Match Reports                                 
                                 
Graeme Wilson                                   

 

Photos by  David Robinson and T OHearne

Kidsgrove Athletic 4, Goole AFC 0

Just seven days after taking Kidsgrove to the cleaners at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds, Goole AFC found a similar fate belittling them in the return fixture
at the Stan Brown Stadium on Saturday, and it was an abysmal performance from a side believing they have play-off aspirations.
An already weakened defence was made to look second rate as the home side still battling against relegation took full revenge for their 6-2 defeat and could have won by a far wider margin had it not been for a Man of the Match show from keeper Craig Parry.
However even he was powerless to stop the hosts taking the lead with one of the fastest goals of the season in just 19 seconds from Liam Shotton, who was allowed plenty of time and space, but finished with aplomb.
Conditions were poor, strong, gusty wind accompanied by driving rain, but the Vikings could have been three down inside the first five minutes with Michael Lennon and Steve Hones seeing
efforts desperately close, indeed the woodwork came to Goole's rescue via Parry's hand.
Slowly, Goole did start to get into the game and debutant Chris Kamara's surging run almost provided an opening, but the cross eluded everyone, inviting as it was across a muddy goalmouth.
However any hopes of a revival were hit in the second half, firstly defender James O'Neill collided with the close proximity of the boundary wall and sustained a horrible looking ankle injury
which make shim look doubtful for some time, and then the defence totally fell apart in the last half hour.
On 62 minutes a well wqorked corner routine saw Jones' near post run met with a powerful finish past Parry, and then two goals in the closing ten minutes from Phil Hadland, seconds after Parry had made a superb penalty save from Lennon, a harsh award, and then Lennon finished Goole off with a solo run and confident finish which even Parry could not cope with.
Indeed not only was there the penalty save, but fine stops from Morris and Beeston saved Goole from further embarrassment.
Any bright spots for Goole? Well a sound enough second debut for Chris Kamara, and Andrew Jackson worked well without much success in the middle of the park.
Perhaps had Steve Rollinson gone for goal instead of unselfishly crossing early in the second half, the outcome may have been different, but that is clutching at straws and the Vikings
face tests of character in the last month of the regular season, and a need for a return to consistency, if they are to extend their campaign into the play-offs

Goole AFC 6, Kidsgrove Athletic 2

Don't let anyone write the Vikings' chances of the play-offs just yet! They crept back into the last spot on Saturday courtesy of a massive win over lowly Kidsgrove Athletic at a bitterly cold Victoria Pleasure Grounds, but in scoring six goals for the first time in the UniBond League they warmed their supporters and more importantly in a desperately tight looking scrap for those coveted end of season places, they improved their goal difference which looks likely to be decisive.
Although they have always managed to score in most games this term, Goole have been guilty of missing chances, but despite the malaise afflicting them once more in some respects they did score six.
Karl Rose;s first goal in three and a half months gave them a 20th minute lead, the visitors livid at what they thought was a flag for offside, when in truth the assistant was signalling a free kick for Goole which he thought the referee had missed, but who was instead playing advantage.
However, Goole's vulnerability of late in defence, minus Liam Chapman and manager Nigel Danby, saw the visitors level through a powerful close range header from Stephen Jones, although it has to be said it was an excellent cross from the dead ball line.
Goole restored their lead on 43 minutes with a well placed direct free kick from Duncan Bray, his 17th goal of the campaign, and how the Vikings miss him when he is not there.
Right on half time, a little breathing space too as Steve Rollinson was on hand almost on the goal line to shepherd Andrew Jackson's shot into the net.
The cushion was needed though as during the interval, the weather deteriorated as the wind increased into the faces of the Goole side, and Kidsgrove pulled one back in a strong start to the half when Chris Jenkinson was adjudged to have handled a shot from Michael Lennon and Richard Eyre just beat Craig Parry from the spot.
Lennon's trickery for Kidsgrove threatened more pain briefly, but Goole rolled up their sleeves and Bray made it 4-2 when he finished coolly from James McDaid's excellently weighted cross and then in a strong finish from the home side, substitute Chris Tate used all his experience and a cool head to beat Coates for 5-2 and then Bray's shot on the turn ballooned off the head of a defender for 6-2 in an excellent finish from the home team.
It was the perfect fillip for this afternoon's local 'derby' at Brigg, and they face a return game at Kidsgrove on Saturday as they strive for a big finale to the campaign.

vikings cup hopes blown away

Goole AFC 1, F.C United of Manchester 3

Goole can have few complaints from a largely disappointing performance which saw them lose their UniBond League Presidents Cup semi final against F.C United
at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
The side formed by disillusioned Manchester United supporters following the takeover of the club by Malcolm Glazer celebrated their reprieve from a quarter final loss at Nantwich and
adapted to the conditions better at a windswept VPG.
And Goole, who normally master such conditions well themselves, simply had one of those days and also saw player/manager Nigel Danby sent off in the second half, an act simply borne out
of frustration as he kicked out needlessly at midfielder Josh Howard/
With the ground's largest competitive attendance in over twenty years ( just on the 1000 mark) and that was pretty amazing given distractions elsewhere in Yorkshire, the Vikings had the elements at their backs in the first half, and although dominating possession, they lacked the spark up front with Duncan Bray missing the best chance on 22 minutes when a long clearance by
Craig Parry caught on the wing, but the leading scorer screwed his shot wide of Aaron Grundy's goal.
The turning point came either side of the half time break, with Bray's free kick hitting the foot of the post on 43 minutes, and then in added on time United went ahead when good work by Rory Paterson saw the Goole defence fail to clear their lines and Chris Baguley shot home from 12 yards.
Worse was to come two minutes into the second half when more excellent work by Baguley, saw him beat three players and then his 40 yard shot totally deceived Parry, who could only help the shot into the net.
And the tie was effectively sealed on the hour when Paterson had acres of time and space in the penalty are to make it three.
To be fair Goole never gave in, and were given a little hope when James O'Neill finished well after Bray did well on the bye-line and had Andy Jackson then scored eight minutes later it may have set up a grandstand finish.
However Danby's dismissal and a largely overall bad day at the office contributed to this exit at the semi final stage and they are now left free to concentrate on the main goal which is to secure a play-off place and hopefully promotion to the Premier Division.
That continues at Cammell Laird on Wednesday evening, kick off 7.45pm with Danny Buttle an absentee once more with ankle trouble.
Another sour note on a disappointing afternoon was crowd trouble which required a police presence to try and bring matters under control.

Gresley Rovers 3, Goole AFC 3

A dramatic late goal by Chris Tate right at the end of five minutes of added on time earned the Vikings a point, of which anything less would have been a complete injustice.
They dominated the magnificent game of football at the Moat Ground on Tuesday night, but had to rely on Tate's late, late show due to the finishing power of Gresley leading scorer David Blenkinsopp, who returned from injury to score twice and seemingly inflict defeat on the Vikings.
However this team never lies down, and despite seeing a brilliantly taken effort by Brad Hill cancelled out five minutes from time for alleged pushing, and seeing Tate's header at point-blank range saved by Clarke, they persevered and won that more than valuable point.
Tate was the only change in the line-up from Saturday, replacing Joe Brown, and he looked as sharp as he has since returning from injury, which bodes well, but he was only one of the whole Vikings side who played their part in a thrilling game.
Gresley went ahead against the run of play on 21 minutes when a corner on the left found Miles Chamberlain at the back post to head home past Craig Parry.
That had been their first, and was their only serious raid of the first 45 minutes as Goole played their best football for some time, on the ground, at pace and after Tate had gone close with a header and Bray had seen effort blocked, Andy Jackson equalised with a fine shot from 30 yards, low and hard past Clarke, who had done well to turn away James McDaid's drive seconds before. It was the Goole-born midfielder's first goal since Boxing Day.
A curling 25 yard shot by James O'Neill was inches wide of the far post just before the break, a half the Vikings could feel pleased about.
If the first half was good, the second was even better and had it not been for Clarke in the Gresley goal, Goole would have been celebrating the three points, never mind what transpired.
And yet they had to come from behind twice with Blenkinsopp, a dangerous customer, taking full advantage of lacks of concentration by Liam Chapman of all people to score with the two chances the home side had. They were on 49 and 69 minutes as the former Nuneaton forward took his goals tally to 23 for the season since his September signing.
The fact Goole fought back twice speaks volumes and they did it with sparkling football which deserved nothing less, and on another night they would have won.
Duncan Bray equalised at 2-2 on 53 minutes with a lovely finish on the run from 20 yards, and he almost embarrassed Clarke seconds later with a lob that drifted just wide.
Clarke then saved from Jackson, Tate, Bray and Nigel Danby, albeit off the top of the manager's head as the Vikings did dominate, and it seemed it wouldn't be their night when Tate headed straight at the keeper at the beginning of injury time, only for him to apply the final touch to a Chapman header from a corner and this time Clarke could not keep it out.

Bray hat-trick aids vikings

Goole AFC 3 Alsager Town 1

In a game completely dominated by the gale force wind making any kind of football impossible, Goole AFC nevertheless deserved to strengthen their play-off hopes with a win over Alsager Town at the Victoria Pleasure Ground.
However, it is highly likely that visiting keeper Danny Roberts will want to forget his first visit to the Pleasure Grounds, as he was responsible for all three Vikings goals and the
grateful recipient was striker Duncan Bray, who scored his first hat-trick for the club on his return from a one match ban.
A swirling wind perhaps just favoured the Vikings in the first half although chances were few and far between, although Joe Brown, in only his third full game did have two decent openings but snatched his shot on both occasions and they went harmlessly wide, however Brown did shine in the first half before his surprising substitution early in the second.
Goole broke through on 31 minutes when good vision by keeper Craig Parry saw a two against two situation up field and his long kick caused confusion between defender Steve Elks and keeper Roberts and the ball broke for Bray to run the ball into the empty net.
However Alsager levelled six minutes later when a rare mistake by Goole's excellent keeper Parry who missed his punch allowed Elks to atone for his part in the Goole goal by snatching the equaliser.
After the break, Goole rallied well and they dominated proceedings for the most part, but will be grateful to Roberts' misdemeanours.
The lead was regained on 59 minutes when Bray's free kick appeared to slip under the body of the keeper, who was unable to pull it back as it staggered over the line.
The introduction of Chris Tate livened Goole further although they had a scare on 71 minutes wen Chris Budrys shot against the outside of the post as a cross was allowed to drop invitingly in the penalty area.
However the win was confirmed eight minutes from time when Bray's shot from 18 yards again squirmed under Roberts' body, who really should have done better to keep a well hit, but hardly powerful shot out.
Goole nearly added a fourth in injury time when Tate was inches away from Rollinson's ball into the area, but it was the perfect start to a hectic fortnight for the club starting at Gresley tuesday night  and then next Saturday when a crowd of approximately 1500 is expected to see the Presidents Cup semi final with FC United at the VPG, the Manchester side reinstated to the competition after Nantwich field an ineligible player in the quarter final win.

