Scarborough Athletic FC

January 2024

The New Year began with more frustration for the Seadogs as they threw away a 2-goal lead at home against Shrewsbury Town to only earn a point. The hosts have been on a struggling run of form of late but must have felt the corner had finally been turned after they raced into a 2-goal head start. Scarborough took just 3 minutes to open the scoring, a Liam Walsh free kick headed clear only as far as De Matteis, who whipped the ball back in to the middle. Recalled Dempsey Arlott-John was on hand to smash the ball into the roof of the net. 19 minutes gone the lead was doubled, Liam Walsh again involved after receiving possession from Fin Back, picking out Dempsey Arlott-John who turned Jones inside out before finishing in the bottom corner. Shrewsbury pulled one back just after the half hour mark, Dan Jones cross being headed home by Remi Oteh, who had lost his marker. The comeback was complete on 66 minutes, Remi Oteh again doing the damage, this time firing home from a failed clearance. The result means Scarborough have now failed to win in their last 6 league games, a far cry from their earlier season form, and are now 6 points off league leaders Ipswich, who beat them back in December.



Scarborough forgot about their recent league woes with a sensational – victory against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup 3rd Round. The travelling Scarborough fans feared the worst when they saw Levi Colwill give away a penalty just 3 minutes in with a stupid challenge on Louis Woods just 3 minutes into the game. Stephen Walker stepped up to take the spot kick but saw his effort tipped away by a tremendous save from Nathan Broome. The visitors then took the lead with 19 minutes gone, as Levi Colwill atoned for his earlier error. His long punt forward released Dimitri Sea, who outpaced the Boro back line to side foot home off the inside of the post. 3 minutes later there was more delight as the lead was doubled, Liam Walsh knocking the ball down for Galbraith in the middle of the park. His ball forward was flicked on by Broadhead to find Dimitri Sea, who had once again got in behind the defence, before finishing for his second of the game. The home side showed promise of a comeback earlier in the second half as they committed more men forward, Louis Woods going close as his header smashed back off the bar. The Boro forward was then celebrating as he did pull one back, playing a one-two with Stephenson before losing Nyassi to fire across the keeper and home. With Boro still looking for an equaliser, the visitors hit them on the break to give themselves one foot in the next round, a throw in from Liam Walsh being knocked down by Galbraith and Dempsey Arlott-John poked in at the near post, although the keeper should have done better. A demoralised Boro side then suffered as they tried in vein to find a way back, only to find themselves continually undone as Scarborough continued to press. The inevitable fourth goal came when Brunt found Arlott-John on the wing, and his inch perfect cross found Mario Mandžukić, up above everyone in the box, to head home. The rout was complete with just 2 minutes remaining, Mandžukić knocking the ball back to Colwill, and his cross finding Dimitri Sea completely unmarked in the box to head home. The outstanding result and performance will hopefully give the Seadogs a lift in the coming weeks as they look to improve their wayward league form. Scarborough were rewarded with a home tie against Premier League AFC Bournemouth in the next round.



Scarborough followed up their superb FA Cup victory last weekend with an important win in the league as they brushed aside Carlisle United 4-1. The Seadogs continued their fine form against Carlisle, who they have already defeated in the league and EFL Trophy this season, as they secured their first League One win in 7 attempts with another impressive attacking performance. The visitors took the lead with 11 minutes on the clock, a Fin Back free kick being met on the volley by Chris Mochrie. Joe Wildsmith did well to block the initial shot, but Levi Colwill was on hand to roll the ball into the empty net for his first goal of the season. Carlisle had a chance to level on 13 minutes, after they were awarded a dubious penalty after Forrest slid in on Hardy in the box. Some would argue justice was done as Nathan Broome saved his second penalty in as many games to deny Hardy. Scarborough were awarded a penalty of their own 2 minutes into the second half, as Arlott-John was shoved over in the area by Maesano. Dimitri Sea stepped up and smashed home, beating Wildsmith who guessed the right way. Skipper Zak Brunt made it 3-0 in the 74th minute, breaking through the middle to get on the end of a through ball from Sea, before rounding the keeper to slot home. 2 minutes later the hosts pulled one back, a McKirdy free kick being volleyed home by an unmarked Joe Grayson at the far post. Any lingering doubts of letting a lead slip again were erased in stoppage time as the visitors scored a fourth. A Ben Knight corner was half-cleared by Grayson, but substitute Nathan Broadhead was on hand to take a touch and bend round the keeper and into the corner. The win sees Scarborough remain in 3rd, on level points with Walsall.



