North Burton 1

Division Two

LITTLE Driffield ended their Division Two campaign with a battling victory against North Burton to secure fourth position in the league.

This was the home side’s tenth league victory but what started as an easy opening 20 minutes turned into a somewhat lucky win albeit worth three points.

At the start North Burton were played off the park with forwards Goddard and Palmer both having good chances to open the scoring.

So it was no surprise when Palmer did open Driffield’s account on 15 minutes. Ward’s long pass to Kember opened up the Burton defence, with the midfielder cutting in along the goalline before finding Palmer who drilled home from close in.

Skelton and Ellis were bossing the centre of midfield and a second goal followed ten minutes later though Marley who continued his rich end of season scoring vein as he cashed in on a mistake by the Burton centre back and rounded the keeper to score.

As the half settled down, Driffield relaxed a little too much for coach Berriman, allowing Burton back into the match. A couple of crosses were scrambled away by defenders Ward and Watts and keeper Watson was called upon to make two excellent saves, first beating away a one-on-one and then almost letting a rasping shot escape his grasp before just stopping the ball as it was going over the line.

Subs Taylor and Dean came on at half time, the changes temporarily upsetting the home team’s balance, allowing Burton to come at their hosts. Steve Raines and Andy Watts were in the thick of the action and behind them keeper Watson was having his best game of the season, helping to keep his team in the game. But even he couldn’t prevent Burton pulling a goal back in the 70th minute after Watts gave away a penalty.

Unfortunately for Burton, the glimmer of hope this goal gave them soon dimmed as Rich Goddard collected the ball on the edge of their area and rounded the keeper to end the scoring at 3-1.

o The club would like to thank their supporters once again for their encouragement throughout 2007-08and look forward to seeing them again next season. Thanks also to Gary and Michelle at the Mariners Arms for their post-match hospitality, and finally a ‘well done’ to all the players.