Two late goals blow goole's chances

Carlton Town 2 Goole AFC 1

The Vikings knew what to expect from their trip to Carlton on Saturday, but how disappointing it was for the vast army of supporters that they threw away a hard-earned one goal lead with two pieces of sloppy defending in the last quarter as the home side got revenge for a defeat back in November.
That night Carlton had hammered away at the Goole goal for long periods without reward, on Saturday despite having a lot of possession in favourable first half condition they met a resolute back four who allowed them few sights of goal, so even more upsetting that late on they lost concentration twice to go down to only their fourth league defeat since September.
How much of a bearing it will have on the race for play-off positions remains to be seen, but an angry Nigel Danby, who left himself out of the starting line-up said afterwards: " We deserved everything we got this afternoon, we have only ourselves to blame, and training on Tuesday will return to the basics."
Into the teeth of a strong wind down the ground, Goole had to soak up plenty of Carlton possession in the first half, but only once were they seriously threatened and that was in a goalmouth
scramble where Phil Bignall and Darryl Thomas had chances to net from close range before Chris Jenkinson cleared.
The last ten minutes of the first half saw the Vikings press hard on the home goal and Liam Chapman headed wide from Danny Buttle's cross and James McDaid was inches away from connecting with Chris Tate's pass.
Tate and fellow strike partner Karl Rose worked tirelessly in the first half, and with little change in conditions after the break, the momentum of the game changed the Vikings' way.
After Danny Buttle wasted a good opportunity on 56 minutes, shooting straight at keeper Barcherini, and then having to leave the field under a late challenge from Dominic Thomas, Goole broke through on 65 minutes in superb style.Tate's brilliant control and pass forward found McDaid in the inside left position, and he left the keeper for dead, who was some way off his line, but what vision from 25 yards.
McDaid had a goal chalked off for offside, dubiously so, but then the world fell apart for Goole as a long ball forward was allowed to bounce in the penalty area and substitute Smith beat the exposed Craig Parry for the equaliser.
And eight minutes later fellow substitute Steve Chaplin took advantage of a poor clearing header by Chapman to cut inside and beat Parry with a lovely finish in the left hand corner.
Sespite a late half chance for Tate, a lot of free kicks in the final minutes meant Goole could not recapture any momentum and they slid to a setback, one which will have to be erased quickly after a promising eight match unbeaten run.

A point dropped or one gained!

Goole AFC 1, Gresley Rovers 1

iS IT OR ISNT IT !!

Although the Vikings slid a place in the table following their 1-1 draw with Gresley Rovers on Saturday, it wasn't too bad a day overall for Nigel Danby's side as their play-off rivals, Grantham apart, all slipped up.
And looking at the overall performance from this game of two halves, it would be wise to assume that it may even be a point gained in the long run as the Vikings went from excellent in the first half to abysmal for long periods of the second.
The first half, at times, was as good in terms of football that Goole have played all season, and with more luck in front of goal could have been well ahead at the break as Andrew Jackson in the midfield, and Chris Tate and Duncan Bray up front caused lots of problems for the Gresley back four.
That they only had a superbly taken goal by Bray to show for their efforts didn't do them justice, but the build up which saw the joint leading scorer head home was a joy to watch with
Tate and James McDaid exchanging passes before the midfielder delivered a lovely cross.
Bray had gone close before and a volley overhead by Tate deserved more before the goal.
Gresley had one or two dangerous raids themselves, and Stefan Marshall will wonder how he contrived to shoot straight at Craig Parry from inside the six yard box seconds before the half time whistle.
Gresley keeper Clarke had looked shaky under the high ball in the first half, and with the sun setting in his eyes in the second, it was expected Goole may give him more aeriel bombardment, but the visitors instead dominated the first 25 minutes of the second half, and had they not wasted a series of promising set piece positions, may well have made the Vikings suffer.
As it was it took a penalty from Tom Groves for handball against Tate on 69 minutes to equalise, the Vikings striker keeping out a Marshall effort after a sliced clearance had put Goole under pressure. It was amazing that the former Halifax and Scarborough forward stayed on the field, but the referee claimed afterwards he was not sure which Goole player had handled and it was a let off in one respect, if not the other.
Goole tried to rally in the final quarter as Steve Rollinson and Joe Brown were introduced, and it appeared as if they may have grabbed the winner when Clarke came and missed a corner on the left, and Liam Chapman's header looked to have crossed the line, but the assistant waved play on, and it has to be said that any Goole claims were quiet and muted.
And at the end, in fairness and Goole managed Nigel Danby confessed: " We didn't really deserve any more for our second half efforts."

Goole AFC 2 Wakefield 1

The Vikings dug deep with 10 men once more to clinch a place in the semi final of the UniBond Presidents Cup after a narrow 2-1 win over Wakefield at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
However after the visitors had equalised early in the second half, and then Goole had Steve Rollinson sent off on the hour, it appeared as if Ronnie Glavin's side would go on and knock the in-form home side out, however much of the Vikings' recent run of form has been built on a terrific work ethic and togetherness and after taking the lead for a second time through Danny Buttle they held on, and in fact did so comfortably enough.
A largely quiet first half was highlighted by a candidate for goal of the season from Chris Jenkinson, who hit a stinging 25 yard volley which left Andy Woods clutching at thin air.
Otherwise chances were few and far between with Wakefield busy and industrious until the final third of the field where they lacked a spark.
Chris Tate, in his first full game for 18 months, showed glimpses of how important he will be to the Vikings in their promotion chase, and one delightful ball for Danny Buttle nearly brought a second for the home side.
However, the second half started with the visitors in complete control and they equalised through Chris Hitchings after a slip by Jenkinson on half way allowed Bobby Stevenson to race clear and eventually cross.
And when Howarth struck the post minutes later, and Rollinson was dismissed, Goole who also lost Liam Chapman with a broken nose on half time, were rocking.
However substItute Karl Rose, on for Tate, then did ever so well on the right hand side in an isolated raid and his cross was turned home by Buttle at the near post.
Goole gained confidence from this and hit the upright themselves through Bray, and generally held on well in the closing minutes despite Craig Laight having two reasonable chances to force extra time, but Craig Parry was equal to two headers from good positions.
A delighted Nigel Danby said afterwards: " We have done ever so well to recover from those early second half blows, and it shows the spirit, fight and commitment from a good set of lads."

Goole AFC 2 Warrington Town 1

Wins against Warrington have never been easy to achieve for the Vikings, one in six prior to Saturday so the three points gained from a largely scrappy encounter at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds were more than welcome and lifted them into third place in UniBond League One South.
Two goals in the first 20 minutes of the liveliest action of the match did the job, although they had to endure a nervy last eight minutes when the Cheshire side pilled a goal back as
reward for their improved second half.
The first 45 minutes could have brought an avalanche of goals for Goole against a Warrington defence which looked anything but assured.
Duncan Bray took advantage of such lethargy when he reacted well to a ball allowed to bounce from a long clearance and he beat Shane McWeeney with ease.
Three minutes later, and this time another long ball forward, this time saw the visitors' centre half Tony Dunne lob past his own keeper for a bizarre own goal under no pressure.
Warrington were staring down the barrel it seemed at a heavy defeat, but they survived hairy moments, none more so than a couple of Danny Buttle thunderbolts which looked destined for goal, but on both occasions were blocked, the first deflected wide with the keeper going the wrong way, and the second could have been a penalty as it appeared to strike Brown's hand, but the referee waved aside the claims, as he did at the other end when a shot by Lamb seemed to strike Nigel Danby's hand.
The warnings of a recovery from Warrington were therejust before the break when Craig Parry made a brilliant save from Brown.
In the second half, the visitors had plenty of the ball, but they had left their shooting boots in Cheshire it seemed, numerous shots from distance threatening the road traffic outside the ground rather than keeper Parry.
Chances were scarce at the other end too, although Andy Jackson went close, and Bray had a goal disallowed for offside.
However eventually Warrington did ensure a nervous end when Spearritt netted from a rebound after Parry had done well to save from Lamb' well struck free kick, but despite four minutes of added on time, the points remained in Goole's pocket and their play-off hopes strengthen by the week, and if they can put another run of unbeaten matches together as they did in October and November, who knows they could go up automatically

Goole continue to bloom

Spalding United 2, Goole AFC 3

The scoreline may look close, but the Vikings strengthened their play-off credentials once more in UniBond League One South with victory at Spalding on Saturday.
However there is never anything quite routine for Nigel Danby's side, for they had to play 82 minutes of the match with 10 men after Craig Marsh's league debut was cut short in an altercation with Danny Hargreaves, which on the intervention of the assistant referee was deemed serious enough to warrant a red card, apparently for a head butt.
However, even with 10 men, Goole dominated the next half hour and with James McDaid back in a red shirt for the first time since re-signing from Harrogate Railway, it was he and fellow midfielder Andrew Jackson, who opened up the Tulips' defence on numerous occasions.
And it was McDaid, who shot his side in front on the quarter hour mark with an instant first time angled volley from a partial clearance, which went in off the inside of the far post.
And four minutes later only a desperate clearance by the keeper off his own line denied a second, after he miskicked a back pass by Pawson.
Brad Hill made it two for the Vikings on 35 minutes when he rose cleanly at a McDaid corner to head home from close range.
The home side retaliated before the break with Luke Forbes shooting home with Craig Parry seemingly unsighted in the Goole goal.
In the second half, it was largely a midfield scrap which Goole always had control of, but it was only when they made their substitutions that they made the game safe with Steve Rollinson
netting the third when he ran onto a delightful through ball by Jackson and placed his shot past Pledger.
Player parity was restored in the 73rd minute when Gary Pawson, who had just been booked minutes before, then appeared to kick James O'Neill on the floor, and he didn't wait to see his fate from referee Guest.
Goole were more than happy to see out time with Karl Rose missing a golden chance to make it 4-1 before three minutes into injury time, Spalding won a penalty when Hill brought down Pritchard, who got up to beat Parry from the spot, but that was the last kick of the game and the home side's disastrous home form, just two points from 13 games, continued as Goole, with results elsewhere around them going well, are looking a good bet for the end of season play-offs.

