ON a bitterly cold day, when the majority of sporting fixtures were called off, Driffield EI’s game went ahead on the new G4 surface at Wyke College against Bransholme Athletic.
The home side – needing to win their games in hand to go top – looked sharp from the off playing some nice football and EI keeper Grant Halder had to show a good pair of hands early on, forcing a drive round the post.
But EI were playing well and started to get on top, with the midfield duo of Matthew Jarvis and Steve Skinns were working hard and breaking play up.
And it was Skinns who scored the opening goal. After good work by Spencer Tate and Tom Ullyott, the latter’s cross was headed back across goal into the far corner by Skinns for an excellent goal.
It was well deserved, and on another day they could have been two up. Shane Johnson – replacing Mark Thompson up front – was played in by Dale Darling but his effort lacked power.
The front two were causing problems with their movement, but just as EI were getting on top, the home side hit back when a shot from distance took a wicked deflection and wrong footed Halder.
It stayed like this until the break and EI were right in the game. But 90 seconds into the second half they were facing an uphill battle as they conceded two goals in less than two minutes.
The first goal followed a scramble in the box, and the second after a slip in midfield by Skinns allowed them to score again seconds later.
EI were now up against it and Athletic started to get well on top. EI were starting to offer very little against a well organised side.
Athletic added a fourth before the final whistle, but EI will look back on a costly 90 seconds that cost them any chance of the points.
This Saturday they are on the road again when they travel to Howden, a side they drew 4-4 with earlier in the season before entertaining Bransholme again a week later – these games are of course weather permitting!
Bransholme look highly likely to finish in the promotion places, but they lack a couple of requirements to play in the Premier Division, including dugouts, while the centre circle, 18-yard and six yard box were marked out in orange and not white like the rest of the football pitch, though there was a white D for hockey games!
The pitch was also marked out in different colours for other sports – this didn’t make any difference to the result or decisions, but it’s very confusing.
Please note training is back in the old sports hall.
Thanks to EI main sponsors Dodds Solar, B & F Potatoes and J Scott Engineering Ltd.
Thanks also to the Mariners Arms for the excellent after match refreshments.