Toolstation NCEL Division One
Selby Town 3-1 Swallownest
Who needs the magic man: Sam Cable turns away to celebrate scoring a wonder goal which was daring, brave, magical and pure genius. It could send Selby Town back into the FA Cup. Picture: Malcolm Bryce
Sam Cable’s magical second half goal has given Christian Fox’s Selby Town superheroes real hope of obtaining a place in the Emirates FA Cup next season for the first time since 2012.
The wonder goal was daring, brave, magical and pure genius as well as a moment to remember as it pulled Selby out of a ditch with ten minutes remaining.
The crucial last game of the season victory propelled them past Hallam and Campion into seventh.
Liam Flanagan did seal it during injury-time, but Cable’s goal would have been enough to successfully see off ten man Swallownest.
The fifth straight win completes an effort worthy of superheroes from everyone at Selby.
Selby have had to play five games in eight days and to win the lot with mostly the same players is phenomenal. A five have been at home so the volunteers deserve credit for making sure the club were capable of staging the matches.
Selby’s local laundrette Wash and Press should also get an almighty pat on the back for washing the home kit nearly every day for eight days.
Although they have fallen short of the play-offs, Selby have enjoyed their best season in years. Fox could easily become their greatest post-war manager if he wins promotion next year after leading the club to the West Riding County Cup final in April.
The whole place has been lifted by a team that has scored over 100 goals and is one of the most exciting in the whole of the NCEL.
Even without magic man Joe Dale, Selby are a joy to watch and despite the fixtures toll, Selby were excellent against a decent Swallownest side.
Cable claimed the first opener when he turned home the rebound from Flanagan’s shot on the half-hour mark.
Referee Peter Creagh, who completed a recent run of sensible refereeing performances at Selby, then rightly sent off Swallownest’s Daniel White, following a tackle that nearly sent Gary Collier up to the moon and back.
Alex Lill, a very talented young striker with a big future, equalised in the second half and with 15 minutes, Selby’s hopes of finishing seventh looked to have gone up in smoke. At this point Selby looked tired and a gone-team.
But, even with magic man injured, Selby were still able to pull a rabbit out of the hat. Out of absolutely nothing, attacker Cable broke down the left. He stormed towards the visiting defender and onto the inside after starting on the halfway line. There was a brief piece of luck as the ball then took a ricochet off a defender before falling back to feet. Cable then fired the ball home from the edge of the penalty area.
The goal hit Swallownest for six and Selby dominated the final throes. The ball was hit for a second time before Flanagan got his goal – rounding off an absolutely fantastic season for Selby.
The bar has been raised far higher than it has been for nearly a decade.
This has been a fantastic season. Hopefully with some minor tinkering and a year of experience, Selby can get promotion.
Imo the greatest post-war manager would be a bit of hyperbole even if promotion is secured. Just in my lifetime I would have to give Bob Lyon the upmost credit.