Super Sub does it again

Goole AFC 1, Nantwich Town 0

Goole's dip in fortunes of late has come because of a return to their poor defensive ways of last season, however Saturday's narrow, but vital win over
fellow play-off contenders Nantwich Town at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds saw a return to form in that department, and they had to be against a most accomplished Cheshire side.
And then having soaked up plenty of first half pressure, a much improved all round display in the second was capped with Chris Tate's first goal for the club since October 2006 as he came off the substitute's bench once more to give his side three crucial points.
The first 45 minutes had belonged to the visitors, who had long spells of possession, although apart from one shot by Andy Kinsey which struck the post, and a good save by Craig Parry to deny former Goole Town striker Kevin Ward, the defence with Liam Chapman a colossus coped well.
Goole's only chance of the first half dame on 40 minutes when Duncan Bray did well to control on the edge of the area, but his shot on the turn was comfortably held by Lee Jones.
In the second half the tide turned as Goole at last started to assert with Andy Jackson coming into his own in the midfield, although apart from a Karl Rose shot they posed few threats on goal.
Nantwich still looked dangerous and Parry saved well from Kinsey once more and Griggs could have done better too.
In the last quarter Goole used all their substitutes and it was Tate, with his ability to bring his colleagues into the game, who was to score the vital goal with six minutes to go.
Ian McLean produced the one quality ball that had been missing all afternoon from a free kick deep on the left, and when Jones half came, he was stuck in no man's land as Tate directed a fine header home at the far post, cue joyous celebrations on the pitch and terraces.
One late fright for Goole came when Carter got away down the right, but he went for the near post, where Parry had covered when a shot across goal may have brought the equaliser.
A big win for Goole, their first in the leaguer for a month, and they move up to fourth in the table but expect both these sides to be in the promotion equation come the end of April.

Presidents Cup Round 3

Goole AFC 2 Stocksbridge Park Steels 1

For the second successive Saturday, Goole and Stocksbridge locked horns at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds, this time a place in the last eight of the Presidents Cup was at stake
and a lack-lustre game was only brought to life by the re-appearance of Chris Tate for the Vikings after a 15 month lay off.
Tate, who damaged a knee in an FA Trophy replay defeat at Kidsgrove in October 2006, has been back in training for six weeks and has played five a side football to see how things were, and his return to the fold could prove timely as Nigel Danby's side chase honours on two fronts.
Before his appearance off the bench with twenty five minutes to go, Goole hardly looked as if they were going to pull back a fifth minute penalty for the visitors converted by Adam Brown after Danby fouled Adam Ring.
The Vikings seemed off colour for the most part, but the double substitution of Tate and Joe Brown for Ashley Longstaff and Karl Rose made the difference.
The equaliser came in the 71st minute with the best move of the entire game seeing Brown and Tate link together and Duncan Bray was brought crashing down in the area and Danny Buttle made no mistake from the spot.
Eight minutes later and Goole snatched the eventual winner when Bray beat keeper Jeffrey with a shot that the Stocksbridge No. 1 appeared to lose in flight as it looped over his head into goal.
There was still time for a nervy last few minutes where the player manager of all people attempted a pass across his own six yard line which could have proved costly, fortunately no visiting striker could take advantage and Goole held on to make it through.
James O'Neill and Ian McLean had decent games in a drab affair, which only came to life with Tate's introduction, and how timely that could be for the remaining months of the season.

Belper Town 1, Goole AFC 1

Eight bookings, three sendings off, a penalty and a missed penalty, oh and a Happy New Year.
Yes 2008 started with a bang at Christchurch Meadow on Tuesday afternoon, but let us put the record straight. The game was not worthy of all the incident, there was not one bad tackle of note in the 90 minutes and it was referee Mark Jones who was left to spoil what could have been a good game with some bizarre decisions.
None more so than in the closing minutes when a minor altercation in the Belper penalty area grabbed his attention, but in the meantime he had not stopped play and the ball was 90 yards down the other end of the field with the Vikings under pressure before he caught up, by which time the danger was cleared.
And of the sendings off, including Vikings' assistant manager, and substitute Mike Norbury without even entering play? Well technically he was perhaps correct, but his judgement can be brought into question of how he allowed himself to get in that position, and it was evident especially in the first half that anything resembling a foul from a player in red was going to be punished, and frustration set in on and off the field for the followers that made the journey south on the opening day of a New Year.
Liam Chapman was the first to go, his first half caution meant when he was adjudged to have brought down Lee Stevenson in the area, the inevitable occurred, although the Goole defender was incandescent with rage at the injustice. That justice was restored as Ross Hannah's spot kick was saved well by Craig Parry, who had a superb game overall too.
Chris Jenkinson also saw a red card, or a second yellow a minute from time, again nothing untoward, but having been booked earlier the referee left himself nowhere to go.
And as for Norbury, his dismissal came on the advice of the assistant referee, where a section of the crowd were berating the Goole bench and he was sent off without even going on the field.
What of the football? Well it wasn't a classic and was never going to be and both sides had their moments with a weakened Goole minus Andrew Jackson, Duncan Bray and Ian McLean finishing each half the stronger, and may well have snatched the points at the end despite their numerical disadvantage, although overall they have to be content with a point.
The home side had plenty of possession in the first half hour, most it has to be said from free kicks in the Vikings half, but they were wasteful although Parry's handling and positioning were good.
Goole went close through a James O'Neill header after excellent work by Danny Buttle and Steve Rollinson in the best move of the match and Dean Sidebottom forced Adam Ogden to a low save.
After the break, and although Rollinson almost put the Vikings ahead it was Belper who did go in front from a well worked move which saw Hannah beat Parry with a crisp shot, although the home striker was the villain seconds later as he somehow headed over from an Andy Rushbury cross.
The Vikings were rocking for a quarter of an hour, but the turning point was the introduction of Joe Brown for Sidebottom, and although he wasn't to score, his contribution was such that the home defence looked shaky, and Goole equalised from the penalty spot on 74 minutes with O'Neill brought down in the area, crucially going away from goal which probably was the reason the defender escaped censure and after a wait of at least a minute whilst the home side made a substitution, Danny Buttle fired home and despite all the late dramas with dismissals and a missed penalty, the Vikings looked likely to win it and Ashley Longstaff was inches away from doing that

Goole drop more home points

Goole AFC 2, Stocksbridge Park Steels 2

For the second time in four days, Goole dropped home points in their bid to remain in the race for play off places in UniBond League Division One South.
After defeat to Brigg on Boxing Day, conceding two goals in the final seven minutes which turned the game on its head, the Vikings let a lead slip once more
against Stocksbridge at a windswept, rain lashed Victoria Pleasure Grounds, although this time they had trailed to the South Yorkshire side.
In fairness the conditions dictated that this was never going to be any ordinary game and both sides more or less dominated the half they had the elements with them.
In other words Stocksbridge had the best of the opening 45 minutes and took the lead on 19 minutes when an inswinging free kick from out on the right by Alwyn Riley found a way
through a sea of legs and beat Craig Parry inside the far post.
And had it not been for the woodwork eight minutes later, it would have been two as Vardy's shot came back off the post.
Towards the end of the half, Goole did respond with a Karl Rose header wide and two efforts cleared off the line by defenders.
Goole had to replace the injured Andrew Jackson at half time, who now seems likely to miss tomorrow afternoon's trip to Belper, kick off 3pm, Dean Sidebottom on in his place
and the game changed, especially as the visitors now had driving rain as well as a near gale in their faces.
And on 56 minutes, Ian McLean's free kick from an almost identical position to Riley's in the first half, was touched home by Brad Hill for the equaliser, the midfielder's eighth goal of the season.
Goole continued to dominate with Rose squirming his way through three defenders, before shooting inches wide across Jeffrey's goal, but on 71 minutes, they were ahead when good work by
Ashley Longstaff then allowed Chris Jenkinson to hammer home from an acute angle, perhaps the final touch was the keeper's off the inside of the right hand post.
Had Steve Rollinson then headed home instead of wide of goal ten minutes later, the points may have been secired, but instead Stocksbridge broke and won a corner from where Adam Oldham
eventually headed home to share the spoils.

Goole AFC 2, Brigg Town 3

An eleven game unbeaten run - a defence looking water-tight, hopes of a promotion push high on the agenda!
Suddenly, one win in six games, goals leaking all over and crowned by a Boxing Day defeat to near neighbours Brigg, who registered only their second league win of the campaign.
It hardly made for festive fun at the VPG on Tuesday afternoon, instead it added to the indigestion that most supporters were trying to get rid of following the excess of the holiday period.
There were no excuses, and none made by the management team afterwards, even squandering a lead which they had twelve minutes from time when Andrew Jackson scored, only to throw it all away with two Richard Day goals in the final seven minutes.
Heart wrenching, gut wrenching stuff, and any hopes of promotion really do depend on the Vikings addressing this defeat with two sterling performances in their remaining holiday programme.
Liam Chapman was missing from the Goole line-up, a culmination of work and a neck injury seeing Nigel Danby partner Chris Jenkinson in central defence, and with Ian McLean on holiday, Chris Fawcus moved to left back and James O'Neill reverted to right back. Duncan Bray, who misses a couple of games, was named one of the substitutes allowing Ashley Longstaff to make a home debut alongside the returning Karl Rose for a match that everyone thought was a home banker.
And in the first twenty minutes, that looked to be the only possible result. Goole moving forward well, finding their men and causing the visiting defence anxious moments and Steve Rollinson, in particular looked sharp.
Longstaff went close with a low shot and Karl Rose missed out on a heading opportunity as Goole called the tune, with the visitors' only threat from Jason Maxwell, who should have done better.
Brigg were rocked twice on the half hour mark, firstly midfielder Karl Slack was carried off with a leg injury, likely ligament damage, and on 31 minutes Longstaff celebrated his home debut by forcing home from a right wing cross.
It was the break Goole needed after they had lost most of that early fluency, but the could not capitalise further before the break, and lost Danny Buttle to injury as well.
And the second half turned into a nightmare for the home side, and Brigg, growing in confidence after equalising on 50 minutes through a soft goal from Paul Grimes, eventually went on to win the game, albeit having to come from behind a second time.
They also overcome the loss of Tommy Spall with a suspected broken jaw, and without having to play well themselves were given the game on a plate.
Goole may have thought they had earned the points though when Jackson sprung the offside trap on to a free kick to beat Damien Steer, but earlier warnings went unheeded and it was Richard Day, recruited from local Sunday League football in Grimsby, who firstly equalised on 83 minutes unmarked, and then ran on to a through ball after the Vikings had wasted a free kick in the visiting half, and beat Craig Parry, probably as bemused as anyone, with a shot that nestled low in the corner.
Stunned, it was near silence at the VPG and on the final whistle, one was almost pleased to return home to cold turkey, after all the Vikings had just been well and truly stuffed.

