Hessle Rangers ..1
Beverley made it three wins in three and in a thrilling league match at Heads Lane . The venue was switched just two hours before kick off leaving United manager Danny Williams fuming as he was unable to alert any club fans travelling to the original South Hunsley pitch that the ground had been changed.
The teams plans were further set back with Alan Laud having to start as substitute due to a stomach bug. It must have come as a shock to Williams when his side, playing uphill and against a strong wind took the lead after just fifteen minutes.
After battling work down the right-hand side, Matthew Dixon won a corner. He fired in a super cross and Craig Evans rose above the tall Hessle defence to send an unstoppable header in to the home side’s goal.
Beverley enjoyed the lion’s share of possession and despite the poor conditions were playing the neater football, just failing to build any serious goal threats as the final ball fell short. Hessle were opting to play the long ball which, at least during the first half, Northen and Evans dealt with relatively well.
Forward Danny Moore had a good chance to double the lead after being put through but he failed to hit the ball as cleanly as he would have liked and the ball went wide.
The referee blew for half time with Beverley in control but still only one goal up. Luke Thompson had to withdraw himself with a dead leg at the break so Laud replaced the youngster. With the manager asking for ‘more of the same’ United took to the field.
Whatever Hessle’s manager had said to his players at half time seemed to have worked as they came out a different side. Just five minutes in to the second period and they were celebrating the equaliser as new signing Lewis Smales played a neat one two and was through on goal. His low shot beat Nicholson on his right and Hessle were right back in it.
From that moment on the home side dominated. Beverley’s couldn’t get out of their half and it looked a certainty that the points would be going to Rangers. This looked even more assured when with just eight minutes to go, Evans was adjudged to have fouled his opponent in the box. The referee pointed to the spot and waved away the United’s claims that the incident had taken place outside the box. Left-winger Mark Lucid placed the ball on the spot only to see his well-struck penalty superbly saved by Nicholson. The save proved to be the turning point as Hessle for all their efforts began to tire.
Beverley gave it one last throw of the dice and with the game almost at full time forced a corner. Frampton swung in a right-footed cross, the ball found its way back to him. Under pressure he moved the ball towards the edge of the area and curled another right-footed effort towards goal, only this time his dipping effort swerved its way in to the goal past the despairing dive of Hessle’s goal minder. It was a real ‘get-out-of-jail’ moment for Beverley and the relief was evident across the players faces.
Deep in to injury time Frampton gave sealed it for United as the Hessle defence stopped with Laud in an offside position. Frampton had the intelligence to drive forward with the ball himself and suddenly was in the clear. He side-footed the ball home from close range to see Beverley leave Heads Lane with a somewhat flattering scoreline but one they will be delighted with.
This Sunday a big crowd is expected down at Longcroft to see Beverley United take on old foes Sutton Fields. The old Orchard Park side and Beverley have had some classic games over the last few seasons and this Sunday’s game has already had the touch paper set alight.
Dave Ricardo, brother of United captain Jon has left Beverley to sign for Sutton Fields and is set to make his debut on Sunday. The game is already been billed as the ‘Battle of the Brothers’ with Jon Ricardo promising to put his “team mates before anyone” on Sunday. Kick off is set for 1pm.
