Selby Town produce turnaround for fourth win from five

Selby started the game with some good early possession but Leeds were definitely in the mix with Town’s Caden McGrath forced to make an important early clearance.

South Leeds sensed there was an opportunity and went on the attack again with a speculative shot flying comfortably over the bar.

The pressure continued and South Leeds had a spell of possession, pinning Town back in their own half but they defended well as a unit, holding them at bay.

That all changed in the 20th minute when a Leeds cross found its way into the box and to the waiting Benjamin Agu. An easy far post headed finish at point blank range gave Leeds the lead.

Selby tried to fight back and went on the attack with Liam Love cutting in field and striking the ball just wide of the post.

This valiant effort was not enough to slow South Leeds however, with Mathew Hatch managing to cross the ball from the right hand side to the waiting Law, who headed the ball into the top left corner making it 2-0 to the visitors going into the half-time break.

South Leeds started the half the brighter team, immediately going on the attack with an early shot on target which was luckily aimed straight at the waiting Wilson in the Selby goal.

Town began to make their mark on the game with Dan Davison twisting and turning in the box before blasting the ball over the bar, not the best shot but the intent was there.

Shortly afterwards, Matty Dawes led a charge into the Leeds box but went to ground before he had chance to get a shot away.

In the 62nd minute, the breakthrough came for Selby, with Love firing a great cross into the six-yard box toward the waiting Harrison Rowley who smashed the ball into the roof of the net, opening the game up and setting the scene for an exciting final 30 minutes.

Selby continued to push for an equaliser with Clapham driving a low shot from inside the 18-yard box which was deflected and cleared by a Leeds defender.

With time running out, a corner whipped in from Love was met by defender Jack Bull who rose above everyone to head the ball home, getting that crucial equaliser.

The impetus was now with Town, and the players could see the game was theirs to win, and just three minutes later in the 90th minute, a dangerous ball sent in from Town’s defender McGrath entered the box.

Clapham heard the shout and ducked as the ball sailed over him to Troy Greening who smashed the ball home much to the delight of the Selby supporters.

With minutes to go, Town defended well, holding onto the ball where they could and seeing the game out, taking all three points.

Selby Town's under-21's were also in action, looking to build on an impressive 3-0 win over Maltby Main the week prior, taking on Thorne.

There were some changes to the home side who were facing a team that had finished very strongly last season, winning four and drawing one of their last five games while providing champions Harworth Colliery with their sole defeat of the campaign.

Thorne started the stronger with Keaton Reed providing the first interception to break up a move.

Then it was the turn of the Selby custodian Alfie Heathershaw to rush out and clear the ball as the visitors showed some pace and were willing to attack.

Tyler Wilson brought down a through ball with a lovely touch before pressing on and in  another move got a well-weighted ball to Tom Parkinson but the latter was flagged as offside.

Both sides were catching each other out in this fashion in an open game but with chances restricted.

Selby had a great chance to take the lead when the visiting keeper had to save but couldn't hold the ball.

Selby Town now have four wins from their last five matches. (Image: Harvey Brewster)

Unfortunately, the home side had nobody to pounce on the loose ball.

Robbie Adamson did well to break up another visiting move but disaster struck on 27 minutes when Thorne's Henry Parr found himself clean through in the Selby half.

Parr has already scored for his first-team on several occasions and was clinical when he placed the ball past the exposed Heathershaw who had no chance.

Parr was almost through again just moments later. Thorne's seven was finding himself unmarked in the Selby area on occasion and it would be fair to say the visitors were largely on top at this point.

Heads hadn't dropped though and a superb flowing move involving half the side saw Selby draw a decent save from the Thorne keeper.

Thorne made the early running in the second half and Heathershaw was again in action with a decent save. After this, Selby made their first substitutions.

This seemed to give them fresh impetus and the Robins largely dominated proceedings for the next twenty to twenty five minutes.

Whilst they weren't as clinical as they had been the previous week, the vocal Thorne custodian was in good form and made sure his equally well-drilled defenders knew when it was his and their responsibilities to get the ball clear. 

Wilson got past the visiting defence and crossed an inviting ball across their penalty area but nobody was there to capitalise. Another Selby move saw a shot go over the bar.

Vinny Ward had managed to recover on several occasions when Thorne drove through midfield and also put in a great tackle in his own penalty area to deny the visitors.

A pleasing four man move involving Gabriel Collarile, Ward, Wilson and Joe Bedford saw the subsequent shot go wide in a let-off for Thorne.

That was to prove costly when Thorne started to get back on top and on 79 minutes, Heathershaw beat out what looked certain goals twice in a matter of seconds before Parr pounced for his second of the game.

This was desperately unfortunate for Heathershaw and many in the supportive crowd let him know this.

Thorne's celebrations were raucous and apparently the result of some sledging between the sides, some of which had been aimed at Parr.

Several of the Robins had played with Thorne defender Riley Thompson for the Goole under-21's side last season but his new loyalties saw him 'take one for the team' to halt a Selby attack in a solid performance from him.

While Selby may not have been at their sharpest, it was unfortunate that they met a Thorne side who defended very well when required and met a forward in form in Parr.

The visitors saw the last few minutes out fairly comfortably.

Selby under-21's next home fixture is on Thursday, September 19 when the Robins play host to Retford FC under-21's.