THE HORNETS | Hebburn Town v Stocksbridge Park Steels | Issue 42

Daniel Moore First Team Manager

Mark Hudson Assistant Manager

Simon Harris First Team Coach

Carl Morris Goalkeeping Coach

FROM THE DUGOUT

DANIEL MOORE

TO THE GREEN ENERGY SPORTS GROUND FOR TODAY'S FIXTURE AGAINST STOCKSBRIDGE.

It wasn't a bad performance against Jarrow, we just struggled in the final third. The pitch didn't help it was soft and players were slipping, but we still could've been better. In cup competitions, all that matters is that you're through to the next round. We had 80% possession and the chances to win three or four games, so you start to think is it going to be our day. We were always in control of the game - they were defending deep and looking to hit us on the break.

In the last year, me and Mark Hudson have been on the wrong end of two shootouts so it was nice to win one. It's a nice way to win a football match - the lads are bright in the dressing room and it's given us a lift for today. Availability has been very low at the moment so it was nice to see Amar Purewal back - we used it as a training session for him to get some minutes in. Liam Henderson is just com so he n up to sp We gav Bada an Rutherf

chance as they train week in and week out with us. Stocksbridge are one of the in-form teams in the division - they’ve only lost to Worksop so they’ll be very tough opposition. We’ve got to use our last two results as a platform for our confidence to grow. We’ll be looking to beat these teams in and around us, which ultimately gets you where you

ON THE PITCH

ROBBIE SPENCE

TODAY'S DIGITAL MATCHDAY PROGRAMME,

THE HORNETS

.

I think we made it a bit harder than what it should've been if I'm honest against Jarrow. Don't get me wrong, we created plenty of chances and deserved a goal. Fair play to Jarrow for sitting in and making life difficult for us, but with a bit more quality in the final third, we should've finished the game. The clean sheet was nice it's something we've spoke about and wanted a few more of.

The result is the main thing in cup competitions and we got that so we're pleased.

The Durham Challenge Cup is a fairly prestigious competition and one which the gaffer has won before. He wants to win it again and we're fully onboard with that, so hopefully we'll go far. We know Stocksbridge are a good side who have be well rec It's ano who ar around

came away with a solid point at Cleethorpes last week.

If we can get a win today, it's a good four points in two games against teams near us. We know it'll be tough - we need to play similar to last Saturday to get anything out of the game.

NOTICEBOARD

NOTICEBOARD

Hebburn Town will travel to Whickham in the Durham Challenge Cup quarter-final.

The fixture will take place in the week preceding December 17 at First Mortgage Glebe. The Hornets have defeated Horden CW and Jarrow so far in this year's competition.

Whickham, who recently appointed Lee Haldane as manager, have beaten Durham Corinthians and a young South Shields side. The Lang Jacks are currently 10th in Northern League Division One, and lifted the Durham Challenge Cup in 2006.

Hebburn’s home fixture against Carlton Town in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division has meanwhile been rescheduled. We will now welcome the Nottinghamshire-based

outfit on Tuesday, December 6 at 7:45pm. The Millers have shot to 14th in the standings after impressive back-to-back victories against Pontefract Collieries and Dunston.

Daniel Moore's side picked up our first point in four games last weekend away to Cleethorpes.

Dan Groves won a free kick on the edge of the area on 17 minutes, but the Cleethorpes wall blocked Sean Reid’s powerful attempt.

Robbie Spence hooked a 25yard strike over for Hebburn, before Declan Howe’s closerange free-kick was blocked for Cleethorpes.

An action-packed first half continued and the hosts nearly took the lead as Alex Flett’s corner was headed back across goal by Paul Walker.

After the half-hour, Flett took the ball forward himself and sliced a shot over in a great position for Cleethorpes.

At the other end, Hebburn

created a prime opportunity as Martin was lobbed through one-on-one but Tom Jackson got down well. With 73 on the clock, Flett played a set-piece short to Will Annan, but Shaun Newbrook held the substitute’s shot well.

The Hornets broke the deadlock with 15 to go, as Dan Groves’ cross caused a scramble in the Cleethorpes area before James Harrison smashed the ball home. With three minutes to go, Howe equalised for Cleethorpes by meeting a cross from the right at close range.

Hebburn nearly found a winner at the death as Liam Murray slipped through Harrison, however Walker made a great low save.

DURHAM CHALLENGE CUP

BY DAVID COULTHARD

Hebburn Town progressed to the Durham Challenge Cup quarter-final on Tuesday night.

The first chance of the game came in the sixth minute when Lewis Rutherford's left footed cross found Amar Purewal at the near post but he glanced his header wide. Robbie Spence headed over the bar from a corner as the game reached the halfway point of the first period. Purewal then saw his close range effort well saved by Graeme Pickering after Rutherford's knock down, and the loose ball broke to Liam Murray, whose shot was off target.

