Westella & Willerby 0-4 Beverley Town
Torrential rain wouldn’t dampen Beverley’s celebrations on Saturday as Town confirmed their first league title in 7 years with an away victory against their closest competitors Westella & Willerby.
Even though the conditions continued to worsen throughout the game, Beverley’s quality was plain to see. The game began with Town on the front foot at full throttle in order to get that all important goal that would secure the championship with two games to go. Pressure from Beverley resulting in the ball in the back of the net would be repeatedly prevented by Westella’s keeper. Waudby would have an effort saved at the near-post, Baldwin and Bowes would attempt shots from corners but once again the Westella keeper would keep it at 0-0.
Eventually, a Westella defender would make a mistake under pressure from Olly Baldwin. The pacey winger passed across goal for Bowes who’s shot is parried out by the opposition goalkeeper but Baldwin would find the ball at his feet again, hitting the ball home to make it 1-0. The away dugout would rush out in celebration but there was still 70 minutes to go and with the rain still falling, anything could happen.
Beverley’s dominance would continue through the first half though, the side looked free of any nerves, they knew the title was in their hands if they played like they have all season. Stu Oliver would show off some great quality in his pass to Will Waudby on the wing, swinging in a ball from the halfway line. Waudby would run to the edge of the box hitting it into the back of the net with great power to double the lead to all but secure the title.
Second half, the message was clear; don’t let the performance levels drop. Westella would have periods where they’d find themselves putting balls into the box but overall for the game, Beverley continued their time in the driving seat.
Everyone in the squad did their bit with the midfield and defence’s positioning preventing any potential Westella attacks coming to fruition. This meant the attack could play more free flowing football as they had the confidence the wall of players behind them would pick up the ball if they were to be dispossessed. Baldwin, Waudby, Bowes, and Danny Norton would create a number of chances for each other but Stu Oliver would get the deciding cross into the box, getting the ball to Baldwin on the farpost who nodded the ball down to Danny Norton who strikes the ball for 3-0.
The feel good factor of the game coming from the knowing at the full time whistle Beverley would be Humber Premier champions would only be added to when Charlie Dunkerley came on for Olly Baldwin. Fellow substitute Nathan White crossed from deep to find Dunkerley who tapped it home with his first touch of the game to round out the scoring, hitting the net for the first time since October.
After the final whistle blew, the sportsmanship came first. The shaking of hands between the two sides before the inevitable celebrations. Champagne, singing, and everything you associate with title wins were there. A side and management team worthy of the title and with two games to go, a midweek away game to bottom side North Ferriby Reserves and a Saturday trip to Pocklington Town means the celebrations aren’t over just yet with a title lift to go.
Beverley Line Up: James Hitchcock, Ry Holmes, Dean Larvin (Nathan White), Michael O’Connell, Zak Oakshott, Kurt Bedford, Olly Baldwin (Charlie Dunkerley), Will Waudby, Adam Bowes (Joe Norton), Danny Norton (Jason Crisp) , Stu Oliver
Match Report: Riley Somerville
