West traveled to Northallerton Town this weekend, as we headed to The Calvert Stadium. It was the start of a tough November, which includes games against Gateshead, Redcar, Blue Star and Blyth Town. We went into this game on the back of a huge win against Boro Rangers. Northallerton were 15th in the league, P19, W6, D3, L10, and also went into the game on the back of a victory, a 2-1 away win at Easington Colliery.

During the opening 15 minutes, it was West who had the best opportunity to get the game’s first goal. 6 minutes in, Joey Hope fired a shot wide after finding space in a threatening position. Then, just after the quarter of an hour mark, Archie Dodds had a great chance. His shot was well saved by Northallerton goalkeeper Callum Dobson, who got down low to keep the shot out. Northallerton’s Alistair Banks had a chance on 23 minutes, but he couldn’t quite get his shot to threaten the West goal. West’s Archie Dodds was again involved with 30 minutes gone, a fantastic save by Dobson denying Dodds his first West Auckland Town goal. That was followed by an opportunity for the home team. West goalkeeper Nick Liversedge beat away a dangerous cross by Banks, which was then followed by Nathan Stephenson firing over the bar. Stephenson was involved again a few minutes later. His free-kick was fired over the bar from just outside the West 18-year box. Just before the end of the first half, Northallerton were forced into a change. James Coatsworth limped off to be replaced by Joseph Dixon. As the whistle blew for half-time, the score was 0-0 and there had been chances for both teams in what was a competitive first 45 minutes.

The second half kicked off and Northallerton Town took the lead after just 33 seconds. Jack Stapley intercepted a West pass and played a great ball into Alistair Banks, who fired Northallerton into the lead. Banks was then fouled on the edge of West’s 18 yard box, and Jack Raper fired a free kick over the bar. Northallerton keeper Dobson was called into action again on 65 minutes, with a save from Alfie Conway, keeping the score 1-0. Three quarters of an hour into the game, Adam Mitchell had a free-kick for West. His shot was blasted into the wall and cleared from danger. West were unable to break down Northallerton’s defense and the home team held on to take three points.

After the game, we spoke to Man of the Match Adam Mitchell. 

“I thought we controlled the game first half. We had some fantastic chances that we didn’t take early on, which kept the opposition in the game. The start to the second half wasn’t good enough which allowed them to break on us and score a soft goal. We did get control back eventually, but it was too late. We move onto Tuesday for a very tough game against Gateshead.”

Full-Time: Northallerton Town 1-0 West Auckland Town

Competition: Northern League Division One

Attendance: 206

Match Report by Phil Dodds

Photos by Andy Mitchell.