Kirkby Road, home of Barwell FC based in Leicestershire and play their trade in Step 3 of the non league pyramid in the Southern League Premier Division Central. Nicknamed the “Canaries” as they play in Yellow and Green. Today they face Needham Market in the League!! Let’s hope for a cracker!!
The train from Sheffield to Leicester, 1 hour passes and here we are! Haven’t been here for a while… Over to the taxi rank and I am delighted to be joined by Hoyland John today!! The first time we have seen each other since filming the Podcast!! Barwell is his adopted team since moving to Leicestershire! Even more reason for me to come here today!! A 30 minute drive later and here we are at the ground!! But with time to kill, time to have a refreshment or two in Barwell Social Club! And finish watching Man City against Wolves! Man City win and that game is over… Time for our game now! £10 to get in here! Thanks for saving me Hoyland John!
Kick Off! 13 minutes in and Needham Market play it out wide to the right to Jake Dye, he cuts inside on the edge of the box and let’s fly… Deflected… Side netting! Corner, in it comes… Cleared by Barwell. 17 minutes now and Barwell play it out to the left wing, Tristan Dunkley picks it up, he plays it across… It evades everyone but Barwell have it still on the right and it’s played back into the middle… Ben Stephens with the volley… Keeper saves!
22 minutes on the clock and Needham lose the ball in the Barwell half and they break forward, it’s played to Tristan Dunkley who drives forward, he gets into the box and shoots… It’s hit the post!! It’s a goal kick for Needham. 1 minute later and Barwell play forward down the right flank, it’s crossed in, Barwell scramble it and it falls to Harry Bower to shoot… Keeper saves! Corner, in it comes… Needham clear.
29th minute and Needham play forward and they get it out wide to the left, Ben Fowkes gets it just outside the box, he makes space and he goes for goal… Off the post!! 39 minutes now and Needham come forward again, the ball is played to Callum Sturgess around 30 yards out, he goes for goal… Straight at the keeper… Oh wait! He’s lost it… It’s squirmed in… The keeper doesn’t get his body behind the ball and Needham have the lead here… 0-1!
43 minutes on the clock and Needham are pressing for a second now, they have it down the right, it’s crossed in low, Ben Fowkes runs in and stretches for it… AND HE GETS IT!!! Needham lead by 2!! They have hit Barwell when they were down and it’s 0-2!! And that’s how it remained at half time.
Second half, a poor game so far this half, will it change? 55th minute and Barwell have a free kick about 30 yards out, Ben Stephens steps up… Keeper saves! 68th minute now and Needham have a corner, in it comes… Headed away but only back to Needham, they work it back forward and get it out to the left in the box, it’s played across to Luke Ingram… He gets his goal!!! 3 for Needham and surely 3 points for Needham!! 0-3!!
73 minutes now and Barwell come forward, they play it to Ben Stephens on the edge of the box, he shoots… AND SCORES!!! Great finish! And Barwell get one back!! 1-3!! 79 minutes played and here come Barwell again who have woken up an awful lot since scoring, a through ball is played to Harry Bower who chases it, the keeper comes for it… Bower gets there first and gets around him… HE FINISHES!!! Barwell have got another!!! The grand stand finish is on!!! 2-3!! Can Barwell pull this off?
87 minutes now and Barwell are chasing the equaliser now!! They have it down the left, it’s played across to Lucas Powell, he takes it towards the edge of the box… He goes down… The Referee waves it away… Barwell fans not happy!! I thought it was a Penalty myself… The Referee has blown his whistle here… He’s given a dive! Yellow Card for Powell… Harsh I think!
4 minutes of stoppage time here! Can Barwell fins that third goal? They pile on the pressure on a tired looking Needham Market team. About 90+3 minutes on the clock and here come Barwell down the left, Powell beats his man and plays it across low, Tristan Dunkley is there… He’s hit it wide… That was the chance! Goal kick taken… The final whistle goes! A great win for Needham! A poor result for Barwell but the fans can show their appreciation nonetheless!
Off back to Leicester now to see Broseph for a drink or two in the Locker Room, and for the Norwich vs Manchester United game! Maybe a game of Darts as well perhaps…
FT: Barwell 2-3 Needham Market
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – Not any singing or chanting today but definitely a community spirit here!
- The Ground: 7/10 – A lovely little facility!! Plenty of stands on the one side and plenty of character to go with it!!
- Expense: 10/10 – £10 for a great game with drama and entertainment value!! Thank you very much!
- Overall Experience: 9.5/10 – A fantastic day with Hoyland John!! Great to see him again and hopefully again soon! A very friendly club as well! The only thing missing was that equaliser…
28.5/40