Scarborough maintained their recent turnaround in form as they recorded a comfortable 2-0 win at home to Grimsby Town at the weekend. Grimsby had got the better of their hosts earlier in the season, recording a 1-0 victory at Blundell Park, so Scarborough were keen to grab revenge in this one. The Seadogs had welcomed 3 new faces into the club in the build up to the game, with news that Will Jenkins and Lazaro Giacinti had joined on loan from Spurs and Liverpool respectively, while former Manchester City striker Aminu Mohammed had also joined the club on a four-week trial. Will Jenkins was handed a start in this one, replacing Levi Colwill at left back. The home side were almost in front inside the first minute, Galbraith winning the ball in midfield and releasing Sea, but the striker saw his shot come back off the inside of the post. 16 minutes in the hosts did have the lead, Egan-Riley whipping a ball in and Chris Mochrie doing well to get up above the defence and flick on. Sea connected well with the volley, and when McKeown parried away Alberto De Matteis was on hand to slot in the rebound. The result was secured in the 69th minute when Callum Forrest saw his initial header blocked from a Chris Mochrie corner, but the centre half reacted the quickest to put his side 2-0 in front.

Scarborough finally overcame Sunderland to record as they recorded a memorable 2-0 victory at the Stadium of Light to progress into the EFL Trophy North Quarter Final. The Seadogs had lost both previous games against the Black Cats, failing to even manage a goal, but they looked fired up to make amends this time against a largely second-string Sunderland side. The visitors took the lead after 22 minutes, Callum Forrest scoring for the second successive game as he met a Liam Walsh corner with a bullet header to put his side in front. The tie, and progress, were secured with 5 minutes remaining in normal time, Broadhead and Fin Back combining in the middle before finding Ben Knight out wide. The winger beat Butterworth then produced a superb cross to pick out Mario Mandžukić at the back stick, the Croatian obliging to head home his 10th goal of the season. The Seadogs avoided another match-up with Manchester City under-23’s as their affiliate side went out on penalties against cross city rivals Manchester United, after the pair drew 2-2, meaning Scarborough will now welcome the Old Trafford youngsters in the next round.



Scarborough continued their impressive cup form of recent years as they celebrated holding Premier League side Bournemouth to a 0-0 draw in the FA Cup 4th round. Both sides had their chances, and Bournemouth will no doubt be aggrieved after seeing two goals chalked out. With 6 minutes gone, Dodo with the free kick and Dominic Solanke heading home, only to see the assistant referee rule out the goal as Solanke had strayed offside in the build-up. 6 minutes later it was an almost carbon copy, a slightly deeper free kick this time from Dodo, and Solanke again both the culprit and the executioner, as he went slightly too earlier before heading home, although this one was far closer than the earlier goal. For their part, Scarborough’s best chance came at the end of a superb solo run by winger Alberto De Matteis, beating 3 men and cutting across the middle before seeing his eventual effort tipped over the bar by Brayan Cortes. The pair will now meet again in the week, with Scarborough’s original match against Fleetwood now re-arranged for late February as a result.



Scarborough crashed out of the FA Cup as they came unstuck against Premier League side Bournemouth at the second time of asking, eventually losing 4–0 on the south coast. There were to be no repeat heroics in the replay as the League One side found themselves 3-0 down within 10 minutes. The first goal came just 2 minutes in, McCalmont seeing his direct free-kick beat Nathan Broome but come crashing back off the post, but Dominic Solanke was on hand to slot home the rebound. 2 minutes later it got worse for the visitors as Bournemouth added a second. Youcef Atal did well to find space on the wing, and his cross found Callum Wilson in the middle to head home. 9 minutes in Bournemouth were then handed the chance to go 3 up, Atal again causing the problems before De Matteis tripped him inside the box. Callum Wilson stepped up to beat Broome from the spot and grab his second of the game. 3 minutes into the second half Bournemouth had their fourth, a Ryan Fraser free-kick being met by a bullet header from Samuel Gigot giving Nathan Broome no chance and ensuring the Premier League side progress into latter stages.