On 36, Arron Thompson swung in a cross, which James Harrison fired over. Hebburn had a glorious

opportunity on 74 when Dan Groves broke clear and squared for Liam Henderson, who took a touch before Pickering blocked.

Shaun Newbrook got Hebburn off to the perfect start in the shootout when he saved from Abubaker Salim, however Joe Walton's miss meant the game went to sudden death. Alex Berhan originally had his effort saved, but Newbrook was deemed to have come off his line early and referee Christopher Joyce ordered a retake, which was scored for Jarrow. AfterLiam Murray made it six from seven for Hebburn, Evan Whittle blazed over the bar to ensure it was the Hornets that progress to the quarter-finals.

LIAM HENDERSON

AN INTRODUCTION

PLAYER SPONSORS

BY DAVID COULTHARD

Stocksbridge are one point below Hebburn Town, sitting in sixth place. Stocksbridge Park Steels were formed in 1986 when Stocksbridge Works merged with Oxley Park, and they instantly made numerous improvements to their Bracken Moor Stadium to support a rise through the footballing pyramid. The mid 1990s brought a period of success as Steels established themselves as one of the strongest sides in the NCEL and they achieved promotion to the Northern Premier League First Division in 1996, before establishing themselves well at that level over the next five years. In 2009, Steels reached the Premier Division after seeing off Belper Town in the play-off final but were relegated back to their

They are five-time winners of the Sheffield and Hallamshire Senior Cup. Stocksbridge’s most famous players of all time are Jamie Vardy in his younger days, and Chris Waddle, who played just a single game in 2002. Perhaps a little-known fact is that in 2002 during a 17-1 victory in the qualifying rounds, Steels’ Paul Jackson equalled an all-time FA Cup record for most goals during a match when he bagged 10 against Oldham Town. Ian Richards’ side defeated Hebburn twice last season, scoring five on both occasions. current level five years later.

KEY PLAYERS

PLAYER SPONSORS

CHARLIE OGLESBY ROCK AT THE BACK

TOMAS POOLE ATTACKING THREAT

LAST MATCH

Stocksbridge Park Steels recorded a 30 home victory over Bridlington Town in the Pitching In Northern Premier League East Division at The Bracken Moor Stadium.

James Williamson almost gave Bridlington a first

half lead, but a goal line clearance denied his header, and he couldn’t quite force the rebound home.

Steels made a quick start to the second period and took the lead when Tomas Poole’s deflected effort drifted over James Hitchcock, who was off his line.

Lewis Macaskill then doubled their advantage when he curled through a crowded area into the bottom corner.

Bridlington were reduced to 10 men after Jack Bulless was sent off, with Stocksbridge then wrapping the game up through Poole’s second.

RUTHERFORD EARNS CHANCE

PLAYER SPONSORS

Seventeen-year-old Lewis Rutherford was delighted to make his first senior start on Tuesday.

The young forward has climbed through the ranks of Hebburn Town and impressed for the U18s during the last year. He came off the bench five times last season, before Daniel Moore handed Rutherford a first start in Durham Challenge Cup

action against Jarrow.

“It was a great feeling,” Rutherford admitted.

“I’ve been training with the first-team for quite a while and I’ve been in and out of the squads, which has been a good opportunity to impress.

“Getting a start under my belt was a different feeling I really enjoyed being out there.

“I thought I played well

when I got at the full-back and put a few decent crosses in.

“I probably could’ve kept the ball better and tested the keeper a bit more, but I’m happy with my performance all round.”

The teenage striker also spent pre-season in the firstteam set-up, and has made the matchday squad a few times since.

“There’s a massive difference compared to youth football,” he stated.

“You learn quickly with match experience some of the defenders are quite physical so it’s about what you can do on the ball as well as off it.

“The lads are great in training and I feel as though I’m developing well - I’ve obviously still got a few years to go.

“I learnt a lot in pre-season, it was a chance to impress under the new gaffers and play against different teams. “I took a lot of different

things away - when we played Sunderland for example, it was about pressing at the right moments and being strong off the ball.

“Then when we played against rougher teams, the focus was on winning the battle and being clean in possession.

“Alongside the squad, I definitely benefited from coming up against a mixture of opponents and grew several aspects of my game.”

Rutherford has shone for the U18s this term, scoring seven in his last two appearances for Stephen Hymers’ outfit.

The frontman missed the start of the campaign due to suspension, but was pleased to come back all guns blazing.

“We’ve had a good start to the season,” he commented.

“The league is a bit different this year as quite a few teams dropped out late.

“I was suspended for the first few games after getting sent

off against Morpeth in the FA Youth Cup, but I’ve come back fresh and ready.

“I’ve scored a few goals and we’ve won quite a few so it’s really positive at the minute. “That experience with the first-team has definitely helped me and the U18 coaches are pushing me on to get even more game time.”