Sands United (South Yorkshire)

Ryecroft Road Recreation Ground, home of Sands United based in Doncaster, South Yorkshire and as of next season will be playing in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Flourish League. Sands United have teams in regions across the UK and are teams made up of players who have tragically suffered a form of baby loss… But what better way to use football to come together!

Today they face Aston Swallownest in a friendly and I’ve been informed by the Merry Miller that a familiar face is in the Aston Swallownest team! None other than FANA Fan Podcast guest Terry Langton who featured alongside the Merry Miller back in Season 2 to debate their best Rotherham United XI. Will he get on the scoresheet?

The short journey over from Darfield to Ryecroft Road sees us here with around 10 minutes to kick off. Free Entry for this one! Fabulous!

Kick Off! 2 minutes in and number 99 for Sands is played through from the left and he’s 1on1 with the keeper… Keeper saves! It comes back to Sands and the shot comes in with the keeper off his line… Tipped over! Corner, in it comes… John Drury with the header… Blocked and cleared by Aston Swallownest.

An end to end start to the game here! 10th minute and Aston play down the right hand side, it’s played into the middle, Terry Langton chases it and slides for it… It’s just gone beyond him as he hits it into the side netting. 2 minutes later and Aston play down the right wing again, it’s crossed in by number 17 on the volley… IT’S GONE IN!! Aston Swallownest can’t believe it! What a strike even though he didn’t mean it! 0-1!

17 minutes on the watch and Sands play forward, it’s flicked on to Nathan Byers and he’s in… He’s put it wide… Big chance! 2 minutes later and Sands play a long ball forward, John Drury gets it and brings it down, he’s around the keeper… And he scores!! Brilliant work! It’s 1-1!

25 minutes gone and Sands come again, it’s played to John Drury about 20 yards out and he goes for the half volley… BRILLIANT!! Keeper got a hand on it but what a strike that is! It’s 2 for him and 2 for Sands! 2-1!

29th minute and Aston play forward, ball over the top comes to Sam Sharp for Aston Swallownest, he gets into the box, he beats the defender and shoots… AND SCORES!! SAM SHARP! What a finish!! Sharp by name Sharp by nature!! Fantastic goal!! 2-2! What a game this is proving to be!

2 minutes later and Sands launch it forward, it’s headed up in the air… Keeper comes… He’s dropped it and it falls for Nathan Byers who plays it back for the shot… He’s brought down there! Shot cleared off the line by the Aston defenders. Play is stopped as Byers is down… That was a Penalty for me there! Not given!

A first for me here now as I have been given the Linesman’s flag… Wish me luck! 38 minutes on the clock and Sands play a long ball over the top again, John Drury is onside… Trust me! He goes for the lob… And he has got his hat-trick!! 3-2! Very well timed run and Sands lead again!

43rd minute and Sands play a long ball again, it’s flicked on to Nathan Byers… The flag is up! He’s Offside! Byers runs in to score but it won’t count… He’s not happy with me! He definitely was Offside! I’m having that one! At half time Sands lead 3-2 and I have passed the flag on to someone else now.

Second half, 47th minute and Sands play down the left, it’s played into the middle and it has deflected into the path of Nathan Byers who controls it… And finishes!! 4-2! He’s got his goal now and has this game got beyond Aston Swallownest now?

52 minutes played and Sands play a long throw in from the right, flicked on to Nathan Byers at the far post who goes for the volley… Over! 4 minutes later and Sands have a corner, in it comes… “Handball!” Shout the Sands players… Penalty! Definite for me! John Drury steps up… What a Penalty!! No keeper in the world will save that! Right into the top bin! 5-2!

59th minute now and Sands work it forward, it’s worked through to John Drury in the box… He’s put it wide… Sitter! And he knows it! 70 minutes now and Sands have it on the left with John Drury, he gets into the box and makes space for the shot… Keeper has lost it and Dale Murat is there… And he smashes it home! It’s 6!! 6-2!

2 minutes later and Aston play forward and they play a through ball to Terry Langton… He’s Offside! He scores but it won’t count… Damn! 75 minutes now and Sands have a corner, in it comes… Nathan Byers at the far post with the header… It’s there! He’s got 2!! It’s 7-2 to Sands United!

86th minute and Sands have another corner, in it comes… Headed away, it comes to Will McPherson around 25 yards out and he goes for goal… Deflected… And it’s another one! Wrong foots the keeper and it’s 8-2 to Sands United now! Play goes on but Sands will have to settle for 8!

FT: Sands United 8-2 Aston Swallownest

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 2/10 – No noise from anyone in the crowd but certainly a friendly atmosphere at the game here today!
• The Ground: 4/10 – Not a bad setup! Quite scenic in places but it is on a hill unfortunately.
• Expense: 10/10 – A free game!!
• Overall Experience: 7/10 – A great game and a good day out with the Merry Miller once again!!

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