Scarborough 2nds fight back for 4-4 draw at Harrogate 5ths

Harrogate got the pushback to begin the match, it was clear from the early stages that it was going to be an evenly thought contest with both sets of attackers looking to get that decisive breakthrough.

Harrogate’s midfield were playing very narrow with sharp passing in the central channel.

The home side thought they had taken the lead through a deflected cross, the umpires ruled the goal out after the striker's leg guided the ball into the net.

Harrogate finally went 1-0 up with a precise strike inside the D.

Scarborough’s confidence grew with wave after wave of attacks. The visitors' front men were working hard by pressuring the home back line, this was playing into their hands as the tactic result in an equaliser.

Jay Meatheringham made it five goals in five appearance by timing his run to perfection at the right post by latching onto a drilled cross into the D from the right wing.

The away side had a catalogue of chances to move into the lead but were unable to convert the opportunities as they frustratingly went agonizingly past the post.

Charile Meatheringham was excellent in the middle of the park by providing link up play to the attackers and intercepting passes from Harrogate.

With both sides throwing men forward, Harrogate adapted well to the situation by packing the midfield, which left Scarborough short when defending and 2-1 was the scoreline to the home side as they bypassed Scarborough’s defence with intricate passing this allowed the attacker to place his shot calmly.

After a productive team talk by captain Daniel Bayes Scarborough got the second half underway in positive fashion by becoming a tuff nut to crack. Daniel Bayes, Tim Erkiert and Ben Richardson were nullifying Harrogate’s attempts on target with wonderful tackles and clearances.

Josh Briggs was having an amazing performance on the wings for Scarborough with determination while tracking back to help the defence out when short in numbers.

Harrogate opened up a two-goal advantage as space was left in midfield from Scarborough’s attacks, the midfielder was giving time on the ball to chip the away side's keeper, who had been making wonderful saves.

Scarborough looked to be dead and buried as they trailed 3-1 halfway through the second half, but they soon found inspiration to bring it back to 3-3.

This was through a fantastic work-rate by midfield to produce excellent opportunities.

The second goal was through a strike inside the D from Erkiert at close range and the third goal arrived through an explosive run from midfielder Briggs as they where time on the ball to pick their spot to give the keeper now chance.

Scarborough were now on the front foot, they where getting a lot of joy down the right wing as Briggs advanced down the channel with calm ball control and once at the bar line he produced dangerous balls into the D Harrogate were able to cut out them out.

With 10 minutes left on the clock Harrogate went 4-3 up through a quick counter attack once the striker moved into the d he was able to guide the ball through the legs of the goalkeeper.

The away side where not finished yet as they produced an equalizer through neat build up play inside the penalty area and Jay Meatheringham rifled the ball into the back of the net. Scarborough thought they had won it right at the death after excellent ball control down the left wing’s bar line to beat numerous defensive attacks, which the ball was pulled back for the sticker to tap in from close range.

After lengthy discussions the goal was disallowed for the ball going out of touch during build up play. The away side were able to withstand pressure from Harrogate’s attackers in the closing stages of the match.

Both Scarborough teams are away this weekend for a 16:30 pushback with the firsts playing Thirsk & Malton 2nds and the seconds away to Ben Rhydding 6ths.

Man of the match was awarded to Josh Briggs for having an excellent match in midfield when in possession of the ball & tracking back when Harrogate where on the attack.