Christmas comes early


Warrington Town 3, Goole AFC 3

For the neutral observers at Cantilever Park on Saturday, this was as good an advert for non-league football that you could get, however for
the Vikings supporters who made the 180 mile round trip, they will be bemused as to how they threw two points away against an almost new look Warrington Town.
The home side have been in turmoil recently, poor results, change of manager, all the usual things, but with none new faces in the team, it was always going to be a dangerous mix of the unexpected.
For the first twenty minutes, Warrington didn't know where to turn and Goole's prolifigacy in front of goal was going to haunt them later in the game.
An amazing goal line clearance by Everett denied Brad Hill in the second minute, this before he did put the Vikings ahead on 15 minutes with a header after Joe Brown and Steve Rollinson had gone close.
Goole continued to waste opportunities, although Hill was unlucky with another header which shaved the post, and slowly the home side, who had been all over the place, started to show some life.
In striker Carl Rendall they had a potent force, and his pace caused trouble all afternoon, and in the 43rd minute one of the many debutants Anthony Daniels scored from a rebound with Craig Parry slightly unlucky.
However within a minute Hill scored a superb second for Goole running onto to James O'Neill's pass and shooting home in superb fashion past McWeeney.
After the break, Warrington were certainly better and Goole's defence looked as uncertain as it had done for some time, but after two goal line clearances by McWeeney and Flynn to deny Rollinson and Bray, Warrington equalised a second time when Francis Smith levelled after the Vikings backed off too long.
Danny Buttle shot straight at the keeper immediately afterwards, and then after Rollinson had seen a goal mysteriously chalked off for offside after debut man Ashley Longstaff's header on at a throw, the local boy drilled home a low shot to restore Goole's lead a third time.
However, despite looking the more accomplished side in the last quarter they gave away a third equaliser five minutes from time when Robinson netted to send the home fams wild, and leave Goole followers pondering their journey home probably wishing they had gone Christmas shopping instead and buying presents instead of seeing them delivered on a plate to the hosts.

Goole AFC 3, Quorn 0

After two successive defeats, one in the County Cup and a league defeat at Stocksbridge, which was a first in ten league games, Goole bounced back with a 3-0 win against in-form Quorn at the VPG on Saturday.
The scoreline may be harsh on the Leicestershire side, but full credit to Nigel Danby's outfit, who not only showed character in bouncing back after a couple of recent setbacks, but also did it in the worst of the gales and driving rain, elements which certainly favoured the visitors in the first half.
And if the UniBond goalkeeper of the month for the Division One South, namely Craig Parry had not made three crucial one on one saves in the opening 45 minutes, it may have been a different outcome. As it was he saved splendidly from Clarke and Turner, before and after Brad Hill had put the Vikings in front after 13 minutes.
Not that it was one-sided in the conditions, for Hill did well to head home from Danny Buttle's cross, and had Dincan Bray been more unselfish, it may have looked even better at the interval. home debutant Joe Brown unmarked if the leading scorer had found him.
After the break, Goole eventually showed why they are third in the table and looking good beats for a play-off place at the least.
Defensively they looked more solid, Chris Jenkinson and Liam Chapman superb before the former limped off, however it mattered little, player/manager Nigel Danby heading home a glorious second goal within 30 seconds of his introduction in the 63rd minute and when Duncan Bray made it three seven minutes later after Brown's shot was partially saved by former Scarborough keeper Daniel Haystead, there was no wayback for the visitors.
Goole's second win over Quorn in the league in this season of strange fixtures at the FA's behest, however for Goole it is working out well and with a good second half to the season, play-offs at the very least and automatic promotion can not be rule dout.

Stocksbridge Park Steels 3, Goole AFC 1

Photo Ian Revitt

The Vikings' ten match unbeaten league record disappeared on the eastern slopes of the Pennines on Saturday with a 3-1 defeat against improving Stocksbridge, and overall they can have no complaints.
The warning signs of the defeat at Guiseley remain though, for whilst Liam Chapman and Duncan Bray both passed fitness tests to return to the side, neither looked anywhere near 100 per cent fit, and Steve Rollinson's return, although heralding a goal and a usual hard working display, it saw him running on empty as the challenge fizzled out towards the end.
Whether the home side deserved that final scoreline is debatable, two of the goals came from the penalty spot, the first after what appeared a handling offence by Vardy before Chris Fawcus' challenge was deemed illegal, and the second in the final minute was on the intervention of the assistant when Ian McLean brought down Brown.
And quite how the referee saw a challenge on Duncan Bray towards the end of the first half as a bounce up in the Stocksbridge area was surprising at best.
The first half was good fare all round, if only that Goole totally dominated but for a ten minute spell where the home side took a two goal lead.
Adam Brown's first spot kick beat Craig Parry, and then Vardy reached quicker than the Vikings defence to slot home inside the keeper's near post.
Bray should have pulled one back for Goole, but after turning his marker superbly, fired wide with only the keeper to beat, and new signing Joe Brown and Liam Chapman had earlier gone close with shots that lacked power if anything.
Goole did get back in the game on 35 minutes when a deep cross to the far post caught out the defence and keeper for Steve Rollinson to volley home at the far post from four yards out.

Guiseley 3, Goole AFC 0

The holders are out of the West Riding Cup! Ok, nothing dramatic about that, after all they were playing a side one league higher and on their own ground at Nethermoor.
However, a warning, just a warning maybe, but the Vikings, struggling to find players due to injury surrendered meekly and without much of a fight for their loyal following who travelled to North Leeds, and although the reasons were plain to see they must address them.
There was never going to be a repeat of the final at Woodlesford last April, and this second round tie was as good as over at half time with the Premier Division team two goals to the good, and the Vikings further hampered by the loss of Brad Hill with a tweaked hamstring which makes him doubtful for more important matters at Stocksbridge on Saturday.
Guiseley had already hit the crossbar through Rob Pell before Mark Bett gave them a 12th minute lead with a potent finish, albeit the ball fortuitously rebounded to him.
And when Dominic Krief netted from the penalty spot after 28 minutes, there was no way back for Goole, who lacked bite up front without Duncan Bray, although Ammy Ninje did have an opportunity to pull one back right on the break, but pulled his shot hurriedly after being fed by Andy Jackson.
If one or two players had had Jackson's strength through the game, Goole may have got closer to their more senior opponents, but Karl Rose was isolated and the second half introduction of Dean Sidebottom for Ninje hardly helped.
The game meandered for long periods after the break, and one could see Goole's problems with Mike Norbury and Nigel Danby ending the game as the central defensive pairing. No respect intended against either player, but the game was over long before a cracking third goal left Craig Parry grasping at thin air from James Hanson.
Had it not been for several good saves from Parry, one or two bad misses from the home forwards, the scoreline would have been worse, and when the Vikings did see a sight of Steve Dickinson's goal at the other end, the shooting was poor, even Jackson could not find his range on a night to forget.

Goole AFC 4, Grantham Town 0

This game never scaled the heights of three weeks ago when the two teams locked horns, but Goole took the spoils quite comfortably after another
dominant performance in front of their own supporters at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds.
Their amazing run since the middle of September continued in UniBond League One South and eight wins and two draws in their last ten league games
has propelled them, not only into the play-off equation, but they are aiming far higher and automatic promotion.
A quiet start was lightened by Brad Hill, once more giving his side the early advantage, this time 11 minutes on the clock when his low shot from just outside the penalty
area took a deflection off a Grantham defender and totally deceived Mario Ziccardi in the visitors' goal.
And actually that was cruel on Grantham, who through their skilful striker Sam Wilkinson aided by decent approach work in the midfield, enabled them to look the better of the two
sides, that despite Goole going close through Duncan Bray and Danny Buttle.
The Vikings lost striker Karl Rose through injury before the break, but the second half belonged to Goole and the capitalised in no uncertain fashion.
On 57 minutes Ian McLean strode onto a` loose ball by Grantham's Tom Byrne and eventually was on hand to slot home after firstly Bray, followed by Ammy Ninje failed to find the target.
Bray curled in a delightful free kick for a third on 69 minutes as the visitors were totally frustrated at their inability to break down the home cover, and had it not been for desperate defence and good keeping, Goole could have run riot before Andrew Jackson capped another encouraging midfield performance by ghosting in to head home Bray's cross in the last minute.
The Vikings are now well cemented in the playoff positions, and on their form at present will go higher and they have another break from the league Tuesday night travelling to Guiseley, kick off 7.45pm in the County Cup as they defend their trophy won last April against the same opposition - only this time the former Tigers manager Terry Dolan will not be in charge having been sacked last week.

