Two teams locked in an epic relegation battle, were engaged in a dour contest at the Sir Halley Stewart
Field on Saturday.
The pressures weighing heavily on the shoulders of both sets of players were evident from the early stages of this Evo-Stik League East Division game.
It was clearly obvious that, the lack of quality play, which both teams have previously shown they are capable of producing, would seethe game eventually decided by a single goal scored in the closing minutes.
And so it was with former Tulip Jordan Lemon, with 57 appearances for the club behind him, providing the crucial cross from the right touchline for Steels substitute James Morris to break the deadlock with a crisp finish from an acute angle six minutes from time.
Although lacking in quality passing football – the ball constantly booted skywards – there was no shortage of action at either end..
After just eight minutes Kegan Everington’s free kick found Rudy Misambo within striking distance of goal, but his header zipped just over David Robson’s goal. Shortly afterwards at the other end Scott Ruthven pounced on a parry by ‘keeper Michael Duggan, but shot wildly.
Two minutes later the visitors Danny Frost, involved in a goalmouth scramble, hoisted his close range shot over the bar. Bradley Wells won possession just inside the
Steels area following a promising Tulips build-up but saw his low projected shot scream over the goal area without finding anyone to complete the movement.
And so it continued with both goalkeepers busy with important saves and blocks as the opening half ended in stalemate.
Eight minutes into the second period Everington’s inswinging corner kick clipped the Steels bar and the ball was scrambled to safety, while the Yorkshire visitors thought they had bagged the decisive opening goal on 78 minutes with appeals that the ball had crossed the line before being hooked clear.
Referee Jack Forder appeared to signal a goal but after consulting one of his assistants awarded a free kick to the home side.
After finally conceding a goal the Tulips staged an all out battle to get back on level terms, but the nearest they came as the game edged into added time, were a couple of power-lacking headers from Misambo.
Tulips: Duggan, Hare, Hugo, Cullingworth, Spafford, Misambo, Moyses, Everington, Wells, Mettam (Zuerner 80), Acar. Not used: Marshall, Fixter, Floyd, Brownwell.
MOTM: Taron Hare
Att: 109
All pictures of courtesy of Jake Whiteley
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