Home debut defeat brings new Teversal manager down to earth

The game started off slowly with both teams testing each other out for the first 20 minutes or so.

And even after that, real chances were few and far between. Knaresborough had a shot at the far post stopped on the goal line by Ryan Brooks in the Teversal goal and booted to safety.

Teversal, too, came close with a couple of shot that flew across the face of the goal.

The game, itself, finally sprang to life on the stroke of half-time when Teversal took the lead through Mark Robinson.

He stuck out a boot to touch home a centre from out on the left by Callum Pursglove, the ball nestling in the bottom corner past the keeper’s outstretched hand.

Knaresborough equalised almost immediately. From the kick-off they raced upfield and skipper Liam Gray was brought down with a challenge in the area.

The referee pointed to the penalty spot and Colin Heath stepped up and slotted the ball low and to Ryan Brook’s right.

The Tevie boys should have retaken the lead as early as the second minute of the second period when Callum Pursglove played a neat one-two with David Cockerill, but Tom Ryder in the Knaresborough goal saved well putting the ball out for a corner.

From that corner, Teversal captain Kris Witcombe had the ball in the back of the net, but the referee had already blown the whistle for a challenge on the goalkeeper.

A double substitution for the visitors saw the game change in their favour as sub Blaine Hobson got the second goal of the afternoon for the visitors.

From a long throw-in, Hobson headed the ball on and with a deflection off of Jacob Ashley the ball found its way into the corner of the net.

Teversal made a double change of their own, bringing on Oliver Wood and Colin Cockerill, but neither side conjured up any further real chances and, with Knaresborough hanging on with some resolute defending, the game ended 2-1 in favour of the visitors.

Teversal FC’s next game is on Saturday when the Tevie Boys travel to Pontefract Collieries in the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One with a 3pm kick-off up the Beechnut Lane Stadium in Pontefract.

TEVERSAL - Ryan Brooks, Will Harcourt, Danny Williams (Danny Pearson 66), Kris Witcombe, Jacob Ashley, Sean Gregory, Mark Robinson, Greg Tobin (Colin Cockerill 74), Will Dennis, David Cockerill, Callum Pursglove (Oliver Wood 74). Subs not used: Lee Townsend.

KNARESBOROUGH TOWN - Tom Ryder, Ben Clayton, Will Lenehan, Matt Duerden (Byron Littlefair 61), Dave Thomas, Liam Gray, Danny Wright, Jim Bradley, Colin Heath, Edmore Murau (Blaine Hobson 61), Nick Radcliffe. Subs not used: Weston Murau.

REFEREE - Daniel Bennett of West Yorkshire.

ATTENDANCE: 68.

TEVERSAL MAN OF THE MATCH: Teversal FC - Sean Gregory.