Carlton Town 1, Goole AFC 2

" That is one slice of luck back for Sheffield and Retford." said coach Mickey Adams immediately after the Vikings' 2-1 win at Carlton Town on Tuesday night and he echoed the sentiments of most of the supporters who made the trip down to Nottinghamshire on a damp and dismal evening.
However whether Goole were lucky or not to come away with the three points - and actually they were mighty fortunate - that ingredient of luck is always said to even itself out.
Carlton, who maintained their record of scoring in every league match this season courtesy of a 38th minute first half equaliser by Fabian Smith, could have had half a dozen more had it not been for an outstanding Man of the Match performance from Craig Parry between the sticks. He made four marvellous saves, two others not far behind, and it has to be said the home side's finishing didn't match their attractive approach work.
Whether it was the absence of Liam Chapman at the heart of the defence, and late confusion caused by the late arrival of Chris Fawcus which meant am 11th hour change on the team sheet, who knows, but Goole weren't at their best.
But it makes the three points even more welcome and the winner came six minutes from time through Duncan Bray, just at a time when they were beginning to ask one or two questions of a home defence, who themselves looked shaky especially when Danny Buttle was given the opportunity to run at his full back.
Buttle was behind the winner as his low cross was deflected into Bray's path eventually and he shot home low past Brearley into the far corner and it was relief amongst the Goole faithful more than anything else,
There was still time for substitute Phil Bignall to miss another gilt-edged opportunity of a share of the spoils. but he shot wide as he had done with his first touch of the ball before Bray's winner.
Chapman's absence meant Nigel Danby recalled himself to partner Chris Jenkinson, James O'Neill was drafted in at full back to cover Fawcus' late arrival who relegated to substitute, and although Goole made a nervy start, they gradually got on top midway through the first half and took the lead when Karl Rose and Buttle combined on the edge of the area and the latter's cross was volleyed home by the unmarked Rose.
And had Bray not had a goal disallowed for offside three minutes later, it may have been a different story, but the Vikings lost their way dramatically prior to half time, and having gone close through Steve Chaplin and Danny Gent, with Parry making two superb saves from the former, an equaliser had to come and Smith showed his strikers the way by netting unmarked seven minutes before the interval.
And Goole were under the cosh for most of the second half, Parry once more saving from Chaplin and Smith, and the finishing got more and more desperate before the revival started for the Vikings and after Buttle and Bray had half chances to score, it was Bray who did the trick and they always say the signs of a good side are when you can play below par and win, perhaps, just perhaps, as the Vikings climb back third, this season could have a marvellous end too.

Ten man goole earn point
Sheffield F.C. 0, Goole AFC 0

A season's best UniBond League One South crowd of 647 saw a goalless draw between Sheffield and the Vikings at the Bright Finance Stadium on Saturday, but it was anything but dull.
And Goole will be more than satisfied with a share of the spoils after playing 75 minutes with 10 men after striker Karl Rose received a red card for an elbow on home captain Tom Jones, who remarkably only saw the yellow card despite leaving Rose with several facial cuts.
However instead of inhibiting Nigel Danby's side, the 10 men went on to largely dominate the first half and before his dismissal Rose could have put his side in front but former Vikings keeper Martin Kearney did well to save low to his right.
Sheffield found the Goole back four hard to penetrate with Liam Chapman and Chris Jenkinson outstanding once more, although Rob Ward had the best chance for the hosts but shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
Chapman;s one moment of aberration came 45 seconds into the second half when for no reason he felled former Ferriby striker Vill Powell on the dead ball line and the referee pointed to the spot, but having scored all their penalties in a League Cup shoot out win at Goole recently, Rob Ward could not beat Craig Parry, who turned the kick away and then did even better to save the follow up.
Having weathered the early second half storm, Goole prospered once more and led by Andy Jackson in the middle of the park, they pushed forward and Dean Sidebottom struck the bar twice with 30 yard shots, the first viciously swerving from out on the right, and Chapman headed wide from a free kick on the right.
Signs of tiredness crept in to the Vikings in the last ten minutes and Parry did well to deny Wainman and Ward, but no one could deny that they deserved a point, and on another day may have had all three.
Despite his dismissal, Karl Rose is available for tomorrow night's trip to Carlton Town, kick off 7.45pm in the league, but Liam Chapman could miss through work.

10 Nov 2007
Goole's Run Continues

Goole AFC 2 Cammell Laird 0

Goole's unbeaten league run dating back to September 22, and their home league run back to August 25 remained intact after a marvellous performance to overcome second placed
Cammell Laird at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
Two second half goals from Dean Sidebottom and Duncan Bray did the trick against a team who looked strong but had little impact up front until the last ten minutes.
Goole, criticised for their defensive record in recent seasons have conceded only five in their last nine games, and it is that which sees Nigel Danby's side into third place
in UniBond League One South, ironically behind two teams, Retford and Saturday's victims who have been beaten comprehensively.
A goalless first half had its moments, Craig Parry denying Nezyanha for the visitors, but in turn Karl Rose and Duncan Bray forced Whitfield in the Laird's goal to make good saves.
Sidebottom broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half, a long ball catchingthree Goole players offisde, but crucially Sidebottom was on and he went on to beat Whitfield
with a low drive.
Cammell Laird, strong looking throughout, could not break down a resolute home defence, five goals conceded in nine games now, and although they had plenty of the play it was Cahpan and Jenkinson at the heart of the back four that remained solid.
And twelve minutes from time, Sidebottom fed Duncan Bray, and he finished in delightful fashion to make the game safe, and although the visitors went close with a shot from Brookes and a a marvellous save by Parry from Hat, the game went Goole's way, and deservedly so.
The results going Goole's way puts them third in the UniBond South table, deservedly so and November's month of pain looks to be gain at the moment

 Tues Nov 6 2007

Gresley Rovers 0, Goole AFC 1

The Vikings' latest win came amidst controversy at the end of an increasingly bad-tempered affair which spread off the field at Gresley Rovers' Moat Ground on Tuesday night.
Goole keeper Craig Parry was at the centre after an incident behind the goal in the last quarter which led to stewards intervening (far too late it has to be said) and threats of police action to come, although that did appear a trifle far fetched.
What will have to be awaited is the referee's report, and yes he hardly covered himself in glory on a night of one dismissal and at least seven cautions.
However it was a marvellous three points for Nigel Danby's side, who took full advantage of the sending off of Rovers midfielder Jamie Hood, and the hosts could count themselves fortunate not to finish with nine men after a horrible challenge by Shaun Ridgway on Goole's match-winner Dean Sidebottom in the closing minutes.
Further evidence though, if any was needed, that Goole's challenge for promotion this season is now in full swing with a terrific work ethic, a marvellous spirit and a determination not to let anything get in their way, even the loss of Brad Hill with a suspected broken nose right on half time, although he had been off the field before then after an accidental kick in the face.
And it was his replacement, Dean Sidebottom who struck for the Vikings with a well-timed header beyond Gresley keeper Dave Clarke on 53 minutes from Danny Buttle's cross to eventually earn the three points.
They deserved it as well, for despite strong starts to both halves by the Derbyshire side, unbeaten at home in the UniBond League prior to Tuesday, and a hairy six minutes of injury time, the Vikings dominated long spells and could have won more comfortably.
Sidebottom headed over from another Buttle cross on the hour, that chance looked easier than the one he took, and Liam Chapman, immense once more in the back four, saw a header cleared off the line by Groves.
Chapman was at the heart of the sending off on 58 minutes of Gresley's Hood, an elbow catching the Goole defender, and at first it appeared the referee hadm't seen it, but this decision he did get right and it started the ill-temper which exacerbated as Gresley's frustrations grew. In fact Chapman's night was a painful one too, as he was down twice with an ankle injury and the treatment table at the VPG is resembling accident and emergency at the moment.
Although Craig Parry's night was to end in this controversy, he did make two marvellous saves of his own, and the one right at the end to twist and turn in mid air showed his mind was still on the job in hand with Marshall the unlucky Rovers forward.
However, anything less than a Goole win would have taken away how well they were organised and it is no coincidence that the improvement in defence since the Alsager league defeat in September has played its part in lifting them into the play-offs, and there is no reason why they can't maintain, even look higher to automatic promotion, providing the manager can address a possible player shortage.
AWAIT DEVELOPMENTS.

Spoils shared in great fare


 November 3, 2007

Goole AFC 1, Grantham Town 1

A thrilling game, two committed teams both with their fair share of chances and at the end of the day, the right result between the Vikings and the Gingerbreads
at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
No doubt the best opportunities went the way of Goole, who controlled the best part of the first half and certainly the first fifteen minutes of the second, but their finishing let them down at
the vital moment, and had it not been for the woodwork, Grantham would have gone back down the A1 with the three points as Jon Hawley's 25 yard shot cannoned back off the post
eight minutes from time, and thankfully to safety.
Goole made the best start possible with a goal inside 75 seconds as a corner on the right hand side was only partially cleared and James O'Neill's excellent cross back was headed home Brad Hill on his return from a rib injury.
And had Karl Rose and Hill once more, together with Danny Buttle converted chances,m the Vikings could have been four goals to the good in the first twenty minutes.
However it was the visitors who conjured and equaliser in spectacular fashion on the half hour, Sam Wilkinson with a brilliant solo effort controlling well on the right hand side, cutting inside two defenders and delivering a 25 yard shot which curled past Craig Parry into the right hand corner.
The second half started in similar vein, Goole with the better openings with Buttle, Bray and a Jackson shot close, buty as the half wore on the Lincolnshire side, one league defeat since the opening day came on strong and they took control in the last twenty minutes, and Hawley's drive looked to have won it for Grantham but the post intervened.
Goole were well served overall by Andy Jackson and James O'Neill in the middle of the park, and Buttle 's pace on the flank was a constant concern for Grantham, however the Vikings' revival of late has stemmed from defence, and goals conceded which have drooped dramatically, and much of that imporvement can be pointed at Liam Chapman, who once more was outstanding.
Goole head for Gresley on Tuesday, another test of the improvement in Goole in the last month.

Oct 30 2007
Presidents Cup 2nd round
Goole AFC 3, Spalding United 1

The fear of extra time was spreading for the second Tuesday in three at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Tuesday night, before hail the mighty substitute.
Tanzanian born Anni Ninje, signed from North Ferriby United before kick off, had just entered the field as an 76th minute replacement for Karl Rose, and firstly he saw Ben Garrick equalise Dean Sidebottom's 80th minute opener for the Vikings, before with his first touch, Ninje restored the lead and eventually Duncan Bray sealed this Presidents Cup tie once and for all in injury time.
Such was Goole's injury and unavailability crisis, manager Nigel Danby had to take a punt on Ninje, having not seen him in competitive action, and he didn't disappoint with his close range finish.
It was an interesting, if not spectacular second round tie with both teams having received a first round bye in the all Division one competition, and Goole progress to the last sixteen and there is no reason why they can't go a lot further.
They may have to be more careful in front of goal, as they had so many chances on Tuesday and better teams than the bottom club Spalding would have made them suffer, indeed the Lincolnshire side did have their own opportunities, but were denied by the Vikings' No. 1 keeper, and fully deserving that title - Craig Parry.
He made one stupendous penalty save in the 23rd minute to deny Danny Hargreaves' well struck spot kick, and was also at his best to save from Garrick and Garry Nimmo.
It was a night of top class keeping as the Tulips' shot stopper, James Doughty was also to the fore with excellent stops from Duncan Bray, Karl Kose and Andy Jackson to name but three, and he was also mighty relieved to see efforts by Danny Buttle and James O'Neill flash wide.
For all the chances it appeared extra time loomed, until Jackson, who was busy if not quite as outstanding as at Retford provided the opening for Dean Sidebottom, with a suspicion of offside to beat Doughty at last with ten minutes to go.
All over everyone thought, but the substitution of Rose of Ninje for Rose at a set piece appeared to upset the concentration, and that 30 minutes, indeed penalty torture looked realistic when Garrick forced home from close range.
However cometh the hour, cometh that substitute and Ninje from Tanzania via Solihull and six years in the UK, took one minute and one touch to restore that lead for the Vikings and Bray's cool finish in injury time as he bore down on the Spalding goal was enough to put Goole through.
More injury misery for the Vikings though, Craig Robinson limped off after 10 minutes and looks doubtful for Saturday, but it did give young Matthew Bainbridge a run out after his father's health scraes and he didn't disappoint with some nice touches in a match surprisingly good for the competition's status.

