GOALS, GOALS, GOALS

There is no better feeling than seeing your team score a goal on match day, be it a thirty yard screamer or a simple tap-in.  If it is the winner, that’s even better.

Danny Grainger’s free-scoring Reds have given us plenty of goals to cheer this season, from the four on the opening day against Pickering Town to the four at Tadcaster Albion last month – not forgetting the hundred in between.

Indeed, Reds have scored no fewer than 108 goals, in all competitions, this term and choosing the goal of the season has caused much debate amongst those supposedly in the know.  

There have been so many superb goals scored since last August, I found it difficult compiling a short list and, at one point, had about twenty which I thought worthy of mention.

For what it’s worth here are some of my favourites:

Kieran Maguire’s stunning half volley in the League Cup tie v. Kendal Town.

Scott Allison’s 100^th goal for the club in the 5-1 home win over Ramsbottom United.  Collected the ball from Jim Atkinson, touch, turn and measured finish.

Liam Brockbank’s well taken equaliser at Marske – good run, decent finish and not a bad first goal in senior football.

Dav Symington’s first of two in the Trophy replay v. Droylsden, a powerful low shot from the edge of the box.

Brad Hubbold’s well worked opener v. Tadcaster Albion after a neat one, two with Scott Allison created the opportunity.

Brad Hubbold’s stunner at Leek Town in the Trophy.  Received the ball with his back to goal, turned, got past two defenders then a great finish into top corner of the net.

Dav Symington having started on the bench v. Prescot Cables, made an impact after coming on with two crackers, particularly the second – a stunning hooked volley.

Nathan Waterston chipped in with a number of beauties but I particularly liked the one v. Marske United at home – cutting in from the right and a wonderful, curling left foot finish.

Scott Allison was gifted his goal at Droylsden but what a wonderful finish, a sublime chip over the stranded ‘keeper.

Conor Tinnion usually contributes with a bag full of goal-of-the-season contenders and, after a slow start, did so again.  The goals from the free-kicks against Trafford and Tadcaster were special but, like every other Reds fan, I say his second v. Tad has got to be one of the best this term.

Interestingly, Danny and Steven Rudd opted for Scott Allison’s goal v Ramsbottom United and Conor Tinnion’s second at Tadcaster in their top two.  Danny chose Conor’s solo effort as his first choice whereas Steven thought Scott’s was his favourite.

The manager also short-listed one of Dav Symington’s brace against Precscot Cables while Steven tagged Scott Allison’s chip at Droylsden and Dan Wordsworth’s scrambled winner at Trafford – an ugly, scrappy goal but so important in a match we got through on character.

I consulted the media corps to get their views and John Walsh chose Scott’s sublime goal at Droylsden, Nathan’s v. Marske at home and Conor’s second at Tadcaster Albion while Paul Armstrong opted for Nathan’s v. Marske as his first choice, Conor’s clever dribble and finish at Tad and Dav Symington’s opener against Pickering Town as his three favourites.

And not to be outdone, the fun bus crew listed their favourites as: Conor Tinnion (his second at Tad), Brad Hubbold (at Leek Town) and Nathan Waterston (v. Marske at home).   

 Although not official, the general consensus suggests that Conor Tinnion’s second goal at Tadcaster Albion was Reds’ goal-of-the-season.