Gibson Stunner Clinches Title For Hodgsons

A moment of Cristiano Ronaldo-esque brilliance from Shaun Gibson proved the catalyst for Hodgson FC’s championship-clinching defeat of Long Riston tonight.

The Tanners stormed to a comprehensive 2-0 victory over their East Riding rivals in a hard-fought encounter that proved without doubt they deserve their place at the top table of the Humber Premier League.

With home keeper Mark Stanley in fantastic form despite playing his sixth game in 11 days, something special was always going to be needed if the Tanners were to achieve their goal of back-to-back titles.

Cue Gibson. On the back of sustained pressure Hodgsons won a free-kick at the edge of the Long Riston box. Gibson stood over it, spotted a gap behind the wall and curled in a beauty that gave Stanley no chance.

A late Danny Cartwright finish, one-on-one with the keeper, sealed the points and with it the crown of Humber Premier League Division One Champions for the Tanners, much to the delight of a strong away support.

No one summed up the Tanners’ commitment more than inspirational captain Paul Silvester. The number eight was tireless in midfield as he put in tackle after tackle to thwart a determined Long Riston side. His long throws also proved to be a huge nuisance and by the end of the game he had run himself into the ground for the cause.

In a night for heroes, Silvester was matched for effort and skill by left-back . He did everything a good full-back should do – he tackled hard, tracked well and overlapped to good effect in a performance that deservedly won him the HU17.net man-of-the-match award. No bubbly, but massive kudos.

It was far from an easy night for Hodgsons. They took the game to Long Riston early on with and Cartwright putting in the hard yards as The Tanners tried to break down a spirited home side.

and central defensive partner had to be alert as Long Riston tried to play on the counter-attack, but with Mike Morris showing a safe pair of hands and sound judgement in the Tanners’ goal all the home side’s early threats came to nothing.
The visitors’ pressure eventually told, however, and it brought with it Gibson’s moment of genius.

Dennis Edgar was running the midfield when his side were awarded a free-kick 20 yards out. Gibson was not letting anyone else take it and it proved to be the correct decision as his sweetly-struck free-kick swerved round the wall to give his side the lead.

This seemed to inspire the Tanners and Gibson again went close when he was put through by Cartwright, only to see Stanley pull off a stunning save from his first-time volley.

Again Hodgsons attacked and this time it was Danny Piwinski’s turn to be frustrated, his 20-yard dipping strike again being brilliantly saved by the portly Stanley. The Long Riston keeper was called on soon after as he kept out a rasping effort from the always-sharp Adam Foster.
The teams went into the break with the visitors 1-0 up and knowing that any slip-up would be punished by the admirable home side. Manager Lee Hastings realised the possible dangers and he delivered an inspiring half-time team talk that kept his players on their toes.

Hodgsons came out with renewed vigour, determined not to let their lead slip. Grantham was the epitome of this approach as much of the early play in the second period went through the right midfielder to draw the sting out of Long Riston.

The Cambiasso-like Silvester continued to put in the graft in midfield and Hodgsons began to go up through the gears as the home side suffered.

Their perseverance was eventually rewarded when they scored their second and decisive goal.

A long punt downfield from Morris caught Long Riston’s defence on the hop and, breaking free of a rigid defence, Cartwright kept his cool and slid an excellent finish past Stanley to make it 2-0.

It was a fine way to end an excellent night for Hodgson’s, who next season will challenge Beverley Town’s supremacy as the top Saturday side in Beverley.

It promises to be a long summer when such riches lie ahead for the town.

HU17.net ratings

1. Mike Morris – solid in the air, commanding on the ground 8
2. Danny Piwinski – never put a foot wrong 7
3. Chris Robinson – dynamic, tough in the tackle, accurate with ball at feet 9
4. Ben Daniels – won everything on the ground and in the air 8
5. Jonathon Thorne – a rock in the middle 7
6. Dennis Edgar – box-to-box, skillful on the ball 7
7. Steve Grantham – always available and fully committed 7
8. Paul Silvester – inspiring and tireless 8
9. Adam Foster -relatively quiet but put in a lot of unheralded work 7
10. Danny Cartwright – sharp and cunning. Great strike for goal 3
11. Shaun Gibson – a potent threat all game and a stunning free-kick 8

Subs: Danny Atkinson (for Grantham); Andrew Stott (for Gibson); Dexter Jordan (for Foster)

Referee – Garry Tindall: Calm and assured, he handled the big game well 8

HU17.net man of the match – Chris Robinson: A great performance from the burly left-back. Never gave anything away and was massive in the tackle. Always wanted the ball and wasted little.

Final Score: Long Riston 0 Hodgsons FC 2 | Reported by Scott McHugh

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