Swinton Athletic (Swinton Miners Welfare)

Swinton Miners Welfare, home of Swinton Athletic based in Rotherham, South Yorkshire and play their trade in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League Premier Division.

They are finally here! They have been playing at Mexborough Athletic’s ground for a number of years now but they are back in Swinton at long last! Tonight they face South Kirkby Colliery in which promises to be a hopper fest! And hopefully a goal fest of course!

The clocks have gone forward and we are in early evening kick off territory! So it’s out of work and onto the M1 and off at junction 35, through Wentworth and into Swinton with just under 30 minutes until kick off. Free Entry to this one! Yabba Dabba Doo!

So many hoppers here! Graeme, Tony, Jon, Mark, Mitchell, Paul & the gnome, Neil, Eddie and more! Out come the teams here! The dusk of Wednesday evenings are back in grassroots! Let’s have it!

Kick Off! 2 minutes in and South Kirkby come forward, it’s played into the middle for number 10… It’s turned in!!! I think that might be an Own Goal! It lobs the keeper and for the second game in a row for me we have an early goal! 0-1! What a start again!

27 minutes now and Swinton play it in from the right, number 9 goes for the header, keeper gets there first but it’s come back off number 9’s head… OH! It’s gone just over! So so close!

3 minutes later and Swinton have a corner, in it comes… It’s over the keeper, number 6 is there with the header from close range… It’s deflected out, corner again, in it comes again… Number 7 is there with the header… He’s mis-read the header and it comes back to the taker, it’s crossed back in again, number 9 header… And in!! They’ve got the equaliser! And it’s 1-1!

38 minutes on the watch and Swinton play it into the box from the left, number 7 chests it down and shoots… Just wide!

42nd minute and it’s another corner for Swinton, in it comes… It drops for number 10 in the box to shoot… Deflected… OFF THE LINE! Cleared by South Kirkby. At half time here it remains 1-1.

Second half, 50 minutes now and South Kirkby play it forward, number 10 drives and gets a shot away just outside the box… Oooooh! Just wide!

54th minute and Swinton play it through to number 9 and he’s onside here, the keeper charges out… Number 9 gets past him… And he finishes! 2-1! Great composure there with the defenders chasing him down!

65 minutes gone and it’s a throw in on the right for Swinton, it’s played in, it’s played into the box low and it comes for number 10 to shoot… OH! It’s off the post! South Kirkby clear the danger.

1 minute later and Swinton are played through down the left, they get into the box and it’s played across for number 9… GET IN! He lashes it home! Swinton have 3! It’s looking like Swinton’s night here! 3-1!

2 minutes after that and South Kirkby come forward, number 8 is played through on the right, he battles with the defender and gets into the box, he’s shrugged off the defender… And he scores! That wasn’t in the script was it? Maybe South Kirkby aren’t finished yet! It’s 3-2!

73 minutes now and it’s a free kick on the right for Swinton, it’s played into the box… Number 10 header… It’s off the bar! South Kirkby get it away and break down the right, it’s crossed in… Oh no! The keeper has dropped it… And number 9 is there and he puts it in! TAXI!! A howler from the keeper and South Kirkby are LEVEL! 3-3!

80th minute and Swinton play down the left, it’s played into the box for number 7 who controls… AND HE SMASHES IT HOME!! Brilliant finish! They lead again here! South Kirkby have got to come again! 4-3!!!

85 minutes gone and Swinton smash it forward, it comes into the box for the keeper to collect… Oh wait! Number 7 has beaten him in the air… OH! He’s hit the post! He’s so unlucky there! That should have been the game there for Swinton!

I still have never seen a 4-4 live and South Kirkby are knocking on the door here, will tonight be the night……? No! Swinton hold on for the win!

FT: Swinton Athletic 4-3 South Kirkby Colliery

Ratings

• Atmosphere: 1/10 – Dead unfortunately…
• The Ground: 7/10 – Very nice setup especially for the level! I like the views and the elevation on the near side, the stand is coming along nicely and the artwork on the portacabins is good too!
• Expense: 10/10 – £0!
• Overall Experience: 10/10 – Great to see everyone and a fantastic game also!

28/40