Everest (28-04-2013)

Everest 1 - 1 Eccleshill Red Rose (Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior Football League)

This game in the Windsor Food Service Sheffield & Hallamshire Premier division (got that?) had the kickoff time of 6pm, which was a nice idea with evenings getting longer and lighter as we moved towards Summer. This was in complete contrast to the cup game at Swallownest which kicked off at 1.30pm on a Saturday. Everest's ground was located at the back of what used to be Handsworth Working Men's Club, and was now the Holme Lea pub. Confusingly, Handsworth FC themselves don't play in Handsworth, but actually in the Darnall area. The ground was as I expected, with a blue rope marking the perimeter of the pitch, and a small set of changing rooms away to the left. I arrived bang on 6pm, but with my luck the game kicked off later than expected at 6.30 - I had visions of playing in the dark if the game wasn't done by sunset!

Everest, playing in blue, looked to dominate their opponents from the start, with no 11 put through, before the Eccleshill goalie saved with his legs. Shortly after, the Everest no 6 hit the post with a clean shot from his right foot. The chances continued, with 11 firing straight at the keeper from close range, and 8 taking a long shot straight at the keeper. Slowly, Eccleshill started to get into the game, their no 11 taking a long range shot which flew just wide of the post, before their no 9 clipped a shot straight at the Everest goalie. Just before halftime, Everest's no 9 had a header saved.

The second half was as evenly matched as the first, though I did sense that Everest looked like the better team. Against the run of play, Eccleshill scored with no 8 chipping over the goalie in a one-on-one situation, the ball dropping into the top left corner of the net. They threatened to score again, with the no 7 sending a free kick dipping just over the crossbar. No 10 shot low to the keeper's left, with only a flying save keeping it out. Everest responded to the attacks with more aggression and direction, number 6 hitting a stinging shot straight at the keeper. The momentum swung back into Everest's favour when they won a penalty after the Eccleshill no 5 clearly hand-balled inside the area.  It was becoming windy and wild, and I wondered if this would cause the penalty taker a problem. He had no such difficulties and planted a low shot into the corner of the net - a good penalty well-executed. Final score 1-1 and a deserved point for both sides.

Chorley (02-03-2013)

Chorley 1 - 0 Matlock


Chorley had long been on my list of grounds to visit in Lancashire, being one of the grounds which would have been faily accessibly in my university days in Liverpool. I never made it to Victory Park back then. I do recall a  2007 game at Cantilever Park between Warrington and Chorley in the NWCL, when the visitors did everything but score, and came away with a goalless draw for their efforts.

From Sheffield, Chorley was fairly straightforward, involving a train across to Manchester before taking a First train north from Piccadilly. For once, the ground was conveniently located close to the station, barely a 10 minute walk I discovered. This was a pleasant change from the long walks to Liversedge and Gresley! I instantly liked Victory Park, for a start, the brick walls round the turnstiles were painted in club colours, with the club name painted outside. The ground was set back from the turnstiles, and had a seated main stand on the far long side, with sheltered terraces at either end behind the goals. The terraces to my right went back a long way - possibly 15-20 deep, and gave an excellent view of the ground, and the impressive looking main stand.

The match pretty much conformed with my expectations based on league positions. Matlock were safe in a lower mid table position, while Chorley stood in mid-table, outside the playoffs and unlikely to get there. The first half was rough and direct, with late tackles flying in all over the pitch. Matlock had some skilful players, particularly 9 & 11, who caused the Chorley defence some difficulties. There were no real chances of note, and the most significant incident was a squaring up of players after a particularly brash and reckless challenge. These were two fairly evenly matched sides, and it had a draw written all over it - as well as several bookings and red cards!

The second half saw more opportunities, with Chorley hitting the side netting with a free kick, before a Matlock free kick at the other end looped dangerously onto the crossbar. The game was increasingly fractured by free kicks (given legitimately I have to say) and poor passing, with the entertainment provided by heckling of the Matlock goalkeeper by the home crowd. This was heading for a draw until the 88th minute, when the Chorley striker took the ball out to the right, before swiping his foot through the ball, which flew into the top corner of the Matlock goal. All the booing of Matlock was forgotten as the home fans celebrated a win in what was a bruising mid-table encounter. Back to the train station for me to catch the 17.24 train to Manchester - it made a comfortable change to have a straightforward journey between the ground and station. A ground in Lancashire ticked off too - that was the first one in a while!