Match Report | Newcastle Benfield (H)

A big thanks must go out to all 167 in attendance for yesterday's game as the rain made for very wet and challenging viewing conditions at The Calvert Stadium as Town hosted Newcastle Benfield who started the game in 8th place in the table.

First-Half

The downpour that started around an hour before kick-off continued into the game and made for a scrappy start, with both sides having to fight for prolonged periods of possession.

Town then managed to take the lead when a free-kick whipped in from Nathan Stephenson was turned in by Charlie Graham and beyond the reach of Andrew Grainger in the Benfield goal.

As the half progressed, the visitors were aiming for an equaliser and great goalkeeping from loanee Sam Taylor prevented Ben Dibb-Fuller from scoring before thwarting a couple of subsequent attempts.

Then the first clear-cut chance for the visitors came with 7 minutes or left of the half but Eddie Thomas dragged his effort wide of the Town goal.

HT - Northallerton Town 1 - 0 Newcastle Benfield

Second-Half

The second period saw Benfield come into the game more regularly and began to get the better of things early on. Cameron Gascoigne doing well down the right and delivered a great ball across the Town box but there was nobody available to turn home.

Town did well to deal with the immediate pressure and were looking dangerous on the counter, Charlie Graham seeing a goalbound effort blocked before being cleared away.

A raft of changes from both sides disrupted the flow of the game somewhat around the hour mark with both sides looking to gain the upper hand on proceedings.

Unfortunately for Town, their defensive resistance was soon to be broken. Liam McNamara equalising for the visitors following a corner taken by Cameron Gascoigne.

Town did have one or two chances to try and retake the lead late on, Charlie Graham saw a headed effort cleared off the line before Matthew Crust's follow-up attempt was deflected wide and finally, Luke Jones saw an effort go wide in injury time.

FT - Northallerton Town 1 - 1 Newcastle Benfield