Sparkling First Half Paves The Way To Playoff Positions

by Jeff King

Ebac Northern League Division 2 - Saturday 8th November 2025 Park View AFC 3 v 1 Jarrow FC

A superb opening 45 minutes was the catalyst to three more points for Park View as they won their third home game in a row. All three have been against opposition that could have overtaken them in the standings had they won.

As it was Park View ended an 11-match unbeaten run from the visitors that not only stopped Jarrow from leapfrogging them but took PV into 5th place in the table and thus, for now, the playoff places.

Jarrow had come into the game not just sporting that long unbeaten league but also on the back of a Durham County FA Challenge Cup 2 - 1 victory over Northern Premier League East Bishop Auckland in midweek.

Park View having not played since they completed a League double over AFC Newbiggin eight days earlier. There was a chance for another league double as Jarrow came seeking revenge from an early season defeat.

That game was played back in July and had seen Park View come away from Perth Green with a 2 - 0 win courtesy of goals from Brandon Young and Nathan Conroy.

Despite not having played in a week PV were forced into a couple of changes from their last outing. Alex Clark was injured and Reyhan Grimaud injured. In their places Joe Sykes and Brad Hughes moved up from the bench.

The first opening of the game came the way of the visitor's after barely 4 minutes on the clock. Dylan Robson hesitating on the edge of the box and being dispossessed by Lutfar Karim's sliding challenge.

The ball fell to Joe Bates centrally inside The 'D' but with no-one in front of him he shot weakly straight at James Hughes who was able to save comfortably. PV countered with a Robson long throw won by Jacob Mallinson on the right.

Robson launched the ball into a dangerous area and it was flicked on by Jamie Frizzel finding Charlie Loveday at the back post who hit a firm first-time left foot volley from 8-yards but Jak Wells was well placed to make a neat low save.

Bates managed to outpace Sykes on PV's right before putting in a good cross that J Hughes did well to reach and try to turn away. His parry though hitting Karim and bouncing wide for a goal kick.

Mallinson was looking lively for the hosts on the right and once again won a throw-in level with the penalty area off Aidan Maher. Again Robson hurled it long and this time skipper Dylan Wilkinson at the near post flicked it on.

The ball flying to the back post where Loveday again got free but couldn't get over the top of the chance and was only able to head over from inside the six-yard box.

PV were looking the more likely and on the 20-minute mark had a great chance to take the lead. The ball was played by Sykes inside to Ben Gallagher who found Mallinson inside the box about 12-yards out.

Mallinson managed to get his shot on target through a crowd but saw Wells diving low to his right to make a superb reflex stop. The ball came out though to Stephen Siyanbola sliding inside the six-yard box but he put his effort just wide.

Jarrow did relieve some of the pressure when Max Nelson's long punt forward was headed out for a corner by Sykes. Keiron Beattie took it and swung a really dangerous ball right under the PV cross bar that Hughes did well to palm away.

On 30 minutes Wells was called into action once again after an excellent Park View move. Robson winning a ball at the back and then playing it well up to Siyanbola just inside the Jarrow half.

Siyanbola showing great hold-up play before finding Brandon Young surging forward. Young found Loveday on the left and continued his forward run. The return pass from Loveday giving him space to try his luck from 20-yards.

He looked up and curled a lovely effort towards the left hand post of Wells but the keeper was up to the effort and went full length to turn it away in fine style. Shortly after this Maher was replaced by Harry Knowles for Jarrow.

On 36 minutes Park View got the opening goal that their progressive forward thinking play deserved and what a beauty it was. A Jarrow clearance from defence was picked up by Frizzel.

He played it inside to Gallagher who delightfully spun clear of his marker Josh Leonard and into space. Without hesitating Gallagher took a touch and from fully 25-yards hit a great right foot shot cutting across the ball.

It flew true, dipped and swerved and although Wells appeared well placed the movement of the ball caught him completely flat-footed as it hit the back of the net to give Park View the lead.

Jarrow almost responded immediately. The industrious Josh Willis finding Bates with a neat ball. Bates twisting and turning as he advanced on the Park View goal and then from the edge of the box fired just wide of the right hand upright.

But it was a rare foray for Jarrow who were soon on the back foot again as Park View pushed forward with pace and verve. The home side getting a further reward for their endeavours on 42 minutes.

This time it came with a lightning decisive counter attack after Young did well to nick a ball inside his own half directing it to Mallinson who moved forward. Mallinson returning the ball to the breaking Young just inside the Jarrow half.

Young made a brilliant first-time back heel flick into the path of Gallagher who surged towards the Jarrow box finding Siyanbola on the edge. The centre forward looked like he had a chance to shoot but chose not too.

Instead he rolled the ball to Mallinson inside the 'D'. Mallinson taking a great touch before firing the ball into the right corner of the Jarrow net with Wells rooted to the spot. A great move with a great finish.

