Debutant Jacob Prince’s hat-trick secured victory for Driffield Tigers as they came from behind and scored four unanswered goals against a strong Beverley Whitestar Rams.
The hosts took the lead from the spot when Joe Leslie mistimed a challenge, but the Tigers levelled as Darling struck a free-kick into the top corner.
Prince made it 2-1, surging forward and firing in from 18 yards. Tigers added another from a set piece as Prince finished from a free-kick, and completed his hat-trick after a strong run from Darling.
The 1-1 score at half-time flattered the Tigers, who in the first-half lacked creativity in central areas, giving the ball away too easily and not helped by Beverley’s ability to retain possession.
Driffield improved after half-time, when the score was 1-1, with Darling and Prince linking up well, supported well by Clarke, Fraser, Javeleau and Pallant. Beverley were left to rue a series of missed chances and finding Tigers’ goalkeeper Gibson in unbelievable form.
Beverley started confidently and controlled the first-half, their reward coming in the 20th minute. A counter-attack caught out Driffield, and the covering Joe Leslie’s last-ditch challenge was mistimed and a penalty was correctly awarded. The Beverley player made no mistake in finishing the penalty.
Beverley continued to retain possession, forcing the Tigers to work hard, and on several occasions could have extended their lead had it not been for in-form Gibson who impressed throughout the match.
Driffield were back in the game on 30 minutes as another debutant, Clarke, who impressed in centre midfield, went to ground after being fouled 25 yards out. Liam Darling calmly stepped up to send the ball crashing into the top corner, despite shooting into a strong wind. Both Beverley and Driffield finished the half strongly, with both teams forcing the goalkeepers to save. Half-time; Whitestar 1-1 Tigers.
Driffield made a better start to the second half as Darling and Javeleau produced some positive running with the ball, with Pallant and Prince forcing excellent saves from the Whitestar goalkeeper.
The match continued in a saw-see fashion until Driffield finally struck a killer blow on 40 minutes through a devastating individual run from Prince. Collecting the ball close to the halfway line, Prince showed his strength and dribbling ability before firing in a low shot on the edge of the area.
Beverley continued to play their football and still created openings, but a counter-attack from Driffield resulted in Pallant being fouled and a free-kick being awarded just outside of the area. Prince stepped up, finishing for his second goal of the match, but the Whitestar goalkeeper was unlucky to concede as he made contact with the ball.
With Whitestar committing men forward, Tigers exposed them to ensure the three points. Fewtrell, who returned to the team after illness, defended smartly and found Darling out wide, who after running with the ball into the Whitestar area, assisted Prince in completing a deserved hat-trick on his debut, as Tigers exhibited their ruthlessness in front of goal again.
Driffield Tigers manager Dale Darling commented: “We were fortunate to be in the match at half-time. Beverley demonstrated what a good team they are, working hard and retaining possession but we battled hard in difficult conditions, and credit to the defence who showed great composure and discipline when under pressure, aptly supported by Gibson in goal.
“The second-half was certainly a different story. We started to compete with the ball, creating opportunities and showed how merciless we can be when attacking. Clarke and Prince had exceptional debuts and fit in well with the squad, and similar to last week we’ve produced a magnificent team performance.
“Our attentions turn back to the cup on Sunday, coming up against Willerby Jags in Round 2 of [ERCFA U13] Tesco Cup. The lads have set the high level that they can achieve, and the players and I shall be working together to ensure that we maintain this. We showed we can be an attractive team, but are willing to get ugly and dig deep when we need to.”
Driffield Tigers; Gibson, Wilkes (C), Leslie, Pick, Andrew, Hogger, Busfield, Javeleau, Pea, Darling and Pallant. Clarke, Prince, Fewtrell and Fraser.