Howden AFC v Beverley Town Reserves

Five Star Howden hit Beverley Hard
 

The MinsterMen bounced back this week with a perfect display in the East Riding Senior Cup, putting their name in the hat for round 3. Sam Schofield shone in the resounding 5-0 victory over Beverley Town Reserves. Holt shuffled his tactics around in a mini experiment which saw the MinsterMen utilize a back four for the first time this season. Schofield, Gorman and Westerman lined up in an attacking looking outfit. Howden began in a commanding fashion, play was controlled and patient from the home side. The visitors had come looking to cause an upset, but couldn't get close to the home side early on. With a quick tempo and a touch of class on the ball, Howden's first chance came. Bell was brought down cynically on the edge of the box and McArdle's resulting free kick whizzed past the post. Youngster Schofield had been showing glimpses of his raw talent as he caused the Beverley full back problems. A superb cross field pass from Andrew found Schofield in space. As he cut inside then back out, he fired a teasing cross into the six yard box which was turned home by the defender. Howden continued to dominate and soon doubled their lead with Schofield again the man of the moment. Latching onto a deflected over the top ball, the forward raced through one on one. Taking the ball around the onrushing keeper, the striker tapped home into an empty net. Still Howden worked tirelessly, whenever out of possession they hurried the visitors into making a mistake. Jackson had little to do in the first half as Josh Oldridge and co. defended well. Unlike previous weeks, the MinsterMen commanded in the air over their opponents. At Half-Time Holt reminded the side that the last home game they threw away a 2-0 lead. Echoed by skipper McMahon's desire to not defend for 45 minutes. That they didn't, they began the second half in a dominating fashion. Craig Gorman had been unlucky in front of goal as the ball wouldn't fall kindly, yet the striker still maintained the work ethic. From the front Howden pressed well. Holt introduced Luke Oldridge for Oliver McArdle who slotted straight in and kept up the high standard performance. As Beverley began to inch into the Howden half, Josh Jackson pulled off a world class save, tipping a header round the post to keep his clean sheet in tact. Webster & Ulliot came on for Andrew and Hutchinson as Holt had an eye on next weekend's table topping clash. Both again slotted into the high standards which the MinsterMen had set. Westerman picked up the ball on the left hand side. With options around, he found Schofield braking down the right. The youngster needed three touches. One to control, one to set and the third was a rifling 18 yard strike into the top corner. Howden weren't done though, more pass and move football saw Liam Bell get in on the act. The midfielder opening up and side footing into the top corner with a cute finish from 12 yards out. Westerman was lucky to only receive a yellow as the wide man kicked out after been caught by an elbow. Howden's work rate continued and Gorman finally sealed the deal with his first and Howden's fifth of the day. Jackson's kick wasn't dealt with and the striker latched onto the ball. Rounding the keeper, on a difficult angle, the striker curled in a shot with the outside of his boot. A resounding display and team effort pleased Holt. "We thoroughly deserved it today. The past two weeks we've been wanting to play like that but haven't. Today we made a good side look average. We tore them apart going forward and at the back we dominated. A perfect display". Howden face table toppers Driffield EI next weekend in league action, aiming to hand them their first defeat of the season.