Mallorie Park, home of Ripon City based in North Yorkshire and play their trade in the West Yorkshire Football League… Based in North Yorkshire?
They are currently in Division Two of the West Yorkshire League but that could all change today! Ripon are one win away from promotion and winning the league! Only Tingley Athletic stand in the away of them reaching Division One now!
Murmurs of the club wanting to move away at some point to a better facility… Does this club have ambitions to be in a higher league even after today’s game? It is a city so why not?!
So it’s on to the A1 up north and into the ground with around 20 minutes to kick off. Leeds United 2-2 Newcastle United with a few minutes to go… Oh dear! Some guy has just tried to get to Eddie Howe! I’ve seen everything now… It finishes 2-2 which I’m sure Leeds will be happy with and that game finishes just in time for the game here. Is it Ripon’s day today?
Kick Off! 5 minutes in and it’s a free kick on the right for Ripon, it’s crossed in, number 9 is there… OH! He’s headed it the wrong way but Ripon get it back on the right… Tingley hold on and force the ball away.
13 minutes now and Tingley play the ball over the top for number 14 to chase, he’ll get there before the keeper and he’ll shoot… It’s saved! It comes back for number 7… He scuffs his shot under pressure and Ripon clear.
1 minute later and Ripon get the ball forward, they fight for it in the box, it comes for number 11 on the half volley on the edge of the box… BANG! Bottom corner! Ripon lead! 1-0! As it stands, they are champions!
16 minutes now and Ripon play a long ball looking for number 9, he gets there, Tingley get a foot to it and it’s come off number 9’s hand… He scores but it won’t count! The Ripon manager is not happy!
21 minutes on the watch and Tingley come forward, it’s played through to number 5 and he’s onside… It’s a tame effort and the keeper saves!
25th minute and it’s a corner for Ripon, in it comes… It falls for number 8 at the back post to hook it towards goal, off the line! It comes back to number 9 for the header… It’s just wide! Ripon are knocking on the door here!
40th minute and Tingley hit it forward, it comes for number 7 on the left and he drives into the box, he shoots… The keeper spills it… But collects the loose ball!
44 minutes now and it’s a free kick right on the corner flag on the right for Ripon, it’s played in… The keeper punches it not very far… It’s a Ripon header… off the line! It’s gone out for a corner for Ripon, in it comes… Cleared by Tingley. At half time it remains 1-0.
Second half, 49 minutes now and it’s a corner for Ripon, in it comes… It comes off a Ripon man but it’s set up beautifully for number 8 to volley… OH! It’s just over!
Ripon are all over Tingley here but are struggling to find the second goal… The more this game goes on, the more you feel that Tingley could spoil the party… Can Ripon finish this game off…?
64 minutes gone and it’s another corner for Ripon, it’s whipped in again… It’s headed in at the far post… But the Referee blows his whistle! No goal! He has seen a push in the build up… Boos in the crowd!
70th minute and Ripon come forward, it’s played into number 9 in the box who controls and shoots… THERE IT IS!! He finds the bottom corner! It could be the goal to send Ripon up! 2-0!
5 minutes later and Ripon play down the left, it’s played across… And number 10 has somehow put it over from point blank! It did get a defenders touch so it will be a corner, it’s played in… Number 12 near post… Well wide!
79th minute and Ripon play it forward to number 12 in the box on the left, he goes for the far corner… Oooooh! It’s just wide of the post!
82 minutes now and Ripon bomb down the right, it’s crossed in, number 12 with the free header, HE’S GOT IT!!! No doubt about it now! RIPON ARE SURELY GOING UP! It’s 3-0!
85 minutes now and Ripon work the ball out to the right, it’s crossed in, number 12 is there again… OH! It’s just wide this time.
Ripon continue to press… THE FINAL WHISTLE! Ripon City are champions of the West Yorkshire League Division Two! THEY ARE GOING UP! Out comes the pyro!
FT: Ripon City 3-0 Tingley Athletic
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 3/10 – A few chants at the end and a few boos during the game, pretty ok here today at Ripon!
- The Ground: 7/10 – I like it! It’s all about the stand in the middle! It does have a clubhouse which is rare for this level. This is a ground that could be higher than the club is and I hope that they continue to push on! I’m glad I have seen this ground before a potential move more than anything!
- Expense: 10/10 – A couple of quid on food and drink and a pin badge!
- Overall Experience: 7.5/10 – Great to see this ground more than anything but even better to see a team winning a promotion!! Not the best of games as it did feel more like a Ripon training session but still great to finally be here!
27.5/40