Scarborough turned on one of the performances of the season as they turned Sunderland over 4-0 at the weekend. The Seadogs welcomed the Black Cats to town, hoping to seek revenge for their 4-0 drubbing against Bournemouth in the week, although few could have predicted it happening. The Seadogs beat Sunderland 2 games ago so at least the fear was gone, and it showed as Sea hit the crossbar in the opening minute. 2 minutes later the hosts had the lead, a long throw from Liam Walsh headed home superbly by Callum Forrest. Sunderland thought they had equalised minutes later as George Cooper got on the end of a Gooch free-kick, but he was offside. The visitors were then reduced to 10 men with 30 minutes gone, Matthew Irwin seeing a second yellow for pulling back Sea. The red card handed the initiative to the hosts, who doubled their lead 5 minutes into the second half. Colwill fed De Matteis down the line, and when his cross was initially cleared by Gero, the ball fell to Liam Walsh, who took a touch, steadied himself and fired home from 25 yards out. Scarborough grabbed a 3rd in the 71st minute, Galbraith winning the ball and finding Egan-Riley, who in turn slipped through debutante Aminu Mohammed to fire past the keeper, 2 minutes after coming on for his debut. The result was underlined with a fourth in the 78th minute, another Walsh throw causing problems, this time Galbraith producing a fancy back-heel for Walsh, whose cross found Albert De Matteis perfectly to volley home. The result definitely gave the home side a boost coming towards the end of the month, although they remain third.



Scarborough finished the month with a frustrating 0-0 draw as they travelled to face Oxford United. The visitors came into the game in fine form, and dominated throughout, while the hosts were limited to just 3 chances, but unfortunately they failed to make the dominance count. Scarborough had the ball in the net after 33 minutes, a Liam Walsh corner being flicked on by Galbraith and Fin Back on hand to poke home, but the flag went straight up and replays show the midfielder was offside. In the 2nd half the visitors continued to control the game, De Matteis hitting the cross bar with a volley on 81 minutes after a fantastic solo run and one-two with Egan-Riley. De Matteis was then guilty of a bad miss minutes later when Arlott-John found him in space inside the area. In the end it proved to be the final chance of note, and an evening of frustration for the Seadogs, who remain 3rd at the end of the month.



Manager’s Review
A tough month successfully navigated. The games came thick and fast, especially with the addition of the replay against Bournemouth, where it was clear to see fatigue got the better of us. Some impressive victories in there though, notably finally beating Sunderland, while the 4-1 against Carlisle was also impressive. Player of the month goes to Ethan Galbraith, who has again been superb in the deep lying role in January.

Sadly not got to play as much recently..... I've not forgotten about you all though, hope everyone is staying safe and OK. Latest update below.

February 2024

Scarborough remain second in the league, level on points with league leaders Ipswich, following a well earned 1-0 victory at home against Walsall. The hosts had moved up to second for a while, with Ipswich losing and Charlton drawing, all three sides on level points, before a late goal gave Charlton the win and saw them pull 2 points clear at the top. Scarborough once again came up against former star Ezekiel Bancroft, but it was the home side who were displaying the attacking threat throughout, Liam Walsh seeing his free kick well saved as they went close in the first half. The breakthrough eventually came in the 73rd minute, from a Walsall corner. Nyassi cleared the ball, and Aminu Mohammed was on hand to pick up the clearance and drive forward, breaking down the right and eventually getting his shot away. Liam Roberts did well to deny the initial shot, but there was nothing he could do when Ethan Galbraith reacted first to fire in the rebound.