Third time lucky

Retford United 1 Goole AFC

The Vikings made it four successive league wins with their most impressive performance of the season in overcoming league leaders Retford United at Cannon Park on Saturday.
It was third time lucky for Goole, who had lost 2-1 in their previous two meetings this season, but this was a no nonsense show from Nigel Danby's side, who frankly made the early pacemakers on merit, it has to be said, very ordinary indeed.
Without captain Brad Hill, Goole made light of his absence dominating all areas of the field with stand-in skipper Liam Chapman solid in defence, and Andrew Jackson inspirational in the midfield, where the first half dominance in particular was so evident.
They took the lead after 15 minutes with a superbly taken goal by Duncan Bray, running onto a through ball by Jackson to shoot low across keeper Neil Murray.
James O'Neill and Steve Rollinson almost added to that lead, before they did double it on 36 minutes, Jackson bursting onto a square ball by Rose, and brought down by a defender for Danny Buttle to strike home from the spot.
Retford offered little in way of a reply, although one isolated raid almost saw Neil Harvey get in a shot, but Chris Jenkinson made a solid tackle, well timed too in the penalty area.
Any second half recovery from the home side was expected to come from a strong start, but instead Goole should have increased the lead when keeper Murray, nervous with his kincking all afternoon, handled a back pass and Bray's free kick from eight yards was blocked on the line by a defender and gratefully snapped up by the keeper.
On 64 minutes a lifeline for Retford fron a free kick, which appeared to be taken while moving, but Mick Godber was alert to run on and beat Craig Parry.
However the home side's hopes of picking up anything from this game went four minutes later when Matt Fisher was sent off for hitting Chapman, this after committing a foul on the Vikings defender, and just for a short while it looked as if the match may get out of control as Ian McLean was also cautioned and two other Retford players went in the book as well as Chapman.
In six minutes of added on time there was more incident with Retford going close through Godber, but as Goole broke, Murray's day was completed when he completely mis-kicked 50 yards out of goal and Buttle sped away to tap into an empty goal - victory at the third time of asking against the UniBond newcomers and Goole well placed now just outside the play-off places, albeit with several testing games to come next month.
Goole are on Presidents Cup duty tuesday evening, in the second round at home to Spalding United, kick off 7.45pm

Vikings bloom as Rose strikes

Goole AFC 1 Quorn 0

The Leicestershire side will not forget their first visit to the VPG in a hurry - firstly they only arrived three minutes before the scheduled kick off time and secondly they were then beaten in
A match where their finishing left a lot to be desired.
From the Vikings perspective, Karl Rose's 25th minute header from a superb Danny Buttle cross lifts them just outside the play-off places and their fourth successive home league
Win suddenly sees them preparing to launch a real challenge on the leading places.
True, Goole were a shadow of the team that lost on a penalty shoot out in the League Cup during the week, but considering they lost Brad Hill to a suspected broken rib in the first half and then Steve Rollinson to a facial injury in the second, there were mitigating circumstances.
Despite a late kick off caused by the Quorn coach breaking down on the M1, the visitors started well and Craig Parry made fine saves to deny Francino Francis and Paul White in the first quarter of an hour.
The speed of the Quorn front two was a menace all afternoon, although late in the game tiredness negated the threat, and even in the first half towards its end, Goole looked strong especially after Rose's fine header past Haystead, and he almost had another from a Buttle cross before half time, however Haystead was well positioned, as he was to deny Hill before he was helped off after a mid air challenge where he appeared to take a knee in the back.
The second half saw Quorn push forward initially and Goole looked careless at best, and down right awful at its worst point, but once more the finishing for the visitors was poor, and they wasted a lot of ball which frustrated their management team on the bench.
Nigel Danby introduced himself to the fray, and his input certainly helped the cause, as Goole, still without playing like they can, assumed more control and they could have sealed the game on 83 minutes when Duncan Bray, largely quiet, showed great skill and control on the right to cut in and fire inches over Haystead's crossbar with the keeper struggling.

Beaten by last minute penalty

Skelmersdale United 1, Goole AFC 0

Drama in the final minute and injury time of Saturday's FA Challenge Trophy preliminary round toe at Skelmersdale on Saturday, and it went against the Vikings as they crashed out of the competition.
After having had the better of a cuptie that looked set for a replay tomorrow evening at the VPG, a challenge by Ian McLean on substitute Sean McConville saw referee Oldham point to the penalty spot and Steve Akrigg blasted home what turned out to be the winner, although Goole felt even more aggrieved when in the third minute of added on time, Duncan Bray was tripped by Hardwick in the other penalty area, and although the assistant referee appeared to signal a penalty, the referee this time felt it wasn't.
It summed up Goole's aftemoon, and for all they will feel that they did enough to gain some reward from the tie, the fault lay in not taking their own chances, none more so than Steve Rollinson either side of half time where he blazed over from a ball by Jason Blunt from six yards out, and then after the interval his feet tangled up at the far post from a cross by Dean Sidebottom and the ball went dead.
Add to that a brilliant save at full stretch by McMahon from a Sidebottom cross shot, and the home side were relieved to be still in the tie before they got lucky in the closing stages.
In fairness, Skem 's use of substitutions had a bearing, and although Goole's defence led by player/manager Nigel Danby looked solid for the most part, they tired in the warm autumn sunshine and the more direct running of the replacements did caise one or two nerby moments before the dramatic end.
In the first half Goole played some delightful football, and there was even claims for a penalty there when Duncan Bray appeared to be held back as he turned his marker, but he tried to stay on his feet, shot wide and the referee gave a goal kick.
Two exits at the first stage of the national cup competitions has been a disappointment, and for all their performance on Merseyside was far better than the FA Cup debacle ay Shildon five weeks ago, the feeling is still the same, and the outcome was.

Goole AFC 4, Spalding United 3

The Vikings players had their supporters on tenterhooks once more before prevailing in a seven-goal thriller against Spalding United at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
To the neutral the second half was excellent fare, but to those with more selfish thoughts it was a nightmare at times, and simply joy at others.
Goole secured their first 'double' of the season but it needed three half time substitutions before they clicked into anything like gear after a calamitous start where they conceded a penalty and were reduced to 10 men at the same time.
It was mighty harsh, but the referee deemed that Dean Sidebottom deliberately handled Banger's goal bound shot, and was shown the red card, Ian Cooper made it 1-0 from the spot, and the Tulips could have been further in front had Hargreaves' shot not deflected off Liam Chapman and on to the underside of the bar and out.
Goole were all over the place, although Duncan Bray missed a golden chance and Jason Blunt whistled a drive inches past the post.
Karl Rose, Ian McLean and Craig Robinson all felt the manager's wrath at the break and were substituted, although in fairness it could have been any, but the turnaround was spectacular.
Suddenly the Vikings were flowing with Steve Rollinson and Danny Buttle carving open the Spalding defence, and within two minutes Bray latched onto a through ball and beat keeper Doughty for the equaliser. Eleven minutes later, and Goole were ahead, this time Blunt's free kick was never cleared, Rollinson refused to give the ball up and the ball broke for Brad Hill to score from close range.
However, nothing is easy in the Goole way of winning games, and on 61 minutes, another penalty for the visitors, this time Nigel Danby adjudged to have impeded Holyoake, and although Cooper's spot kick was saved by Craig Parry, the referee ordered the kick to be retaken for encroaching and this time Adam Buckley scored to even things up.
Not for long though, Spalding, whose bottom of the table position, and manager less, also sees a leaky defence was opened up by Rollinson once more and Bray was all alone in the area to
Take a touch and calmly beat the keeper.
The see-saw second half continued and the Tulips, wilting one minute were blooming another as Hargreaves burst through the Goole cover to beat Parry for the equaliser once more.
And yet it wasn't finished there, as the goal of the match was to eventually earn Goole the three points with Blunt finding Danny Buttle on the left, and his cross was brilliantly met by Rollinson for a goal his second half introduction deserved.
There was till time for Bray to miss an absolute sitter which would have brought him his first hat-trick for the club, and five minutes of injury time endured some frayed nerves before their third league win of the season was secured.
Can Goole build on this; they have a great chance on Tuesday evening when lowly Shepshed are the visitors in the Unibond League One South, kick-off 7.45pm

22/09/07

Goole disappoint

Alsager Town 2 Goole AFC 0

Another disappointing defeat for Goole AFC on Saturday as they went down to two second half goals at Alsager Town in a lack-lustre Unibond League One South clash in North Staffordshire.
In a game that they started so well, they totally lost their way in all facets of the game, and their indiscipline led to a hatful of cautions as their frustrations boiled over with the match officials.
Not that referee Bristow was totally free of blame, for his decision making was at best confusing, and at worst totally inept.
The Vikings started strongly and could have been two goals up in the opening minute with Dean Sidebottom and Steve Rollinson seeing goal bound efforts saved by the keeper Matt Conkie and blocked by a defender, and then Jason Bunt’s long rage shot was turned round the post at full stretch by the keeper,
However Goole's mood changed with the weather, a sunny start and then the rain came, and with it all the good work of the opening quarter vanished.
Alsager responded well and they went close through Chris Budrys at the far post, although in general Goole's defence coped well enough, if a little painfully as Liam Chapman took a painful blow to the head on the half time whistle.
However the second half was to prove frustrating for the visitors. Alsager, without having to be at their best, took control of the game and opened the scoring in the 54th minute as Eldershaw ran on to a through ball behind the Vikings back four and beat the advancing Craig Parry.
Try as they could Goole could find no answers as they strove for a way back, but the turning point came when Danny Buttle's cross was met with Sidebottom's header, brilliantly saved by Conkie and less than a minute later, Alsager were two up as Chris Jenkinson's clearance fell to Mitchell, who turned and shot home past the keeper.

