Knaresborough Town striker Mitch Hamilton strikes his penalty which was saved Yorkshire Amateur goalkeeper Suwara Bojang. Picture: Ian Parker
Yorkshire Amateur goalkeeper Suwara Bojang was hailed as a hero after saving Mitch Hamilton’s late penalty in the goal-less draw at Knaresborough Town.
Bojang came up trumps with the spot kick save and then with another important stop at the death in the only Toolstation NCEL Division One game played in Yorkshire yesterday.
The weather had caused an almost total wipeout of fixtures and a bumper crowd was drawn to Manse Lane, despite the freezing temperatures.
They left disappointed because of the lack of chances and goals, but the elements played a further part in the day as both sides struggled in windy conditions.
The fact that neither the Ammers or Knaresborough have not played for two weeks cannot have helped.
Brian Davey must have breathed a sigh of relief before kick-off when seeing the visitors’ team-sheet which revealed that prolific striker Craig Heard, the former Manse Lane player, was absent because of food poisoning.
Dangerous Yorkshire Amateur striker Joel Hughes causes problems for Knaresborough
Action from Knaresborough Town 0-0 Yorkshire Amateur
Suwara Bojang was praised by Knaresborough manager Brian Davey and his own head coach Rick Addy
Ammers cleared missed him as they created little throughout the game. Knaresborough stopper Paul Hagreen, back in the side after missing the 5-0 win at Hallam, had to deal with Tom Rose’s edge of the area strike, but that was it for a long period.
Bojang did have a couple of hairy moments. The Ammers goalkeeper is like Manuel Neuer – keen to rush off his line and that does bring some risks. A mis-kick opened the door for Hamilton and Bojang got out of jail when the striker delayed his shot before shooting straight at the Ammers stopper.
The opening part of the second half was a huge disappointment as chances were just none existence. Then the introduction of Knaresborough’s Liam Tuck and Hilliard Serrao suddenly sprang the game to life in the last 15 minutes.
Ben Parkes and Carl Heard crash to the ground before the penalty is given
Suwara Bojang dives to save Knaresborough striker Mitch Hamilton’s penalty. Photo: Craig Dinsdale
Hamilton then had a late header saved by in-form Bojang
Serrao injected pace and that inspired Ben Parkes to take on his former team-mate Carl Heard. Parkes raced past him and the left-back began tugging the midfielder’s shirt. Heard, who had an excellent game apart from the one moment of madness, hauled Parkes to the ground inside the penalty area and the spot kick was rightly awarded.
Those praying for a goal appeared to have got their wish until they stood and watched former Tadcaster forward Hamilton’s weak attempt to the goalkeeper’s right safely claimed in two hands by Bojang.
Ammers, who have an outside chance of promotion, nearly made them pay as Rose rattled the crossbar with a spectacular long range effort.
That was a brief respite for Ammers captain Daniel Freeman and Chris Hitching’s excellent defence, who had to also put a series of blocks in to deny Knaresborough a way through.
The away side had to hold their nerve for one final chance in the third minute of injury-time. Tuck, playing against one of his former teams, curled a fine free kick into a dangerous area of the penalty box and Hamilton latched onto it with his head.
Bojang leaped off his line and got there at the right moment to gratefully catch the header to ensure a point was travelling back with his side to Leeds.
Knaresborough Town manager Brian Davey:
“It is all about match fitness and we needed that game. We thought we were the better side.
“We created the better chances and we always felt we had control of the game, but missing them two weeks of games cost us today.
“We had three or four good chances and their goalkeeper has made three or four good saves, whereas I don’t think our goalkeeper has made a save all the game.
“He had a great game today. He made some fantastic saves and the save from the header from Mitch at the end was another fantastic save. He kept them in the game.”
Yorkshire Amateur head coach Rick Addy:
“It was a wind affected game and both teams hadn’t played for two weeks so I think these were the factors in the result.
“We defended well and Suwara was great for us. He gives me a heart attack at times, but I wouldn’t swap him for anybody.
“He won us a point today in more ways than one.”
Knaresborough Town: Hagreen, McCrum, Radcliffe, Lenehan, Gray (captain), Bradley, Parkes, Wilson (Tuck 68), Hamilton, Walker, Littlefair (Serrao 70). Sub unused: Pascal, Rushworth.
Yorkshire Amateur: Bojang, Hammond, Heard, Rose, Freeman (captain), Hitchings, Marsden, Blakey (Sherrife 63), Hughes, Ashley (Shaw 75), Donaldson. Subs unused: Wadsworth, Harding.
Referee: J Bramall,
Ref Rating: 8/10
Attendance: 171
Man of the match: Suwara Bojang (Yorkshire Amateur)
The full album of match photos will be uploaded to our Facebook page around midday.