Swallownest (07-01-2017)

Swallownest 1 - 0 Frecheville (Sheffield and Hallamshire County), Saturday 7 January 2017

Tea £1
Free travel
Free entry

As most of my recent blog entries are starting with a reminiscence of things past, I may as well start this one in the same way. I have visited Swallownest twice before - one in January 2013 and again in December 2015. On the latter occasion I managed to scrape the side of our car on a post when reversing - a lesson to look where you are going even in the dark! Today I opted for the 45 minute walk from home.

Since my last visit, the refreshments and entrance hut has been given a lick of paint, and now looks in good nick. The section of old terracing along one side was out of bounds though some spectators ignored the warnings anyway. The club are again looking to progress to the NCEL next year so no doubt they will be looking to put in seating and other facilities required for that level.

On the pitch this was a top-of-the-table clash with nearby Frecheville, who I saw a few weeks ago. This was a tight but entertaining match. Frecheville - in orange and black - rattled the crossbar early on with an effort from their midfield, whilst at the other end 4 and 9 both had shots solidly saved by the away keeper. The home number 9 then saw a goal-bound shot cleared off the line shortly before half-time. It was a solid battle but with relatively few clear-cut chances.

After a cup of tea (bringing my day's outlay to £1!) I picked a spot for the second period. Swallownest began to dominate the game, and early shots from 8 and 10 were again foiled by the increasingly busy away keeper. At the other end, where Frecheville were increasingly limited to counterattacks, they did forge the odd chance, with 4 firing just wide, and then 17 blasting over from a good position. The pressure on the away side began to crank up at the 'Swal Siro', and they were pretty much camped inside the away half for long periods. But there was still no goal. When 4's free kick went wide it seemed that this would end in stalemate. 

But there was just time for a crucial goal. Swallownest launched the ball into the box again, and it was half-cleared away, before a loose ball fell to number 16 who rifled in a low strike to break the deadlock. The players and the large crowd of fans at the home end were delighted, and there were jubilant celebrations at the final whistle. This was a key win over title rivals, and gave Swallownest a commanding points cushion at the top of the division.