Scarborough continued their progress in the EFL Trophy as they ensure a sport in the Semi-Finals following a 2-0 victory against Manchester United U-23s. The hosts had beaten Sunderland in the last round, while United beat cross city rivals Man City to ensure this quarter final tie. Hosts Scarborough underlined their intentions to progress with a strong line-up, and it paid off massively as they took the lead just 3 minutes in. A Liam Walsh corner was volleyed goalwards by Dimitri Sea, and Ethan Galbraith was on hand to poke beyond the keeper, scoring against his former club. The victory was secured after 32 minutes when the home side grabbed their second. Arlott-John did superbly well to beat his man down the right and get in a cross, and Mario Mandžukić was completely unmarked in the middle to head home for his 11th of the season. Scarborough will now host Liverpool Under 23’s in the semi-final, as they triumphed 2-0 against Shrewsbury, with a trip to Wembley still very much on the cards.



Scarborough’s automatic promotion hopes took a massive dent as they crashed 2-0 at the weekend against Gillingham. The Gills find themselves near the bottom, while Scarborough currently occupy third, but it would have been hard to tell based on the game, as the home side really took it to the side 19 places above them. The first goal came courtesy of a massive error from Levi Colwill. Xande Silva broke through the middle, Colwill was on hand to win back possession but his massively under hit backpass fell straight to Sean O’Connor, who made no mistake as he rounded Nathan Broome to score. The second goal came just a minute later, much to the embarrassment of the visitors. An overhit cross by Regan Charles-Cook was recovered by Allan Jackson, and when he hit the ball back across the area, Charles-Cook found himself completely unmarked to fire home, securing his side a massive 3 points in their battle against relegation. Scarborough suffered a further setback as they also lost Chris Mochrie early on to injury, with a suspected broken arm which is expected to sideline him for some time.



Scarborough guaranteed themselves a trip to Wembley as they absolutely crushed Liverpool Under 23’s in the Northern Semi-final in the week. Hosts Scarborough were looking to bounce back from the disappointing defeat against Gillingham at the weekend, as well as giving themselves to potential to lift another piece of silverware, and they did themselves no harm as they took the lead inside 10 minutes. Liam Walsh’s inswinging corner found Callum Forrest free at the near post to head home, his second in the competition and an impressive 7th so far for the centre half. After 24 minutes the lead was doubled as Dimitri Sea ended his latest drought, some neat play from Egan-Riley and back finding Arlott-John down the right, and his cross finding Sea who finished with a smart side foot volley. Liverpool’s hopes were damaged further when they were reduced to 10 men after 27 minutes, Neil Lee seeing a straight red card for elbowing Dempsey Arlott-John. The punishment was immediate as Scarborough then added to their woes by scoring from the resulting free kick, Walsh finding Oduroh at the back stick, and when his header came back down off the crossbar Alberto De Matteis reacted the quickest to bundle over the rebound. The result was put to bed with a fourth just after the hour, Liam Walsh finding Forrest with his throw, the centre half this time opting to cushion his header down for Arlott-John. The winger found Ethan Galbraith in space, and the midfielder made no mistake as he fired beyond Rose into the bottom corner. Scarborough must now wait to see if they face Arsenal under 23’s or League One rivals MK Dons in the final.



Scarborough returned to top spot in League One as they followed up their impressive 4-0 victory against Liverpool Under-23’s with a narrow 1-0 win at home to Salford City, although they left it until very late to secure the 3 points. Scarborough came into the game without Alberto De Matteis, who had pulled his calf in the previous game, while Chris Mochrie remains out with a broken arm, meaning both first choice wingers were absent for this one. Scarborough edged the game, but it looked like it was going to end with a disappointing 0-0 draw before a moment of brilliance at the death from skipper Zak Brunt secured the win. Brunt won the ball in the middle of the park, before taking it forward himself, beating Isaac Rice in a one-on-one and then remaining cool to fire the ball beyond Joel Coleman and into the bottom corner. With Ipswich not in action, and Charlton losing to Grimsby, the late winner saw the Seadogs reclaim top spot. The one disappointment was that Egan Riley picked up a slight knock, meaning he now also joins the ever-growing injury list sadly.



