Starters for seven in NPL East

North Ferriby got their season off to a flying start on Saturday, beating Newton Aycliffe 4-1.

Manager Chris Bolder said: “Everyone wants to get off to a fantastic start and for us to get a 4-1 win at home in convincing fashion is really pleasing.

“After the first 10 minutes when they controlled the game, we got to grips with their style of football and dominated the game.”

The Villagers scored two goals in each half, and they went one better than that in the first half away at Brighouse Town on Monday night, opening up a 3-2 lead.

The Villagers had to overcome some terrible conditions in West Yorkshire as the rain got heavier as the game went on.

The hosts took the lead in the first minute, a corner was delivered into the Ferriby box and Sam Bentley was on hand to fire past Tom Jackson.

Josh Dennett level the scoring once again - Danny East played a great ball across the field and found Dennett who controlled the ball before hitting a low cross across goal.

The hosts nearly took the lead but Jack Johnson was on hand to clear the ball just as it was about to go over the line.

However, from the resulting corner, the ball was not cleared well and a Brighouse player hit a shot which the referee adjudged hit a Ferriby hand, with Mo Qasim converting the resulting penalty.

Ferriby would find an equaliser, this time it was their turn to be awarded a penalty after a Brighouse defender handled the ball in the area. Danny East stepped up to score his second goal of the season.

The Villagers took the lead just before the interval, Josh Dennett’s throw-in found Jack Johnson who calmly volleyed an effort into the Brighouse goal.

The game turned in the second half when Josh Morrall was sent off for a challenge which forced Chris Bolder to make changes to his formation to try and see the game out.

Brighouse would get their leveller late on when a cross into the area was met by Ash Butterworth who headed past Jackson.

The Villagers defended valiantly and picked up a vital point on the road.

North Ferriby manager Chris Bolder gave his thoughts after the game: “The goals we’ve conceded tonight are uncharacteristic of us. I think one thing we can look at positively is in the situation we found ourselves in, it could be a good point moving forward”.

As well as last night’s 3-3 draw at home to North Ferriby, they drew 4-4 at Ashington at the weekend.

Vill Powell’s side were 4-2 up going into the last minute of the game but conceded two goals in injury time to be denied the win.

There is a full programme of games in the four NPL divisions tonight (Tuesday), ahead of the FA Cup Preliminary Round ties involving Step 4 clubs at the weekend. There is one exception - Newton Aycliffe’s game against Ashington has been postponed due to Newton Aycliffe’s FA Cup replay against Guisborough Town.

Photo credit: Darren Murphy