Thirty-nine years since Crowle Keys’ first visit to Hibaldstow, the Isle side finally left with a victory, writes Gareth Parkin.
The 1975 team won the First Division title at the end of the season and also took the League Cup but still failed to beat lower-division Hibaldstow – a pattern repeated down the years as the Keys always leave their best form at home.
Even Sunday’s long-awaited win didn’t show Crowle at their best.
Gone was the smooth pass-and-move style of their two prior victories, replaced by an uncomfortable staccato of misplaced passes and niggly fouls.
Things began brightly enough when Aaron Taylor found room on the right wing to deliver a low cross into the box enabling Matthew Marshall to slide Crowle into the lead.
Hibaldstow, who conceded 12 goals the previous week, responded positively and would have equalised had Sam Thirkell not saved a one-on-one chance with his feet.
Around the half hour mark Danny Smyth had a rare sight of goal but his shot went over the bar.
At the other end Jamie Teal made a vital tackle to prevent Hibaldstow’s David Lowther shooting.
Keys established a two-goal advantage on 35 minutes when a free-kick on their right wing was headed out of Wanderers’ defence towards Steve Staniforth who volleyed home with aplomb.
Smyth should have scored just before half time but after doing the hard work of dribbling past three defenders, he shot tamely into the keeper’s arms.
Keys hung on to their clean sheet for only seven minutes after the restart when Mark Thornber bundled the ball over the line following a double save from Thirkell.
Whether it was nerves caused by the reduced lead, or the knowledge of their dismal record on this ground, Crowle’s football became scrappier and instead of pushing forward to increase their lead, they found themselves being forced back into their own penalty area, desperately defending their slender advantage.
Ten minutes were left to play when Marshall threaded a ball through the centre of Hibaldstow’s defence to Smyth who shouldered off a robust challenge and brushed the underside of the bar with a shot into the top corner.
The 3-1 scoreline removed the wind from Hibaldstow’s sails and the game fizzled out as a contest.
Hibaldstow are still without a point this season, while Keys maintained their 100 per cent record.
Keys go to Barton Broncos on Sunday morning.