Ipswich reclaimed top spot as Scarborough could only draw 0-0 away at Fleetwood. Without 3 key first teamers, Scarborough still had the better of the play and dominated the chances, with a total of 26 shots and 11 on target but were unable to break the deadlock. The visitors were clearly already frustrated when they lost Ben Knight after just half an hour, meaning the club are now without 3 wingers available, while Fleetwood, under the stewardship of Neil Lennon, seemed to opt for a physical encounter throughout, eventually amassing 6 bookings. The visitors went closest when substitute Mario Mandžukić grazed the top of the bar with his header, although Billy Crellin in the Fleetwood goal appeared to have it covered. With Ipswich hammering Blackpool 4-0, the East Anglian side moved above Scarborough on goal difference, with both sides having played 34 game, while Walsall and Charlton sit in 3rd and 4th respectively on 60 points as the battle for automatic promotion continues to heat up.



Scarborough dropped back outside the automatic promotion places as they fell 2-1 away at Rotherham United at the weekend. The Seadogs now find themselves back in 3rd place after the disappointing defeat, on what turned out to be a disappointing afternoon for the visitors. Scarborough came into the game without usual first teamers Egan-Riley, Fin Back, Mochrie and De Matteis after their recent spate of injuries, and the lack of harmony and fluidity within the team was easy to see early on, Rotherham going in front after 13 minutes. Williams played a one-two with Cole before finding himself in space on the right, and his well measured cross was superbly met by the acrobatic volley of Jordan Hugill to give the hosts the lead. Scarborough gave themselves some hope when they hit back on the half hour, Sea carrying the ball down the right before picking out Lazaro Giacinti with a cross field ball, and an error of judgement from Mitchell leaving the on-loan youngster with an easy finish. The hope was short lived, however, as Rotherham restored their lead 5 minutes later. Steve Hudson’s inswinging corner was met by a glancing header from Clark Robertson, Nathan Broome unable to react in time. The one saving for Scarborough was that the teams around them also struggled, Ipswich crashing to a 2-1 defeat at home to Shrewsbury, while Walsall could only draw 0-0 away at Forest Green. Charlton jumped back into top spot, doing their own chances no harm, with an emphatic 5-1 demolition of Fleetwood, the visitors having 2 men sent off, as anyone seeing their previous performance against Scarborough would not have been surprised. Charlton now sit a point clear, with Ipswich, Scarborough and Rotherham, courtesy of their victory, all level and Walsall a point further behind.



Manager’s Review
A mixed month with some impressive performances and some disappointing defeats, none more so than defeat at Rotherham last time out. Aside from the current spell of injuries, we seem to be really struggling to make our dominance count in games of late, something we desperately need to address if automatic promotion is a real target. That side, delighted to have booked a trip to Wembley in the EFL Trophy with 2 great performances, just need to carry that form into the league. Player of the month is again Ethan Galbraith, who continues to pull the strings in midfield.

March 2024

March began with more frustration for Scarborough as they dropped more points when they could only manage a 1-1 draw with Coventry City. The Seadogs came into this one as massive favourites, with Coventry languishing in 22nd in the league at kick-off. Scarborough were also able to welcome back Egan-Riley and Fin Back to the starting XI and began in dominant form. As has been the case so often in recent weeks, however, poor finishing saw them fail to turn their advantage into goals, and they eventually fell behind against the run of play 10 minutes into the second half, Pedro Ramos finding himself in space to finish as the defence were caught napping. The hosts looked to hit back immediately, pressing forward at every attack, and almost drew level in the 66th minute, as they hit both posts. A Walsh throw was glanced goalwards by Ethan Galbraith, Hein doing well to tip the ball onto the post, while Arlott-John then watched on in frustration as his follow-up rebounded of the inside of the other post before being cleared. 2 minutes later, they were level, however, a Forrest throw being flicked on by Fin Back and Dempsey Arlott-John making no mistake this time as he side-footed home. Elsewhere Charlton drew away at Sunderland, Ipswich drew away at QPR, Rotherham lost at Salford and Walsall lost against Scunthorpe, meaning another frustrating afternoon for the Seadogs as they could have made some real ground in the title race could they have made their dominance count.



