Woolley Colliery Road, home of North Gawber Colliery based in Darton, South Yorkshire. They play their trade in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division but tonight play their third supplementary cup match against Hepworth United. Their last two games both finished 0-0 so let’s hope that doesn’t follow suit! Surely third time lucky right?
Plenty of time to kill after finishing work, so time to get to Darton and have a little stroll. A quick pit stop at the Rose & Crown pub and what a lovely bar it is! If you’re a groundhopper and need to visit North Gawber, have a pre-match drink in here! Lovely staff, lovely bar!! But the clock is ticking and time for the football!! I got there in plenty of time for kick off unlike at the weekend… Free entry for this cup tie! Yabba Dabba DOO!
Kick Off! “It’s great to have football back again pal!” Said by the North Gawber management staff to me as I was walking past. “It sure is pal!” My response. You never see managers at the top level interact like that with fans, fantastic!! 3 minutes in and North Gawber play a long ball, number 9 brings it down and plays it to number 11 on the edge of the box on the full volley!! Good save by the Hepworth keeper!! Out for a corner, in it comes… Cleared!
8 minutes into the game now and North Gawber play a long ball forward again to number 11 who charges into the box to get on the end of it, the full volley… He’s scuffed it and it rolls wide… Big chance! North Gawber are looking very good here, it looks only a matter of time before they break the deadlock. 24 minutes gone and North Gawber come forward down the right with number 5, he crosses in towards number 11… He’s headed over and he’s getting frustrated now, looking like it’s not going to be his night…
29 minutes gone now and Hepworth with the ball now, they come down the right and play it low to number 4 on the edge of the box, he shoots… Saved by the keeper! It’s not done yet, number 2 gets there and crosses but the ball is stopped and goes out for a corner, in it comes and only half cleared by North Gawber, the ball is played to number 5!! Good save by the keeper! Corner for Hepworth, in it comes, North Gawber clear!
31 minutes on the clock now and the ball is safely in the hands of the North Gawber keeper, a long ball across the pitch by the keeper now, number 5 wins the header for North Gawber, the ball falls to number 10, 20 yards out he shoots… OFF THE POST AND IN!!! 1-0!!! No 0-0 tonight!!! 19 games without one now!!
5 minutes later and Hepworth looking to respond, here come Hepworth down the left, the ball is played to number 8, he makes space for the shot… Good save again by the North Gawber keeper and a corner is given to Hepworth, in it comes, headed away by North Gawber but Hepworth retrieve the ball on the right, the cross comes in but it’s too high but nevertheless Hepworth still have possession, number 4 for Hepworth crosses again, number 7 is there!! He heads home!!! 1-1!! North Gawber started to dominate again but would not regain the lead before half time.
Second half, and North Gawber are straight out of the blocks here, the ball is played to number 9… OH! He’s dragged it wide… Big chance there! North Gawber are still in charge of this game with Hepworth showing little in response. 64 minutes gone and Hepworth come forward, the ball is played through to number 15… Good save by the keeper!
2 minutes later and North Gawber use their secret weapon, the long throw! Here it comes, headed away only to North Gawber’s number 12 on the volley! Over the bar just… Would’ve been a heavenly goal that!! 2 minutes after that and North Gawber come forward again, number 10 plays it to number 8 down the left of the box, the cross and… Blocked but was it by a hand? Yes! Says the Referee! Penalty to North Gawber and I have to agree, the Hepworth defender slides in to block the cross but his hand was raised and did block the cross, penalty for me definitely! Number 12 steps up and he sends the keeper the wrong way! 2-1! Thoroughly deserved!
North Gawber still looking the better of the two sides tonight! 82 minutes gone and they come forward again, the ball falls to number 7 and he goes for the volley… Keeper parries it and number 10 is there… GOAL! He finishes the rebound and probably the match now! The game fizzled out with both teams enjoying possession no other clear chances and the score remained 3-1!
FT: North Gawber Colliery 3-1 Hepworth United
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – A few fans in attendance and there wasn’t any singing but a few appeals for decisions which adds to the atmosphere a little.
- The Ground: 4/10 – It’s a decent little set up! A good old stand and a nice little backdrop! The ground has a little personality too with the railings painted in the clubs colours, Claret & Blue!
- Expense: 10/10 – Free entry for 4 goals is always a top marker!!
- Overall Experience: 9/10 – I had a lovely evening! The North Gawber management team were very friendly! And it was also great to meet and chat with some other local non league fans! Always adds to the experience!!
25/40