Beverley Are Crowned Humber Premier League Champions

Beverley went into their encounter with Bridlington Sports Club, knowing that one point would secure them their first ever Humber Premier League title.

 

Town had defeated their opponents emphatically a fortnight before, but with so much resting on the game, it was obvious this was going to be a totally different encounter.

The home teamed started brightly playing like a side with nothing to lose, they should have taken the lead in the first five minutes, when after some poor defensive play the Bridlington striker ran through one and one but pulled his shot wide of the post.

This should have been a wake up call for Town, but quite the opposite as from a corner, a crisp header thundered against the bar and rebounded away to safety.

It was only a matter of time before Bridlington were going to score and after ten minutes another ball into the box was not dealt with, and the home team striker stabbed the ball home from eight yards to give the seasiders a deserved lead, with Town’s defence looking uncharacteristically vulnerable.

Slowly the league leaders began to gain some impetus with Luke Thompson starting to threaten in behind the defence. He should have equalised when put through by Mike O’Connell, but lacked composure in front of goal and put his shot well wide.

The striker atoned for this five minutes later when a ball broke to him on the half volley just inside the box, and he drilled a magnificent left foot strike into the top corner for his 12th goal of the season.

Towns were now gaining the upper hand, and another exquisite ball by O’Connell put Collishaw away. He had all the time in the world to run through, but his square pass was slightly behind Thompson, and he seemed to overrun it and what should have been a simple tap in become a slightly awkward scuff, wide of the post.

Beverley had a couple of good penalty appeals turned down, and then conceded a strange goal, when after clearing a Bridlington free-kick, play went on for a further ten seconds, before the referee noticed the linesman flagging, after consulting him, it was deemed that Asa Pardoe had pulled back an attacker, the referee awarded a penalty which was side footed home confidently by Paul Smith.

So not for the first time this season, Beverley were going to have to come from behind. Manager Dave Ricardo made a tactical change, replacing the rather unfortunate Dane Mortimer, who had been superb second half of the season; he was replaced by the retuning Ryan Nicholls who has had a disrupted season since the New Year with a number of injuries. Pardoe moved into the centre back position, with Nicholls taking over the right back slot.

With half time approaching O’Connell who was starting to have a great influence on the game, burst into the penalty area only to be hauled back, giving the same player the opportunity from the penalty spot. He showed tremendous composure to send the goalkeeper the wrong way for his seventh goal of the season.

After a few words at half-time and with a slight breeze behind them, Town now started to impose themselves on the game, pushing higher up the pitch and playing with a much faster tempo.

Nicholls was providing the impetus down the right-hand side, but apart from a couple of half chances with headers from Jamie Waltham, clear cut chances were limited.

It was midfielder Ben Thomson who broke into the box for a great opportunity but his left shot was tamely struck, and keeper James Webb dealt with it comfortably.

Thompson then hit a ferocious free kick which hit the inside of the post, and bounced away to safety as the Beverley forwards followed in.
Waltham was then played clean through, but as he bore down on goal, he sliced his shot wide of the post.

The big striker had the ball in the back of the net when a cross from Thompson was met by O’Connell, but his side foot shot was well saved by Webb, and as it broke to Waltham, he finished well, but unfortunately, the linesman had flagged for offside.

It was looking like Beverley were going to secure the point to give them the title quite comfortably, but with three minutes to go Nicholls made another dynamic run off the ball behind the defence, he was found well by Thompson, and as he headed towards the goal, he dispatched a left foot shot pass keeper Webb, to spark joyous scenes giving Town all three points and securing the league title in style.

So finally a season which started on Beverley Westwood on June 30th came to a dramatic conclusion, with a league championship which has been thoroughly deserved with only one league defeat so far. Beverley Town football club, players and staff have worked tirelessly to secure this title, a culmination of ten months dedication and commitment with many joyous and positive emotions, although alongside some challenging ones.

It is now imperative that this is just the start of sustained success, and all involved with the club set themselves new targets and have the hunger to continue to be successful, as clubs like Reckitts and Sculcoates, who have shared ten league titles between them are the clear benchmark that our club needs to aspire to, and they will no doubt come back stronger next year.

There are still two league games left to play with the next against the bottom club Westella & Willerby on Wednesday 8th May, it would be nice to see as many supporters there as possible. The club would also like to thank all the supporters who came to share the triumph with them this Saturday just gone and to all the other games they have attended, your support is very much appreciated.

Beverley Town football club would also like to congratulate Beverley Rugby Union club, who also collected the North One East title the previous week. It is a great achievement for the Town to have collective sporting success and can only enhance the reputation, which could be fundamental in any investment from local businesses, looking to support sport in the town.

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