On a beautiful sunny morning in February, Netherton United travelled North to Yorkshire for an 11:00am KO against HD Select.
United hadn’t had a League game since January 19th and were looking to get back into the swing of life in the JPL Nationals.
Upon arrival in the beautiful setting of Silkestone FC, we were greeted with possibly the finest weather of the year, and a pitch that had a wonderful raised bank for supporters to view the Elite North JPL Fixture.
Netherton Manager Simon Roberts had an easy job with his team selection this weekend; as only 11 players were available.
Berzan Gokmen luckily enough becoming available at the 11th hour to travel as a 12th man.
Skipper Danyaal Younus was once again ruled out injured, along with Jakub Nowicki, Fin Henderson and Long term absentee Drew Budd. Sam Oakley was away and Ryan Thomas was continuing his trial with Peterborough United FC.

So with a bare to the bones team, the pre match chat was to conserve energy, let the ball do the work, but dig in and play as a team.
Exactly what the boys did.
Both teams looked to play football and the opening 10 minutes were mainly shared, with United edging the early exchanges.
However in the 11th minute, a high and hopeful punt into the box from the HD Select right back evaded most players in the box, bounced nicely for United Defender Loui Catt to clear, however for some reason he delayed and the lively Select forward took advantage of Catt’s hesitancy to clear and (against the run of play) fired in a volley from 8 yards. (1-0)

Catt was visually disappointed with himself, but neither the management or team mates were in mood for self pity and rallied round to pick his head up.
Catt and his fellow Full back partner Josh Wilson had been joining in with the visiting attacks in the first 10 minutes, so positivity was key for those two players today.
And Wilson almost drew the Peterborough side level with a great run down the left, losing his marker by the corner flag and driving in along the by line, he skipped an incoming challenge and drove a low pass across the face of the goal which skimmed the back post evading all players scrambling to get a touch to put it in.
So close.

HD Select almost went 2-0 up following a good passage of play, the ball ended up at the feet of Connor Patchett who let fly with a shot that agonisingly for the home side hit the crossbar.

The equaliser was not far away though, with Lukas Vaickelionis continuing his scoring after a last minute goal in his previous outing.

He has Euan Hattersley to thank for his latest effort in the 30th minute.
Hattersley beautifully controlled a headed clearance from the Select Centre half, and as it landed from his deft first touch, he unleashed a half volley from 25 yards which the keeper did very well to save, but as it bounced of his gloves, Vaickelionis nipped in behind the defender trying to shield the rebound for the keeper to collect at the second attempt, and with his thigh lofted the ball over the keeper and into the net. (1-1)
Two minutes later Viliam Radic picked the ball up on the left corner of the penalty box, he chipped the ball over the defenders head and Vaickelionis ran on to the pass and took one touch to bring the ball out of the air, and finished neatly with his second touch. (1-2)

HT: 1-2

United had controlled the first 40 minutes and deservedly started the second half of the game in front and in a positive mood.
Berzan Gokmen was introduced for Vaickelionis and Hussain was played in behind the front two.

Just four minutes into the restart, a ball played through the centre deflected up into the air and Lewis Leesons (who’d had an inspired first half) out muscled his marker to the ball, and as the ball landed he struck from 18 yards out and the swerve on his shot took it away from the keepers fingertips and into the back of the net, via the post. (1-3)

The United support was in good voice and the players were enjoying the posession and space being left a HDS battled to get back into the game.
To their credit they continued to play out from the back, switch the ball and tried to play football.
United’s pace and pressing forcing the home side into mis placed passes and errors. The midfield were immense with Hattersley, Leesons and Camfield being too strong for their opponents.
United could of scored further goals in the second half, with Radic shooting twice over the bar, Hussain scuffing a shot straight into the keepers hands, and Loui Catt having a goal disallowed following a controversial offside decision.
However, three goals were enough and United would head back South with all three points.

A great game of football, bathed in Sunshine and played the right way by both teams: firm, and fair and fun.

FT: 1-3

MOTM: Euan Hattersley