15/09/07

Vikings' Comfortable Progress

Goole AFC 2 Wakefield F.C. 0

It was perhaps not the cup they wanted to progress in on a day when the FA Cup took major precedence, but the Vikings' exit at Shildon in the preliminary round
Meant a Unibond League Challenge Cup first round tie instead at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
And it has to be said that they made rather light work of a poor Wakefield side from Unibond One North in a low key game that, at best, was moderate and at other times poor.
Two first half goals from Kevin Ryan saw the Vikings through, his first after 25 minutes when a downward header by Liam Chapman was only parried in the air by Lee Wilson in the visitors goal, and Ryan rose to knock home the rebound.
His second six minutes later was taken in fine style as he ran on to a through ball to out strip the cover and as Wilson committed rather early, drilled a low shot into the bottom right hand corner.
And the Vikings striker ought to have made it three just before the break as he ran on to another defence splitting pass, but this time Wilson did better and saved low to his left,]
Wakefield did see plenty of the ball, but their strikers, all of whom had prospered in their excellent league win over Bradford Park Avenue in the week, were way off target on so many occasions that Craig Parry was a virtual spectator.
In addition, Liam Chapman had a storming game in defence, and if only he had been available for the Shildon FA Cup tie, the Vikings may have been contemplating life by the seaside at Whitby
Instead.
The second half was poor fare, and although the visitors continued to see the possession, there was never a suggestion of a comeback, and indeed had it not been for Wilson's brave keeping late on to deny Dean Sidebottom, the scoreline would have been even more convincing.

11/09/07

Retford United 2 Goole AFC 1

A goal three minutes into injury time sent the Vikings crashing to defeat at Cannon Park Retford last night as the Nottinghamshire side continue to head Unibond League One South.
Whether they deserved it or not is a moot point as Goole finished the game the stronger after equalising an earlier goal from Neil Harvey with a header by Brad Hill from a Dean Sidebottom cross on the hour.
It was a cracking game where Retford started like a house on fire and took that lead as early as five minutes, but once the Vikings settled they dominated for long periods and after the equaliser
went so close themselves through substitute Duncan Bray with his first tough which hit keeper Kingston on the line, a header by Liam Chapman which shaved the post and a Sidebottom free kick which Kingston turned aside.
A point looked on the cards until Brad Hill's uncharacteristic error allowed Retford substitute and scourge of the Vikings in the past, Mick Goddard to fire past Craig Parry to clinch the points.

08/09/07

First home win for vikings

Goole AFC 3  Brigg Town 2

Photo courtesey Brigg Town

The Vikings collected their first home win of the season, but left it late against near neighbours Brigg Town at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
A 35 yard cross-cum-shot by substitute Dean Sidebottom settled the outcome in a second half which was poor in comparison to an exciting first 45 minutes where there were
four goals and plenty of incidents.
Manager Nigel Danby rang the changes after their FA Cup exit at Shildon, and handed debuts to the former Scarborough duo of Matt Redmile and Jason Blunt, and both were to impress
for the most part, although Blunt did clearly tire in the second half.
After a cautious opening where both sides went close with dangerous crosses deserving better reward, Brigg took the lead on 19 minutes when Dan Hope powered home a header from an inviting corner by Mitchell.
The lead didn't last long though, Danny Buttle's dangerous forays down the flank always likely to cause problems and Steve Rollinson, on his recall to the side, headed home at the far post
from one such cross, although keeper Damien Steer will believe he should have done better.
And it got better for the Vikings on 30 minutes, as Brad Hill's looping header from a James O'Neill free kick found the bottom right hand corner, and again question marks over the keeper's positioning
That should have been 3-1 as seconds before Rollinson had missed a gilt-edged opportunity, and Brigg were to bounce back quickly from going behind as Paul Grimes beat Rob Constable, and as the Vikings full back tried to recover he brought him down for a spot kick, and Mitchell coolly slotted home.
Four minutes later and Goole should have had a penalty themselves with Kevin Ryan clearly baulked inside the area, but referee Smith chose to ignore the appeals.
After the excitement of the first 45 minutes, where there was plenty of little niggles, the second half was disappointing, and only in the final twenty minutes did Goole raise their game
once more, and that is why Sidebottom's winner was probably deserved for the Vikings, his cross shot through a forest of legs clearly unsighting the keeper, and although there was an inquest in the Zebras defence, it mattered little to a relieved Goole side who hung on comfortably in the remaining time.
Injuries to Constable and McDaid make them doubtful for Tuesday night's trip to leaders Retford in the Unibond League, kick off 7.45pm

01/09/07
GOOLE DUMPED OUT OF FA CUP

Shildon 5 Goole AFC 4

To the neutral this must have been wonderful entertainment. To the Goole supporters who made the journey to the North East, they must be shaking their heads in disbelief
at one of the more inept performances from their side.
Shildon had not won prior to this game, the Vikings, who had shown signs of form at Spalding in a win on Monday kept faith with that line-up and they were well and truly humbled.
Ok 5-4 sounds close, and it was but for the Vikings to get themselves in that position has to rankle and what is more is disturbing in their prospects for the remainder of the season.
They were outdone by pace, a commodity which is vital at non-league level, and Shildon in Tyson Masters had a player with it in abundance, something the Goole rearguard could not cope with.
They had had warnings, before Goole took the lead when James McDaid's cross was handled by Jury, a first minute replacement for Cliugh and Danny Buttle sent keeper Spence the wrorg
way from the spot.
Four minutes later and Goole's problems really started as Masters broke through on the right, Craig Parry did well to half stop, but Emson was there to stab home the rebound.
There was no complaints with Shildon's second to give them the lead for the first time, Masters with a brilliant strike from 25 yards leaving Parry grasping at thin air.
The Shildon defence was not exactly solid and they had moments of madness that the Vikings could not capitalise on, but early in the second half, the game appeared to swing the Vikings' way.
They equalised with a breathtaking goal of their won as McDaid's raking 50 yard crossfield ball, saw Buttle control with his left, and then volley home superbly with his right fdot for the equaliser.
And five minutes later Karl Rose's powerful header from a McDaid corner put Goole ahead for the second time.
However the topsy-turvy nature of the tie swung once more as Rob Constable was adjudged to have handled Emson's cross and Everitt just beat Parry's outstretched hand from the spot.
However despite Rose hitting the bar with a header, Goole crumbled in the last quarter with Masters scoring his second after Buttle lost the ball in midfield, and then Goole's marking was non-existent at the back post as Emson's cross was turned in by Mason for number five fourteen minutes from time.
An injury time volley from substitute Kevin Ryan made it 5-4, but the truth is Goole deserved, and in the end got absolutely nothing from this cuptie and manager Nigel Danby has a testing week ahead of him before next Saturday's league game with local rivals Brigg Town.

Report From Shildens Website

SATURDAY 1ST SEPTEMBER. F.A CUP, SHILDON 5-4 GOOLE TOWN


Unibond League side Goole town were the visitors to Dean Street for this F.A Cup tie, Shildon included new signing Ross Cowan in the starting line up. The home side got off to a bad start with full back Liam Clough going off injured in the first minute after what seemed like a collision with the linesman. Despite their higher league status in was Shildon who started better, Karl Everitt tried a long range effort in the sixth minute after winning the ball in the midfield. With Emson and Masters playing down the wing the early signs were good as Goole struggled to cope with their pace. The home side did have a scare in the 17th minute when Spence failed to collect a long ball but the Shildon defence managed to scramble the ball to safely. Goole began to press, and with striker Simon Parke’s physical presence up front, did look they could cause Shildon problems. In the 21st minute Goole were awarded a penalty after a handball in the box, Buttle stepped up a slotted the ball home to put Goole one ahead. Being a goal down seemed to rally Shildon even more who had played some good football and didn’t really deserve to be a goal down. Andy Howarth played a great free kick into the box in the 23rd minute which Stuart Niven headed goalward, a great finger tip save by Craig Parry in the Goole goal denied the home side . Shildon didn’t have to wait much longer to get their goal, after fantastic work by Tyson Masters down the right wing, he found Emson in the six yard box for a simple tap in. The home side started to turn the screw, Goole resorted to humping the ball long which Hutton and Mason dealt with ease, and with Raitt and Everitt working tirelessly in midfield the signs were good. A corner kick by Shildon in the 32nd minute was almost headed in by a Goole player and it was only a matter of time before Shildon would score. Stuart Niven’s cross field pass was coolly headed by Ross Cowan into the path of Masters who let fly with an unstoppable shot that sent the home supporters wild and put Shildon in the lead for the first time in the game.

HALF TIME SHILDON 2-1 GOOLE TOWN

It would have been had to imagine that the second half could be any better than the first, but it was. Masters was torturing the Goole full back , Emson`s pace was doing likewise on the other flank and none of the Goole players seemed to know what to do with Niven whose vision was tearing them to bits. Masters squared a ball to Niven in the box early on when he should have had a go himself, Emsons`s cross in the 5oth minute was only inches away from Masters. The next goal in this game was always going to be an important one and sadly it was Goole who got it in the 52nd minute after a long cross field ball caught out the home defence, things got worse in the 59th minute when Goole took the lead, a corner found a Goole Town player totally unmarked at the back post and his header trickled under Spence’s feet in the Shildon goal. Not for the first time in the game Shildon rallied back and just 3 minutes later were awarded a penalty, Emson’s cross was handled in the box and it was Karl Everitt who stepped up and coolly place the ball wide to the keepers right to bring the scores all level. Goole began to tire and Shildon began again to press with Emson going close on 67 minutes, and it was Emson in the thick of the action just five minutes later. He looked odds on to score himself but ran the ball too wide so crossed to Masters who tapped in his second and put Shildon back in the lead. The home side looked much fitter and with Goole running out of ideas had the perfect chance to kill the game off, Chris Mason converted from 8 yards in the 77th minute after Goole failed to clear a corner, and give Shildon a two goal cushion. Tyson Masters almost put the game totally out of reach in the 80th when he pulled the ball back in the box but his pass failed to reach Niven. Goole did give Shildon one last scare in the 92nd minute scoring a wonderful goal from a set piece, but after the restart the Referee blew the final whistle to put Shildon through to the next round were they will travel to Whitby Town. Another Cup win for Shildon who did themselves and the Northern League proud.

