High ball brings a low reward

Published on 27th March 2008 in Sport

Brigg Town 1

Goole AFC 1

Another afternoon spoilt by the conditions, but excuses can only go so far on a disappointing Vikings performance in Monday's Easter local 'derby' at Brigg.

When Goole Times Man of the Match Andrew Jackson's (right, 09-08-61 SU) fine finish gave his side an early second-half lead, they looked set for an important three points in their quest for the play-offs, but an unfortunate slip by Chris Jenkinson ten minutes later allowed Rick Day an equaliser, and really the scoreline was about fair.

Both sides had the chance to seal victory and Duncan Bray's failure to get a shot in, and Chris Tate similarly when well placed a quarter of an hour from time, summed up a disjointed Vikings show.

Perhaps, and it is a point, two games in as many days must take their toll and certainly both teams were tired at the end, but one felt that the Vikings played to the strengths of the 'Zebras' back four, and that was their height.

A little more finesse with the passing on the ground and into the channels might well have brought the reward, as it did with Jackson's well-taken goal on 47 minutes. Bray played a delightful ball inside the full back, and the shot beat Damian Steer at his near post.

Up to that point the first half had brought few clear-cut openings, although James McDaid, who had another wretched afternoon with himself, had half a chance from a mishit back pass on 10 minutes, but lost his footing - not the first, or only, time on the day.

A header from Chris Jenkinson also threatened the home goal, but just cleared the crossbar, whilst Brigg found space on the Goole right, and although question marks might have been raised about Craig Robinson's positioning at times, in truth he had a solid game and came into his own in the second half.

Rick Day, who has troubled Swinefleet this season playing for Scunthorpe League side BBM, and who netted twice at the VPG in Brigg's win on Boxing Day, was kept largely quiet and without Jason Maxwell too, for all their possession in the latter stages of the first 45 minutes, Craig Parry was untroubled.

The best start possible to the second half then looked to be setting the Vikings up for a crucial second win of the holiday campaign, but an unfortunate slip by Chris Jenkinson allowed Day eventually to prod the ball over the line, despite Parry's efforts.

And after that it was frustration despite plenty of endeavour - that no one could fault.

Goole had two good chances - Bray latching on to a ball on the right hand side and shooting inches over the angle from a difficult position, and then delaying far too long when put clear by Jackson, and even when he had failed to pull the trigger, both substitutes Chris Tate and Joe Brown should have done better as well.

And as the weather closed in, snow started to fall in a mini blizzard, they almost lost the game with Stuart Ainsley inches away from scoring with a close range effort.