Scarborough moved up to second after a 2-0 win against bottom club Forest Green, although it was far from plain sailing for the visitors who once again struggled to make their dominance count. The best chance in the first half was down to an individual bit of brilliance, as Nathan Broome found Alberto De Matteis with a searching goal kick, and the winger showed delightful balance to beat 3 men before dragging his shot just wide of the upright. The frustration continued in the second half, Scarborough threatening but without creating any clear-cut chances. The visitors shook things up, sending on Aminu Mohammed and Mario Mandžukić for the last 20+ minutes, and the change seemed to make a difference. The breakthrough eventually came from the spot, Ethan Galbraith shoved over in the area by Nathan McGinley. Mario Mandžukić stepped up, and with the keeper rooted to the spot the former Croatian international fired into the bottom corner. Scarborough made sure they’d be leaving Gloucestershire with all 3 points following a second in stoppage time. A Liam Walsh corner was glanced home by man of the match Callum Forrest, the on-loan centre-half now on 8 for the season. Ipswich currently sit top on goal difference, winning 3-0 against Wimbledon, while Charlton lost at home to Oxford and Walsall drew away at Blackpool.



Scarborough reclaimed top spot with a massive 3 points as they hosted Scunthorpe United at the weekend. The game saw Connor Stanley return to his former club, as he started on the right for Scunthorpe. Meanwhile, Lazaro Giacinti was handed a start up front for the hosts, Dimitri Sea dropping to the bench for this one. In a fairly even first half, both sides had chances, Liam Walsh going close for Scarborough while Marriott saw is effort superbly saved by Broome for the visitors. As Scarborough again began to look frustrated with a lack of potency in the final 3rd, Mandžukić was again sent on, as was Dimitri Sea, with Giacinti dropping to the wing. With 18 minutes left, the big Croatian made the breakthrough, Giacinti doing brilliantly on the right before his inch perfect cross was met by an equally perfect bullet header from the former Juventus man, Rory Watson soundly beaten in the Scunthorpe goal. With Ipswich only drawing away at Carlisle, Enrico Trotta with a late goal for the home side, the win saw the Seadogs leap back into pole position for the automatic promotion slots, 2 points clear of the East Anglians. Fellow contenders Walsall beat Charlton, while Rotherham beat Coventry 2-0 to stay firmly in the mix. The Carlisle point against Ipswich also saw them move into the play-off spots with just 6 games to go.



Scarborough held on to top spot as they came away from relegation threatened Blackpool with another 1-0 win. Blackpool found themselves in 20th coming into this game, while Scarborough were hoping to continue their recent form in what will be their final game of the month now, after the Charlton game due to take place next weekend was re-scheduled, with Scarborough having no fewer than 7 players away on international duty with their respective countries. Blackpool lined up very defensively for this one, with 2 holding midfielders in front of a back four, in an attempt to make it difficult for the visitors to break them down, and in large parts it worked. The crucial goal came 51 minutes in, Fin Back having time and space on the edge of the area to pick out Alberto De Matteis, and the winger produced a wonderful left foot finish into the bottom corner. Elsewhere Ipswich smashed Grimsby 4-1, Rotherham won 1-0 at Forest Green and QPR moved into fourth spot with a 1-0 win against Wimbledon, with Walsall losing and Charlton only managing a draw. Scarborough will now enter April with that midweek game against Charlton, and a proverbial six pointer, before then facing MK Dons back to back in the EFL Trophy then away in League One.





Manager’s Review
A near perfect month, both in terms of results on the pitch and having the time between games to focus on recovery and getting some of the injured players back for the run in. The draw with Coventry was slightly disappointing, especially given we were at home, but they are fighting for their lives, and many teams now seem to be trying to shut us down and hit us on the break, with some success.

Squeaky bum time, fingers crossed for more success though.

Tight at the top. Keep it up and you'll be promoted