The Fairfax Plant Hire Stadium, home of Selby Town based in North Yorkshire and compete in Step 6 of the non league pyramid in the Northern Counties East League Division One. It’s 5 games in 4 days for me!! Am I getting rusty yet…? AM I HECK!!! Me and Match Days Joe are off on another adventure!! Tonight it’s Selby Town vs Swallownest FC!! Let’s go!
Off to Doncaster once again! I’m going to know this place more than my own hometown at this rate! Match Days Joe has arrived and off we go! 40 minutes drive and a few jokes later and here we are!
£5 to watch this NCEL tie! Oh baby! Kick Off! 10 minutes in and Selby win a free kick in a dangerous position at around 20 yards out, it’s number 9 to step up for Selby, he curls it around the wall… AND INTO THE NET!!!! Brilliant free kick!! 1-0!!! Great start for Selby!
It’s a poor game with little to shout about so far but at least we’ve got a goal! 29th minute and Swallownest come forward now, they drive to the edge of the box, a chipped through ball to number 9 who’s running in… He can’t control it and the keeper collects.
32 minutes on the clock and Selby work it forward, number 7 gets it and he gets into the box on the left, he goes for the near post… Wide. 2 minutes later and Swallownest have a throw in on the left, it’s thrown down the left and Swallownest have it, it’s crossed in low and here’s number 9… He’s blazed it over! Selby fans loved that one!
36th minute and Swallownest play a long ball forward, they win the flick on and here’s number 10 on the edge of the box and he shoots… Wide. Swallownest are starting to press for the equaliser but they would not find it before half time.
Delighted to meet Joe Gibbons here at the ground tonight, creator of his own blog: Gibbo’s 92. Second half, 48th minute and Swallownest have a corner, in it comes… headed away but Swallownest get it and play it back in, number 10 has beaten the offside trap and he’s got a chance here… Good save by the keeper! Corner again, in it comes again… Headed out by Selby, Swallownest retrieve it and play it out wide to the right, crossed in low, here’s number 10 again… Keeper saves!
1 minute later and Selby come forward now, they get it on the left, in comes the cross… Cleared by Swallownest but only to number 9 on the edge of the box, he goes for goal… AND HE SCORES!!!! It’s 2 for him and 2 for Selby!! 2-0!
56 minutes now and Selby play a long ball forward, it comes for Selby’s number 11 who gets into the box, down he goes… Referee waves it away… Selby fans not happy! Looked a definite Penalty for me that!
The game has fizzled out with little for both teams, Swallownest not pressing for the equaliser as good as they were at the end of the first half respectively. 72 minutes now and Selby’s number 2 has the ball on the right, he drives forward and he gets into the box, he goes for the lob… It’s landed just wide.
Into the 90th minute now and Selby’s number 7 wins the ball back from Swallownest on the edge of the Swallownest box, he drives across the edge of the box and he shoots… Deflected out for a corner, it’s played short… Referee blows for full time. 3 points for Selby!
FT: Selby Town 2-0 Swallownest
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2.5/10 – A little bit of noise by a group of Selby fans behind the goal but overall you could definitely tell there was a crowd there tonight.
- The Ground: 9/10 – It’s a really nice ground! More like a top Step 4 borderline Step 3 ground for me! 2 stands behind each goal! Plenty of character with the name on the back of the big stand behind one goal and one of the nicest clubhouses you will see at Step 6!
- Expense: 7/10 – £5 is a great price for any game but it was a poor game really with little drama.
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – I’m happy to have done the ground! Great to meet Joe Gibbons tonight and great to see Match Days Joe once again!!
26.5/40
I have inlaws who live near Selby, so I’ve been to that ground a few times and love it. The refurbished clubhouse is quite swish. I’ve been to Tadcaster Albion’s ground but also planning to visit Goole and North Ferriby, so been using your blog as research (the micropub in Goole looks like a top tip as I was led to believe there weren’t a lot of real ale offerings there), and as a result have added Brigg Town! Despite now living in Cardiff for 20 plus years I used to go to a few Wrexham away trips, but with a young family, not many convenient away trips ‘locally’ and generally losing interest in the National League, I’ve turned to lower level football. The only ‘big’ ground i fancy is Exeter, which I see you’ve also visited.
Hiya mate! Lower League football is the best!! You won’t regret visiting any of those grounds for sure! That bar in Goole had some good selections but more importantly, outstanding service! Thank you for getting in touch and enjoy your visits!