Frecheville Sports & Social Club, Silkstone Road, home of Birley FC based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and play in the Premier Division of the Sheffield Imperial Sunday League.
Formerly the home of Frecheville Community AFC who played at Step 6 level for a short period in the Northern Counties East League but were mostly playing the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League for their existence. They also merged with Davys FC and became Frecheville Davys in the club’s latter years before eventually becoming just Davys. Sadly the story did not have a happy ending as Davys folded back in 2020… Will they ever come back?
Today, Frecheville hosts Sunday League football and is the home of Birley FC who last season were crowned Champions of the Sheffield Imperial Sunday League Division One and have gained promotion to the Premier Division and today they face Brunsmeer AJW in their second game of the season. This is a ground I have put top of my Sunday League list! Let’s hope it doesn’t disappoint!
I hope it doesn’t disappoint the Merry Miller who will be joining me for today’s game! Over to West Melton to get him and now back through Rotherham and into Birley with about 20 minutes to kick off. The teams are ready to go! Let’s hope Sunday League is the winner today!
Kick Off! It’s a very slow start to the game here… Have the teams enjoyed their Saturday nights a little too much this weekend? 22 minutes in and Brunsmeer’s number 8 drives forward, he lobs his man brilliantly and gets past him and into the box, he gets past another defender, he gets past the goalkeeper… Sensational… He puts it on a plate for number 19… Who finishes!! But what about that from number 8!! Fantastic work!! Brunsmeer lead at Frecheville! 0-1!
3 minutes later and Birley have a corner, in it comes… It’s number 10 at the back post with the volley… He’s sliced it wide… Chance!
27th minute and Brunsmeer have a corner now, in that one comes… They get a shot at goal… It’s off the woodwork… Birley get it clear. Close!
32 minutes on the watch and Birley play a long ball forward, it’s headed up by the Brunsmeer defender and Birley’s number 11 will battle the keeper for the loose ball… They’ve collided and number 11 rolls it in… But the Referee has given a free kick to Brunsmeer… Number 11 is not happy! No goal!
35 minutes now and Brunsmeer play down the left, number 19 gets into the box and he plays it across for number 12 who controls and shoots… But he’s dragged his shot wide… He’s got to hit the target from there for me! That should be 2!
39th minute and Brunsmeer play forward again, number 19 finds himself through, Birley want Offside… He’s in and he shoots… Keeper makes the save!
45th minute now and Birley have a free kick just outside the box, number 14 takes… Off the wall! It comes to Brunsmeer’s number 4 and controls… HANDBALL! The Referee blows… Was that inside the box…? No! It’s another free kick just outside the box for Birley, number 14 goes for power this time… Blocked! Brunsmeer clear and that is that for the first half with the score at 1-0 to Brunsmeer.
Second half, 54th minute and Brunsmeer come forward, number 19 is played through in the box on the left, he shoots… Saved!
62 minutes gone and Brunsmeer play down the right, it’s crossed in, it comes to number 10 who gets it onto his left and shoots… Ooooooh! Just wide!
1 minute later and Brunsmeer down the left this time, it’s crossed, oh and it’s a free header for number 10… OH! He’s missed it… Big chance! Brunsmeer getting frustrated with the missed chances now!
67 minutes now and Birley have a free kick from about 30 yards out, number 11 will take, he steps up… He goes for goal… OH!! Sensational!!! Brilliant free kick struck into the bottom corner and Birley are level!!
3 minutes later and Brunsmeer will not go quietly, the shot comes in from range… It’s come off Brunsmeer’s number 8 and he’s in… And scores! But no! The Referee has given Offside! No goal! Birley are reprieved!
79th minute and Birley break forward from a Brunsmeer attack, it’s played out to the right, it’s played to number 7 running into the box, it bobbles up nicely for him and he SHOOTS… Brilliant save by the keeper! Vital save!
81 minutes now and Brunsmeer come forward again, it’s played to number 11 on the right who gets into the box, he cuts inside onto his left foot and he shoots… AND HE SCORES!! Brunsmeer lead again!! They’ve deserved a second goal!! 1-2!!
Can Birley find an equaliser again…? Play goes on… No they can’t! A big win for Brunsmeer!!
FT: Birley FC 1-2 Brunsmeer AJW
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – Dead unfortunately…
- The Ground: 8.5/10 – This is the best Sunday League setup I’ve seen! Albeit just! I’d say it’s just a bit better than Queens United in it’s own way but Sunday League with a stand is just so rare! Picturesque views and a brilliant view from the bar just like at Blidworth. This would be a great ground for a Saturday side! I hope Frecheville’s football loving locals give it another go one day!
- Expense: 10/10 – £0!!!!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – Great time with the Merry Miller again! I’m delighted to finally tick this ground off! The game could have had a bit more drama though…
25.5/40