The Under 18's (Sponsored by Steve Brettle Fabrications Ltd) 100% start to the league campaign ended with a 4 – 3 loss at home to Seaton Carew ‘Lions’.
 
With both teams unbeaten in the league so far this season, it was always going to be a close game and it went right down to the final whistle.
 
Coulby knew that the potent strike force of Seaton was one to be watched and for the first ten minutes of the half, they managed to keep them at bay.  Unfortunately though, after 11 minutes the visitors took the lead.
With the wind behind him, their keeper launched a great kick which bounced just outside the Coulby area which Matty Craven did well to put out for a corner. However, the resultant ball wasn’t dealt with by the Coulby defence and their striker was allowed to nip in at the near post and steer the ball passed Liam McPherson.
 
Coulby began to find their passing game with Jordan O’Brien masterful in the middle of the park.  With Luke Smailes alongside him they began to control the game releasing Jordan Turnbull and Tom Carling on the flanks. 
 
And it was from one of these two that Coulby drew level.
 
Tom Murphy won a tussle for the ball deep in his own half and played it up to Tom Carling.  With a change of pace, Tom left his marker for dead and raced towards the 18 yard box.  As the central defender came over to cut out his run, Tom cleverly played the ball across the box which Connor Mitchell gleefully buried into the net.
Coulby began to impose themselves in the game more and more, and had the usual dependent Seaton defence backpedalling.
 
A great corner from Tom Carling was met at the far post by Andrew Geddes, but he could only see his header falling into the arms of the relieved keeper. 
 
After twenty minutes, Coulby took the lead.  Matty Bennison played a ball out of defence to Luke Smailes, who in turn released Jordan Turnbull.  As he twisted and turned in the box, his marker took his legs from under him and the referee pointed immediately to the spot.  Luke stepped up and calmly slotted home leaving the keeper rooted to his spot.
 
Coulby continued their grip on the game with Michael McAvoy in inspired forma again at the back.  However, as half time approached, Seaton drew level.
 
Another long punt up field by the keeper was half cleared by the Coulby defence, but the ball fell nicely to a Seaton player, who took a touch before hitting a shot from 20 yards which deceived the unsighted Liam McPherson and nestled in the net.
 
H-T:  2 – 2
 
It was hoped that with the wind now in their backs, Coulby would be able to take a hold of the game again and press for the lead.  However, for the first fifteen minutes of the half it was the visitors who were in control. 
 
Coulby had begun to lose their bite and were second to every ball, and Seaton capitalised on this. 
 
They were awarded a penalty of their own after only five minutes of the half which was duly converted.
 
Minutes later they grabbed a controversial fourth.  Michael McAvoy was shepherding the ball out for a goalkick and was pushed in the back by the Seaton attacker, unfortunately on the blindside of the referee.  As Michael fell he knocked the ball with his knee and the referee awarded a corner.  The resultant kick was met with a powerful header by one of the Seaton players and shot into the net.
 
Coulby made a number of changes at this point, bringing Josh Taylor, Kurtis Wittcomb and Olly Harrison into the game as they pressed to reduce the deficit.
 
Seaton began to break the game up and Coulby found it very difficult to produce any passage of play that would result in a goal.
 
Josh Taylor came very close to reducing the scoreline, when a scuffed clearance reached him just outside the area, and he hit a lovely shot which the keeper did well to hold onto.
 
With only a minute or so remaining, Coulby grabbed a goal back.  A ball from Olly Harrison was flicked into the path of Tom Carling by Andrew Geddes and his drilled shot across the area could only be parried by the keeper straight onto the right foot of Josh Taylor who made no mistake in striking home.
 
However, a comeback wasn’t to be as soon after the referee brought the game to an end.  So a defeat it was and the lads now need to learn from this, pick themselves back up and ensure that by believing in themselves for the whole 90 minutes of a game, the winning streak will get back on track.
 
A diversion from League action this coming Sunday as we host Redcar Town A in the Quarter Finals of the North Riding County Cup.