November included the start and end of our West Riding County Cup campaign as well as a trip to Tranmere Rovers’ Prenton Park Stadium and a memorable strike from Ollie Norburn against Bromley.
Our first match of the month was a trip to Silsden in the WRCC, Mark Bower named a much changed side which failed to secure progress to the next round.
Josh Snowden scored the equaliser just before half-time after Joe Mitchell had took the lead for the hosts but a late goal from Danny McNally saw The Cobbydalers continue their run in the cup.
The Lions were back at Nethermoor on a wet Saturday as Barrow came to visit, the match had a delayed kick-off after heavy rain during the afternoon had waterlogged the pitch but efforts from the ground staff and volunteers saw the game go ahead.
Their efforts were rewarded after just five minutes when Danny Boshell scored a rare header to give his side the lead, Rob Atkinson doubled the advantage with a back-post finish.
Just on the cusp of half-time Andy Cook pulled one back from the spot after Ryan Toulson had handled the ball on the edge of the area.
The visitors were reduced to nine men when David Mellor received his second yellow card just three minutes into the second half, Anthony Dudley then made it 3-1 with an impressive finish in the 73rd minute and just five minutes later Nick Anderton received a straight red for The Bluebirds.
Next up was a trip to league leaders and eventual winners Cheltenham Town, the hosts raced into a two goal lead through Billy Waters and Rob Dickie’s strikes after just nine minutes with many of the visiting supporters arriving late and missing the first goal.
Rob Atkinson then left the field after 15 minutes with a hamstring injury which kept him out of action for a couple of months, Adam Lockwood was then sent off just two minutes into the second half.
Waters scored his second of the game after 62 minutes and Cheltenham extended their lead through Jack Munns and James Rowe to cap off a miserable evening for the Lions.
It didn’t get any easier as Eastleigh rolled into town looking to keep up their impressive record away from the Silverlake Stadium.
After a late pitch inspection the game went ahead and the Spitfires took the lead through Adam Drury’s header and they doubled their advantage shortly after through Joe Partington.
Adam Boyes pulled one back and an equaliser looked to be on the cards but Eastleigh scored two more goals through Adam Drury and Jai Reason to punish the Lions.
A trip to Prenton Park followed to face a Tranmere side who had had a mixed start to their season and were without a win for over a month.
Danny Boshell scored his second goal in two weeks after a neat cross from Gavin Rothery was headed clear to the player assistant who volleyed in from 20 yards out.
It looked to have sent the Lions in at half-time with a one goal advantage but James Norwood’s goal in the third minute of injury time was enough to send the sides in level at the break.
Anthony Dudley went close in the second half but Norwood struck his second goal of the game in the third minute of injury time from the penalty spot after he was tripped by Steven Drench.
The month ended with an important win for the Lions and a memorable day for Ollie Norburn whose spectacular goal rubbed shoulders with Lionel Messi in a Goal of the Week contest on the Guardian’s website.
The goal came in the 45th minute as he let fly from fully 30 yards and his shot flew into the top corner.
Anthony Dudley then doubled the advantage in the 89th minute and sealed a hard fought three points on another wet Saturday at Nethermoor.