Kelham Island FC

Hillsborough Arena, home of Kelham Island FC based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire and as of next season will play their trade in the Sheffield & District Fair Play League Division Two after the team’s promotion from the third division last season.

Today they face a new team named FC Wanderers who have recently formed and are looking to be placed in the Fair Play league next season so this will be a grading game for them. A very short journey for me this week compared to last week’s trip to Wales as I jump on the tram to Hillsborough and the short walk over to the Arena which took in total about 20 minutes! 4 hours 30 minutes last week… How many grounds do I have left that are that close I wonder?

FC Wanderers are out warming up and now here come Kelham Island! Very nice to chat with one of the Kelham teams grandfather here today! Looks like me and him will be making up the crowd today!

Kick Off! 6 minutes in and Kelham play it out left to number 2 who plays it to number 14 running into the box from the left and he shoots… Good save by the keeper! 3 minutes later and Kelham play a long ball forward for number 14 to chase, keeper comes… 14 gets there first and he’s been tripped by the keeper… It rolls wide… Referee says Penalty! Good decision there for me unless the ball rolls in of course. Number 14 steps up… Oh it’s a panenka! Very cheeky! 1-0!

Straight from kick off and FC Wanderers play a long ball forward, number 10 gets onto it and he’s through in the box on the left, he shoots… And it’s there!!! Just like that!! That’s how you respond to going a goal down!! 1-1!!

17 minutes on the clock and Wanderers have a free kick in midfield, it’s lumped forward towards number 8 in the box on the right to chase and he goes for the volley… Over! The game has slowed down significantly with both teams having a fair share of possession.

I’m now joined by Ben for the first time since that 0-0 draw with Ilkley Town! Great to be back! 33rd minute and Kelham play forward, it’s worked into the box to number 14 and he beats the keeper to the ball and is past him… And he rolls it into the empty net!! 2-1!! Almost immediately after Ben’s arrival!!

39th minute and Kelham play a long ball out to the left, number 8 gets onto it and he runs into the box and he shoots… Keeper saves!! No more goals at half time with the score at 2-1 to Kelham Island.

Second half, 48th minute and Kelham win it back in midfield, it’s played through to number 9 and he goes for the toe poke just inside the box… Straight at the keeper! 3 minutes later and Kelham’s number 18 has the ball on the left wing, he gets into the box and he goes for goal… Tipped onto the bar by the keeper and Wanderers clear, good save!

1 minute later and Kelham play down the left again, it’s played across low to number 24 who sets it up for number 8… He leaves it for number 15… Who finishes!! That’s been coming! 3-1!

55 minutes now and Wanderers play a long ball forward, Kelham defender gets there first and tries to clear but slices it back to the keeper… Referee blows… He’s given an indirect free kick to Wanderers for a pass back! That’s a poor decision there for me! Kelham are very unlucky there! Wanderers didn’t even appeal for it but it’s given! The shot comes in… Keeper saves and Kelham clear! Justice!

66th minute and Kelham play down the left wing again, played across low, it’s fallen into the path of number 8… It’s there!! It’s 4-1!! That should be that now!!

3 minutes later and Wanderers play a long ball forward, keeper comes… It’s bounced over him and Wanderer’s number 14 is there… And he scores… A howler from the keeper unfortunately for him and maybe it’s not all over yet! 4-2!

74 minutes gone now and Wanderers play down the right wing with number 14, he plays it across the middle, number 8 is there… It’s a goal!! 4-3!! Is there a grandstand finish on the horizon here!?

77th minute and Kelham play forward now, it’s played to number 14 on the edge of the box, he gets it onto his right foot and goes for goal… OH! He’s hit the inside of the post and it rolls agonizingly wide for a goal kick… So close! Is that the luck that Wanderers need for an equaliser here?

Kelham looking comfortable in the game as it carries on and are looking the more likely to score next in the game should there be a goal. 88th minute and Kelham play down the right hand side, it’s played across to number 11 who shoots… Off the bar! He gets it back for the rebound… It’s headed out for a corner, in it comes… Cleared by Wanderers.

Into the 90th minute and Wanderers hit it long… Can they do it!? They win it and it’s played to number 14 running in from the left… No Offside here! Number 14 shoots… OH! It’s a great save!! The ball is loose… Number 14 can’t keep it in and Kelham are safe for now. Kelham play forward now, played to number 11 in the box and he shoots… Over! The Referee blows for full time! What a game that was! FC Wanderers giving a very good account for themselves today!

FT: Kelham Island 4-3 FC Wanderers

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 1/10 – Less than 10 spectators here today I’d say…
• The Ground: 4.5/10 – It’s a very nice setup at Hillsborough Arena! A lovely backdrop of Regent Court flats from the one side with the trees at all angles and a nice view of Hillsborough Park and Hillsborough Library surrounded by the trees which was very nice for Ben as the trees meant that we couldn’t see Hillsborough Stadium! The pitch is also very well kept which earns an extra half point from me!
• Expense: 10/10 – Free game!
• Overall Experience: 9/10 – Great to see Ben once again! Lovely to meet the man before the game as well and what a game it turned out to be here!

24.5/40