Woodend Road, home of Lower Hopton AFC based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire and played their trade in the Yorkshire Amateur League… But unfortunately in recent times, the men’s first team have folded… But not the Ladies! They play in the West Riding County Women’s League Premier Division.
During the 2020/21 season and my adventures in the Yorkshire Amateur League, this was a ground that I had identified as one I would like to have seen but sadly it never happened and now the men’s team are no more… For the time being hopefully! The Women’s team are going strong on the other hand but if I want to see this ground then I need to act quickly just in case of any other bad news within the club. Lower Hopton vs Yorkshire Amateur Women and I will be there! Let’s go!
First part of the Sunday double done at Brampton Rovers and now for the drive to Mirfield. Onto the M1 and onto the A637, some scenic views later and here I am at Lower Hopton with 10 minutes to spare! In we go and here we go!
Kick Off! 6 minutes in and it’s a free kick to Lower Hopton from around 25 yards, number 6 takes… Straight into the wall and Yorkshire clear.
20th minute and Yorkshire play it forward to number 13, she gets into the box and shoots… Good defending! It’s a corner, in it comes… Number 13 gets to it… Keeper claims! Just not enough on that sadly for Yorkshire…
It’s a slow game here with not much between the 2 teams in all fairness, Lower Hopton are having more of the ball but Yorkshire are getting it forward to number 13 a lot and she looks dangerous… 36 minutes now and Yorkshire play it through to number 13 again and she’s through on goal, she rounds the keeper… But the keeper gets to it and claims it. Big chance!
41 minutes on the watch and Yorkshire play it to number 13 again who’s through and in acres of space, she shoots on the edge of the box… Straight at the keeper! What a waste!
Right on half time now and Lower Hopton play it forward, Yorkshire win it but they lose it immediately and it comes for number 10 who shoots first time from 25 yards… Over the keeper… AND IN! Brilliant strike! Lower Hopton have the lead here! 1-0! That is the last action of the half and I’m sure it’s changed the team talk for Yorkshire Amateur…
Second half, 51 minutes now and Yorkshire’s number 13 is through again, she gets into the box and shoots… Just wide! Lower Hopton beware here!
4 minutes later and it’s a corner for Lower Hopton, in it comes… It’s loose… It falls to number 11 at the near post to shoot… Through the crowd of players… Oooooh! Tipped wide! Good save by the keeper there! Corner again, in it comes… Cleared.
62nd minute and it’s a Goal Kick for Lower Hopton, it comes to Yorkshire and it’s played to number 14 who shoots just outside the box… Just over! Yorkshire are getting closer…
Great to meet a fan here who’s daughter is playing for Lower Hopton. Some cracking stories of Leeds United’s European Cup run in 1975 and attending the final!! A FANA Fan Podcast story?
74th minute and Lower Hopton play down the right with number 8, she plays it to number 10 on the edge of the box to shoot… Straight at the keeper!
2 minutes later and it’s Yorkshire down the left now, it’s played to number 7 on the edge of the box to shoot… OH! I thought that was in! It’s just over! So close again for Yorkshire!
89th minute and it’s becoming very tense here! Lower Hopton play down the left, it’s played in, number 10 gets to it at the near post… She’s put it wide! That should’ve been the game there for Lower Hopton!
90+ minutes here now and Yorkshire play it forward into the box for number 15 on the right in space, is this the moment here…? NO! Great block there by Lower Hopton and it deflects over and wide for a corner… No? It’s a Goal Kick… Definite corner there and Yorkshire have every right to be mad at the Referee there!
90+ minutes again and Lower Hopton break down the left, they drive into the box, number 25 gets to it and shoots… Keeper gets a touch on it… But it’s not enough and Lower Hopton have sealed the deal now!! Unfair on Yorkshire I think but that is football for you! 2-0!
Play goes on… And on… And on… But we do finally hear the final whistle!
FT: Lower Hopton Ladies 2-0 Yorkshire Amateur Women
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – A bit of noise by spectators today.
- The Ground: 8/10 – This is a beautiful setting! Very scenic and I love the trees that surround this place it really is glorious! One of the best I’ve seen for this level!! A unique stand as well!
- Expense: 9/10 – £40 in fuel but free to watch and that was a very close game in all fairness.
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – That was a great game today compared to some of the runaway games in recent weeks! Great to hear the stories of the man next to me as well!
28/40