Perhaps Park View were mindful of last season's fixture between the two sides. In that one Park View under the name of Chester-le-Street United took a 2 - 0 lead into half-time and lost 3 - 2. This time they looked for a third.

It nearly came almost immediately. A ball over the top saw Loveday in a race with Nelson and the speedy PV forward getting there first before advancing into the box. Loveday fired a low angled 14-yard left footer towards the corner.

Once again though Wells was equal to it diving to his right and pushing the ball away to safety to keep Park View out. It was a great save to stop a great move producing a great goal.

But, Wells could do little to prevent Park View going three-up inside first half injury time. The injury to Maher in particular causing sufficient time to be added to give Park View another chance they took advantage of.

It came after sustained pressure and four set plays. The first being a Mallinson right wing corner that was cleared out to the left to give Robson a long throw opportunity which he delivered and Jarrow cleared again.

This time Young picked the loose ball up on the left but was tripped by Leonard before he had a chance to cross. Mallinson and Loveday worked a short free kick and Mallinson sprinted into the box but Willis tackled him conceding a corner.

From the left Mallinson hit a great that almost crept under the bar. Wells scrambling across his line to tip the ball over the bar. Corner on the right and a beautiful delivery from Mallinson into the heart of the Jarrow box.

Robson anticipating the flight superbly. Losing his marker he met the ball firmly with a great downward header from 12-yards that flashed past the diving Wells to push Park View further into the lead.

There was still time for more injury time drama. Firstly Beattie was sin-binned for clear audible dissent to the referee after disputing a free kick awarded to Park View. A free kick Wilkinson delivered into the Jarrow box.

Jonathan Bainbridge headed it clear and Gallagher was on to the loose ball in a flash controlling it and then smashing a 20-yard effort just wide of the post with Wells well beaten.

It was the last action of a first half that saw a shell shocked Jarrow Management Team stay on the pitch for some time clearly discussing tactics before they followed their players into the dressing room.

The consequences of those discussions and Park View's superb first half performance were new signing Charlie Twinn coming on for his debut in place of Leonard and Jamie Norvell replacing Jay Barber.

Jarrow despite starting the second half with Beattie in the sin-bin did start the brighter and Bates powering forward hit a vicious drive from about 22-yards that did hit the side netting although J Hughes had it covered.

Beattie restored Jarrow did push PV back although Mallinson did produce one great run down the right touchline and delivered a cross that Young couldn't quite reach as he broke late into the box. The ball glancing wide off his head.

With Beattie back prompting the side from midfield Park View began to sit back and soak up pressure. Jarrow though not able to create clear cut chances although Bates had a couple of efforts from distance that went just wide.

In truth though PV were coping well until the 68th minute when Jarrow finally grabbed a lifeline. Beattie picking a loose ball in the centre of the pitch then driving to the right before delivering a deep cross to the back post.

Sykes intercepted but failed to clear his lines and Norvell alive to the opportunity slid in and poked the ball home with his left foot from 10-yards out. It certainly buoyed Jarrow who were looking dangerous.

They almost grabbed a second when Bates curled a great ball in behind the PV defence and in front of J Hughes but despite flinging himself full length Beattie couldn't make contact with the goal at his mercy.

As the game ticked into injury time Bates made one final run at the PV defence only to upended by Sykes 22-yards from goal. The PV full back receiving a yellow card for the foul.

The free kick was taken by Knowles who curled around the wall aiming for the left hand bottom corner. It was a good effort and although on target J Hughes got across well and pushed the ball away.

PV took a little time off the clock by replacing Sykes with Ollie Taylor as they comfortably in the end despite Jarrow's pressing held the visitor's off to take another great three points.

A proverbial game of two halves? Well there's no denying that Park View were electric in the first half and especially the way they closed it out. Jarrow were better in the second when perhaps PV sat back a little too deep.

But the end result meant that Park View were able to go above Chester-le-Town into 5th place as Town were without a game this weekend. They now have three more points than sixth placed Chester and still have a game in hand.

Park View return to Ebac Northern League Division 2 action next Saturday 15th November with a 15:00pm kick-off against bottom of the table Billingham Synthonia.

TEAM : 1. James Hughes 2. Joe Sykes 3. Jamie Frizzel 4. Brad Hughes 5. Dylan Wilkinson (c) 6. Dylan Robson 7. Jacob Mallinson 8. Ben Gallagher 9. Stephen Siyanbola 10. Brandon Young 11. Charlie Loveday

SUBS : 12. Nathan Conroy (Not Used) 14. Sam Beattie (for Mallinson 67 mins) 15. Frankie Young (for B Hughes 82 mins) 16. Ollie Taylor (for Sykes 90 mins) 17. Ethan Connelly (Not Used)

SCORERS : Gallagher 36 Mallinson 42 Robson 45 + 3 PLAYER of the GAME : Dylan Robson