Beverley Town entertained St. Andrews for this midweek Humber Premier League fixture, knowing a win would put daylight between them and second place Sculcoates Amateurs with a game in hand.
Unfortunately, for Town they were missing Jamie Waltham that scored four goals in the last match. Richard Gibson came in for Waltham with Matt Dixon and James Whittingham making returns to the championship contenders starting lineup.
There was also a comeback for inspirational midfielder Nathan White who has been out of action with a knee injury for six weeks, and has been sorely missed in the middle of the park.
On a hard pitch, the game was a little scrappy, but Beverley were beginning to stamp their authority with White pulling the strings in midfield, freeing up player manager David Ricardo, who could push forward.
Ricardo was made some good runs into the opposition box, but Town struggled to get the ball through to him. A good chance fell to Town when Mike O’Connell burst into the box, but he sliced his right foot attempt wide of the goal.
In fact, it was the visitors who took the lead against the run of play, when a long ball out of defence, led to a mix up between the centre back Dane Mortimer, and keeper Adam Nicholson, Lewis Poucher took advantage and lobbed a very good finish in to the back of the empty net.
Beverley now started to pile forward and a great run by Matt Dixon, led to him being through on goal but his shot was well saved by the St. Andrews keeper. O’Connell then had another opportunity after driving into the box, but his effort sailed well over the bar.
Eventually, the equaliser came when a long throw on the left by Whittingham, led to confusion in the box. Captain Jon Ricardo stabbed the ball goal wards and via a deflection, the ball looped into the net.
Town started the second half well, and were now completely in control. Another break from the midfield by Ricardo led to him nutmegging the full back, cutting inside, his shot though fell to Luke Thompson, who audaciously back heeled the ball into the goal from 6 yards for a very innovative finish, this was Thompson’s fourth goal in two games and his eleventh of the season.
Beverley now pushed forward looking for the third; a good ball by Gibson put Thompson through, and he finished well into the corner, only to see his effort ruled out for offside. Town came close again to extending their advantage. Thompson turned provider playing a good ball through to Gibson; he nipped in between the centre back and goalkeeper, but his finished drifted past the post.
With time running out an O’Connell corner was met by Mortimer but once again Town were thwarted with the ball cleared off the line.
The points then go to Beverley and strengthen their lead at the top, putting them three points clear. This was a very pleasing performance against a team who were in good form, but with a little more luck and better finishing is a game that could have been won a little more comfortably.
Beverley Town next take on the bottom team Bransholme Athletic in the Humber Premier League. Bransholme have struggled this season, but took a point of Beverley early in October at the Norwood Recreation Ground, and Town know that nothing but three points will do, as the league reaches an exciting climax.
Final Score: Beverley Town 2 St Andrews 1
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