By Ian Robinson
Exactly a week after an excellent victory at the ‘Home of Football’, the question was asked as to whether The Ambers could do it on a cold Autumnal night in Swallownest, and the answer was yes, albeit it was a hard slog at times and not the easiest watch.
But, on the plus side, the lads proved they could mix it against tough opposition, many of whom as ex-Ambers had a point to prove, on a playing surface that didn’t really suit our style of play. Stripped of half a dozen players due to suspension, injury or commitment to work, it was a makeshift Ambers side that took to the field, albeit it was good to see certain players get some much needed game time.
The hosts began well with a couple of long range strikes veering not too far away from the target, before ex Swall youngster Mitch Dunne almost marked his return to the Swall Siro with a goal, but his effort also went the wrong side of the post.
The first real bit of quality came when Sam Essien ventured forward from right back and picked out Sam Smith at the back post with an inch perfect cross but his header landed on the roof of the net, and shortly after, Jack Harrison connected with a Dunne free kick but his header was also off target.
The game ebbed and flowed without either defence looking too concerned and both keepers having an easy night, but that changed ten minutes before the break when a quick throw from Essien was picked up by Leon Howarth on the right wing, and from his pass into the box, Kane Reece collected the ball at the front post and despatched it past home keeper Evans despite pressure from the Swallownest defenders.
The Ambers started the second half well and Alfie Smith almost marked his swift return to Swallownest with a goal but his header from Dunne’s cross drifted wide, and then, suddenly at the other end, the home side were back on level terms after Ben Townsend brought down his opponent in the area, Appleyard calmly netting the penalty.
The goal certainly put a spring in the step of the hosts who started exerting some pressure, although Townsend still had a relatively easy night. As the game moved into the last quarter, teenager Rion Arbouin made his debut from the bench replacing Howarth, but it was the hosts who went close when a well struck drive from Beedham flew over the bar.
Andy Gascoigne then came on to help shore up the midfield, and within a minute, Dunne struck an absolute worldie from 25 yards to edge The Ambers back into the lead. As the clock ticked on towards full time, Arbouin fashioned himself an opportunity but hit his shot just wide of the far post. Noah Flint replaced Jake Baldwin who had impressed throughout the night, for the final throes of the game, and as time ran out for the hosts, they lost former Amber Liam Flint to a red card after an altercation with Essien in the corner. As tempers flared, home skipper Short was lucky not to follow his team mate down the tunnel after appearing to deliberately stand on Flint but the referee chose leniency and just showed the yellow card.
So, The Ambers progress into the next Round of the League Cup and it’s a double header at home in the League with Knaresborough Town and Albion Sports on the horizon.