Fryston Welfare, home of Fryston AFC based in Castleford, West Yorkshire and play their trade in the Wakefield Sunday League. One ground that I was recommended to visit by Graham Ford who I met at Stanley United back in January 2021 and the day has finally come to make the trip up the motorway to see them face Shepherds Arms! Bring it on!!
My 4th Sunday League visit but it is another team that used to have a big Saturday setup and the club has recently fielded another Saturday team in the Wakefield Saturday League but today its the Sunday team I will be covering!
A few of my groundhopper friends have visited this ground including: Graham Kenworthy, Kizz and the Merry Miller! The following photos show how the ground has evolved over the years:
An early start sees me onto Sheffield Parkway and then onto the M1, onto the M18 and onto the A1 which sees me here with 20 minutes to go before kick off… But there’s no one here… Don’t tell me its been called off at the last minute… 5 minutes later and here come Fryston! Phew! A reminder that we are watching Sunday League football today! Into the ground I go and what’s this…? A new stand!! Looks like the Merry Miller timed his visit wrong…
Kick Off! 7 minutes in and Shepherds Arms come forward, ball played to number 8 and he’s in… He’s poked it wide! Big chance! 13th minute and Shepherds come forward again, number 10 has it on the edge of the box and shoots… Blocked! It comes back to him to shoot again… The keeper tips it over! Corner, in it comes… It’s headed behind for another, in it comes again… Headed off the line, it’s a scramble… It comes to number 10… He shoots wide!
20 minutes on the clock and Shepherds play in a long throw in from the left, it’s headed away by Fryston but only to number 4 on the volley… It’s off the post! It comes to number 8 who shoots… Over! 2 minutes later and Shepherds play a ball through to number 8, onside, keeper comes… It’s goes through him and number 8 stretches for it… But it rolls wide… 28 minutes played and Fryston come forward, it’s played out wide to number 2 on the right, he plays it in, keeper catches… But oh wait… He’s spilled it and it’s gone in! 1-0!
35 minutes now, shepherds play the ball into the middle from the left, it’s flicked on to number 10 and he’s in… He finishes! 1-1! Great finish there! 3 minutes later and Fryston play it forward, played to number 11 on the edge of the box to the right, he sets himself and shoots… WHAT A HIT!! 2-1!! Eat that!! That is how it stayed at half time.
Second half, 49th minute and its a corner for Shepherds, it’s whipped in… Number 10 wins the header… Saved! It comes to number 8 to the right who sets himself and shoots… Just over! 5 minutes later and Shepherds play forward, it’s played to number 8 in the box to shoot… The keeper parries it away for a corner, in it comes… Headed away, it falls to number 11 who strikes it… He’s struck Fryston number 10 in the face and play is stopped. A nasty nose bleed sees his game finish early… 63rd minute and shepherds free kick, taken quickly to number 8 in the box, he’s hacked down… It’s a Penalty! A clear 10/10 Penalty there for me! It’s number 8 who takes… And he scores! 2-2!
73 minutes now and its a corner for Fryston, in it comes… Headed away, they get it back and play it back to the left, crossed in again, keeper punches, it comes to number 3 at the back post who cheats it down… But shepherds clear the danger. 4 minutes pass and its a free kick to Shepherds arms on the left, crossed in, number 8 gets to it… It’s just wide.
Into the 80th minute now and Shepherds come forward and play it to number 8, he’s beaten the offside trap again, he sets himself and shoots… Deflected off the defender… Off the bar! Fryston clear. 85th minute and Shepherds play a ball through to number 10 who’s in… Keeper saves! Important save there!
88 minutes on the clock now and Shepherds play it out to number 10, he plays it back, he gives it to number 8 running into the box to shoot… Keeper saves again! The 90th minute now and shepherds come again, number 10 is played through… The keeper clatters into him! It’s just outside the box and a free kick is given, he was the last man there… What is the decision…? Yellow card! He’s a lucky boy there for me! Free kick to Shepherds, number 10 steps up… And hits it over! Into stoppage time now and its a corner for Shepherds, it’s whipped in… Headed away… The Referee blows for full time! Game over!
FT: Fryston 2-2 Shepherds Arms
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – A fair few here today watching their local Sunday League club! Fantastic! Not any chanting but you could tell there was a crowd here today!!
- The Ground: 5/10 – For Sunday League, this is fantastic!! I would have loved to have seen the old stand but the new one is decent!! A great facility with the Rugby pitches as well! A good ground all in all!
- Expense: 10/10 – A free game means only one thing!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – A fantastic competitive game here today in a ground I have been recommended!! I’m really glad I did it in the end!!
26/40
Pleased for you., making it to fryston mate, pity we both didnt reall see it in its heyday, but nevertheless, it can still be appreciated, keep up the good work that you are doing
Loved it mate! Thank you for recommending it to me!! Hopefully see you again at a ground again soon!