27/08/07
Vikings clinch first win

Spalding United 0, Goole AFC 2

A goal in each half from recent signing Simon Parke and captain James McDaid gave Goole their first league win of the season at Spalding United yesterday afternoon, and
the Lincolnshire side prop up the table at this early stage.
To be fair the Vikings had little to beat against a poor looking side, but after a couple of home defeats, and just one point from their opening
three games, it was a relief to get off the mark.
Parke scored his second goal in as many games with a powerful downward header after 33 minutes from Danny Buttle's excellent cross, and that was the avenue where Goole found a lot
of joy, with Brad Hill going close before that from another fine centre.
Spalding had threatened early in the game with Frecklington going close and Craig Parry making a good save from Hargreaves, but in general the Goole defence had a quiet afternoon, and this was especially so after the interval when the Vikings did dominate.
They established a two-goal cushion on 54 minutes when McDaid\s shot took a wicked deflection off a home defender to totally deceive keeper Daniels, but with steadier finishing later in the game they could have won by an even wider margin.
Substitute Dean Sidebottom should have done better with a low shot, and fellow substitute James O'Neill forced Daniels to a low save five minutes from time at the expense of a corner.
Attention now turns to the FA Cup this weekend, and a trip to Shildon in the preliminary round of the E.ON sponsored competition.

Goole Team
1 Craig Parry 2 Rob Constable 3 Neil Grayston 4 Brad Hill
5 Chris Jenkinson 6 Nigel Danby 7 James McDaid 8 Craig Robinson
9 Simon Parke 10 Karl Rose 11 Danny Buttle
Substitutes12 Kev Ryan 13 James O'Neil 14 Dean Sidebottom

League Table Click Here
More Photos  Click Here

25/08/07

Goole AFC 1 Retford Utd 2

For the second time in four days, Goole AFC lost to UniBond League newcomers as they went down 2-1 at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds against Retford United.
And they have only themselves to blame as concentration went lacking, although give the Nottinghamshire side credit; they were the best team that the Vikings have faced so far.
Goole made several changes from the defeat against Sheffield on Tuesday and gave a UniBond full debut to Karl Rose and named recent signing Simon Parke on the bench, and it was only when Parke, who made an entrance from the bench in place of the injured Duncan Bray just before the break, linked with another replacement Dean Sidebottom midway through the second half that the Vikings made headway against an uncompromising Retford outfit.
And by that stage they were two goals down, courtesy of a fortuitous first from Mike Goddard, who netted with his first touch within 45 seconds of replacing fellow striker Mike Godber and then a fine volley by Ryan Hindlry from a cross that travelled a long way from the left hand side.
The goals came either side of the break, and Goole who had their own chances through Bray, before his injury and then James McDaid, looked all over the place for ten minutes or so after the second goal.
However a timely substitution injected life into their play and they pulled a goal back a quarter of an hour from time through Parke, heading home an excellent Sidebottom cross, and it was the turn of Retford to panic, and a good save from Kingston denied Karl Rose an equaliser.
However all in all, another below-par Goole show, adding extra pressure to this Mondays clash at Spalding United, a ground where they did win two years ago, before the restructuring took their mysterious ways, only for the deepest Lincolnshire side to be moved south for a season, and then - you guessed it shifted again in the 'final bout of Step 4 movements!

21/08/07

Goole AFC 1 Sheffield F.C. 2

Sheffield captain Tom Jones scored a minute from the end of normal time to ensure that the Vikings endured a miserable opening to their Unibond League One South campaign in front of their own supporters at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Tuesday night.
Jones made sure that Goole's first home game of the season ended in a defeat, and it is to be hoped that they don't suffer another home malaise like last term, putting even more pressure on their results away from the VPG.
Although the Vikings never scaled the heights, they still dominated territorially and on the balance deserved a share of the spoils, but if there is a habit to break - apart from losing of course - it is to stop conceding late goals and it has lost them points in both games so far.
The only change to the starting line-up from the draw at Shepshed was a straight swap of Neil Grayson for Tom Claisse as manager Nigel Danby was still without his suspended players and injured captain James McDaid.
Goole set off like a house on fire, and Sheffield hardly made the halfway line in the first 20 minutes. Danny Buttle on the left thrived on the service provided and gave Gavin Smith a torrid time, and it was from one such break that they opened the scoring with a superb cross on the run headed home by Kevin Ryan for his first goal of the season.
Steve Rollinson went close, as did Dean Sidebottom as the crowd were treated to a feast of attacks, but all of a sudden the balance changed with one Sheffield break.
It brought a penalty on 21 minutes as Craig Parry upended Peter Davey in the area, received the yellow card, rightly so, but then redeemed himself with a fine save from Rob Ward's spot kick.
The warning wasn't heeded and six minutes later the visitors, who had won their opening league game, were level when Karl Colley scored from close range.
The remainder of the half was certainly more even, although Jamie Holmshaw did make a fine save from Sidebottom.
The pattern after the break resembled the first half, although Goole were not as dominant. The passing became ragged and although the pace of Rollinson was a threat, it was more the touch of his replacement on the hour, Karl Rose, that suggested Goole may snatch a win.
He linked with Ryan intelligently, and Ryan should have restored the lead on 73 minutes but Holmshaw made a routine save, if looking spectacular from a weak header.
And it appeared a draw was the outcome until Jones' late intervention, made even more galling as the Goole players stopped believing the ball had gone out of play in the lead up.
Thankfully resources are at hand with the returns of Messrs. Bray, Robinson and McLean for the Retford and Spalding clashes- a doubt remains on the fitness of James McDaid, but the signing of Simon Parke from Bradford Park Avenue looks exciting.

18/08/07

 Injury time equaliser blow

Shepshed Dynamo 1, Goole AFC 1

The Vikings' hopes of a winning start to their Unibond One League South campaign were scuppered by an equaliser in the third minute of stoppage time
against Shepshed Dynamo at the Dovecote on Saturday.
Substitute Ade Adelukan capitalised on a shot by Banks which deflected off Craig Parry in the visitors goal after Man of the Match Brad Hill's poor pass set up the face saving equaliser.
Credit the home side for maintaining the fight until the end, as for three quarters of the game they were outplayed by an impressive looking Goole outfit, still without
four players through injury and suspension.
After dominating the first half and seeing home keeper Gary Hateley make a couple of fine saves from Dean Sidebottom and Liam Chapman, Steve Rollinson put Goole ahead on 44 minutes as he rounded the keeper from a through ball by Tom Claisse and although Dunn did his best to clear the ball off the line, the assistant referee was in the perfect position
to see the ball well over the line.
The second half saw the trend continue with Goole playing some delightful football, using both flanks to outpace the home defence at times.
Danny Buttle in particular provided one or two telling crosses and he almost made it two with a rising drive which needed the safe hands of Hateley to keep it out.
Only when Goole made their substitutions did Shepshed start to prosper, and with the visitors retreating somewhat, the pressure mounted in the closing quarter with Parry making three good saves low down.
It appeared Goole had deservedly hung on, until that injury time blow with Adelukan and his team mates celebrating as if they had won the league, leaving Goole players and supporters believing they had dropped all three points rather than gaining, what is still a useful point away from home on the opening day.
Attention turns to new boys Sheffield at the Pleasure Grounds today evening kick off 7.45pm where the Vikings expect to name the same squad that were on duty at Shepshed with James McDaid still nursing an injured calf which may need until the weekend to heal.

12/08/07

Goole AFC 1, North Ferriby United 1

Following a minute's silence observed in memory of the late North Ferriby United director and Press Officer Dave Simmons, who died suddenly last Monday, both the Vikings and the Villagers
treated their last pre-season friendly in good fashion in steamy conditions at the Victoria Pleasure Grounds on Saturday.
The result was fair, the first half belonged totally to Goole, the second to the Premier Division Unibond side, who certainly looked stronger the longer the game went on.
Their use of second half replacements appeared to work in their favour, although they had to thank keeper Antoni Pecora for keeping them level in the first 45 minutes.
He was on hand to turn away a superb shot on the turn from Kevin Ryan, this following a delightful Goole move the length of the field and then he was on hand to deny Steve Rollinson after the Man of the Match for Goole danced away from the Ferriby central defence.
The Villageers were still without the inured Gary Bradshaw, who hopes to be fit for the big kick off this Saturday, and also new signing Andy Hayward, and they posed little threat to the Goole defence in the first period, Chris Jenkinson and the excellent James O'Neill safe as houses at the back.
Both goals came in the firt seven minutes of the second half punctuated by the inevitable substitutions. Firstly Goole took the lead when Jamie Waltham brought down James McDaid and Danny Buttle scored from the spot, this on 50 minutes, but almost immediately, a careless lunge by Craig Robinson on James McGarry enabled Michael price to just evade the dive of Craig Parry, who got half a hand on it but could not keep it out.
After that Ferriby showed a lot more with Anthony Bowsley showing up well, but Goole did rally in the closing stages and Rollinson could, perhaps should have done better with a tame shot wide and their trialist striker also headed wide from a Buttle cross.
However on a day when all the othe rleagues started, one got the impression both sides were anxious for their own season to start instead of treading water, although they do have players to return for next Saturday's opening games, Goole at Shepshed in Unibond League One South and Ferriby at home to Prescot in the Prmeier Division (More photos)

 Goole AFC manager Nigel Danby left for a well earned break on Friday
and can be reasonably happy with the way things
are going two weeks ahead of their opening Unibond One league game with
Shepshed.
True friendly results are nothing to go by - and the Vikings do remain
unbeaten, but in their games with Selby Town and the newly formed
Scarborough Athletic
in the last four days, there has been much to satisfy he and the rest
of the management team.
Of course there are one or two areas for improvement, and there always
are, but in the second half of both games especially, Goole have
produced promise which has led to wins eventually.
Against the Robins, Rob Constable finished a well worked move on the
hour mark to post a win to retain the Otisdale Cup, and then against
Scarborough on Thursday night, a first half penalty from Danny Buttle
and second half goals from James McDaid and Dean Sidebottom.
There were many chances that went begging too against Scarborough in
particular, but once again Steve Rollinson and Kevin Ryan shone well
and with Duncan Bray missing the opening two games through suspension,
there are places to be had.
Defensively, the opening 45 minutes in the Selby game had one or two
jittery moments, but they looked somewhere near normal against
Scarborough and the new signings appear to be bedding in alongside last
season's squad.
One player who has missed both games is Brad Hill, but he will return
for next Saturday's final warm-up game against North Ferriby.