asked for a badge and we’d run out. We could have sold about 20. More on order for your next visit 🙂
David gateman, treasurer etc etc
Thank you very much! Lovely ground! Good luck for the rest of the season!