Rotherham Road, the setting for today’s pre-season friendly between Grey Horse FC and Royston Pack Horse based in Monk Bretton, Barnsley, South Yorkshire with both teams playing their trades in the Barnsley Sunday League and the first time I’ve seen a game with both teams being called “Horse”.
Me and the Merry Miller have very kindly been invited by Royston Pack Horse via Twitter after last week’s game against Wombwell Town’s Sunday side so here we go again! An early start as it’s a 10:30am kick off! Over to West Melton for the Merry Miller and now for the short journey over to Monk Bretton which sees us here at the ground with 10 minutes to go before kick off… With one team here and no nets or corner flags up… Early birds?
The other team is finally here and it’s now 10:40am… Maybe it is an 11am kick off? 5 minutes later and here come the corner flags and the nets! We have a game!
Kick Off! 2 minutes in and Grey Horse have it down the right, it’s crossed in, number 7 is there at the near post… Keeper gets his leg to it! Royston clear.
Great to see Ian and Ash here at the game today! It’s been a while! Officer Kizz has now rocked up as well! A slow start to the game but it’s 19 minutes gone now and Royston have it on the right, it’s played into the box and here’s Reagan Sayles at the far post… He’s headed wide! 1 minute later and Royston play forward again, the volley comes in from the edge of the box… It’s off the post! It comes to nothing as Grey Horse clear.
31 minutes now and Grey Horse have a free kick in midfield, it’s lumped into the middle, flicked on and here’s number 16 stretching for it… He’s put it over! 6 minutes later and Grey Horse play down the right wing, number 15 has it and he plays it across to number 11 who shoots… Blocked! Royston clear. 0-0 at half time here in what has been an underwhelming game so far unfortunately…
We’ve got a ball… Kizz in goal and me with the ball on the spot, what happened next…?
Second half, 51st minute and Royston play down the right, it’s played across to Reagan Sayles and he shoots… He’s dragged it wide! Big chance! 57th minute and Royston give the ball away just outside their own box, Grey Horse’s number 15 has it and he makes space for the shot… It’s just wide!
64 minutes on the watch and Royston come forward, it falls to Reece Banks who brings it down and shoots from 20 yards out… BANG!! What a strike!! Arrowed into the top corner!! 0-1!!
82 minutes now and Grey Horse’s number 32 wins the ball back in the Royston half, he goes for goal from 25 yards out… Good diving save from the Royston keeper who tips it wide for a corner, in it comes… Keeper claims.
4 minutes later and Royston play down the right wing, it’s played across to Reece Banks who beats his man and shoots… Good save by the keeper! It’s a corner, in it comes… Cleared. 88th minute and Royston have a corner again, Reagan Sayles whips it in… Copper Brown with the header… It’s in!! Royston have another and that should be the win for them!! 0-2!
Into the 90th minute now and Royston have the ball on the left, it’s played to Aiden Snape who plays it into the middle, Royston and Grey Horse try to get to it, they miss it… It’s bounced in!!! Keeper flat footed and it’s 3 for Royston!! 0-3!! That is the last action of the game as the Referee blows for full time.
FT: Grey Horse 0-3 Royston Pack Horse
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – Less than 10 spectators again sadly…
- The Ground: 2/10 – A fairly standard Sunday league setup with nothing to really stand out sadly. A little backdrop of Barnsley town centre and the grass is a little overgrown making it difficult for Referees to see the lines on the pitch…
- Expense: 10/10 – Free game!
- Overall Experience: 5/10 – Great to see everyone today but a very underwhelming game sadly…
18/40