Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby Town 2-1 Knaresborough Town
Magic man Joe Dale scored again for Selby Town
Brave Selby Town produced a heroic display to defeat champions Knaresborough Town and seal their highest placed finish for six years.
Two early goals for Christian Fox’s superheroes from Gary Collier and magic man Joe Dale were enough. A Jack Carr goal on the stroke of half-time set it up for a nervy second half, but a gutsy performance saw Selby over the finish line.
Selby can still finish higher than ninth and could even make the play-offs if results go their way.
Even so ninth is a good start for their brilliant young manager Fox, who has totally raised the bar at the Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium. Reaching the West Riding County Cup final for the first time in 25 years is the headline grabber.
But look closely and you find that attendances have risen, the wow factor on-the-field is up, goals have been flying in like no tomorrow, bar and tea bar takings are up and raffle tickets and blind card profits have gone through the roof. No-one has left a Selby game this season looking miserable.
That’s not bad for a club that was tipped for relegation for many back in July. Trade must have been booming at the numerous computer repair shops in Selby from September to March. Clearly, the keyboard warriors have only had their machines fixed – possibly because the repair shops have had a long waiting list – since results dipped.
That was because of many reasons: from dodgy refereeing decisions to ridiculous postponements (notably Brigg Town) to below par performances, some caused by the enforced break, some not.
Selby put that behind them last night. It was a fantastic start from the Robins. Veteran Collier broke clear to place them ahead.
Dale, one of the best players in the league, then buried the second goal after Knaresborough’s defence failed to clear.
Although 2-0 in front, it was not plain sailing for the Robins. The original wing wizard Rob Youhill was a menace during his time on the field. He tore Alex Jones to shreds and planted several superb crosses into dangerous areas of Selby’s penalty areas. Rookie goalkeeper Gareth Dickinson had a few rocky moments, but he did a fine job.
The visitors had knocked on the door several times before Carr’s scrambled the ball home from corner so Selby could have no complaints.
The goal set it up for a grandstand second half. Selby defended like trojans to prevent a deja-vu scenario of the Grimsby Borough which saw the promotion-chasers claim a 3-2 victory.
The home side even had chances of their own, notably Liam Flanagan missing an open goal.
The three minutes of injury-time seemed to be longer, but the noise that greeted the final whistle must be capable of roaring the superheroes to four more victories from their final matches of the season.
The Teams
Selby Town: Dickinson, Woodhead, Jones, Snaith, Kennedy, Bilton, Collier, Snodin, Flanagan, Clamp, Dale. Subs: Pearse, Malhotra, Bissett, Cable, Lock
Knaresborough Town: Rushworth, Thirkell, Clayton, Anderson, Lenehan, Maulin, Youhill, Hesketh, Bromley, McCall, Walker. Subs: Black, Heath, Freeston, Carr, Wilson.
Who Was In Charge
Darrell Bright (10/10)
Mr Bright bought a raffle ticket and did not cause a fracas in the bar after the game so quite clearly he made a good impression at Selby. On a serious note he was excellent. He stayed out of the limelight and let the players get on with it.
How Many Were There
88
Man of the Match
Chris Bilton (Selby Town)
Midfielder Chris Bilton was superb, despite having to play centre-half