Mexborough Athletic Sports & Social Club, Hampden Road, home of Swinton Athletic based in South Yorkshire and play their trade in the Sheffield & Hallamshire League Premier Division. Also home of Mexborough Athletic but today it’s Swinton Athletic that is the subject of this blog. A tough decision for me today, Bootle FC, Kempston Rovers or a Bradford derby at Farsley Celtic. The final decision is Farsley Celtic… But after a phone call with the Merry Miller and the Celtic game on at 5:15pm and a big following watching, he’s sold it to me… A quick decision needs to be made… AFC Phoenix vs Dinnington Town is the final decision… No it isn’t! Swinton Athletic is the decided destination after all! That was hard! Hope I picked the right game!
The train to Swinton from Sheffield and the walk to Mexborough and here we are! It’s free entry here for this one! You Beauty! Houghton Main are the visitors here today!
Kick Off! Swinton starting the better of the 2 teams so far. 10 minutes in and Swinton play down the right wing, it’s crossed in low, poorly dealt with by Houghton and it falls to Swinton’s number 11 to shoot… Wide! 4 minutes later and Houghton come forward now, they get it out to the left, it’s crossed in low for number 9 to slide in at the near post… He’s skied it! He should’ve done better there!
27th minute and Houghton play a ball forward from the halfway line, number 11 is through and he’s beaten the offside trap, he’s around the keeper… He’s hit the post!! Goal kick! Should’ve done better! 31 minutes on the clock and Houghton play forward again, a chipped through ball into the box for number 11 who’s in on goal… He’s buried it!! No flag! 0-1!! Good finish!
33 minutes now and Houghton come down the right again, number 11 gets into the box on the right, he plays it across low… Swinton get there but it comes to Houghton’s number 10 in the box, he beats the defender and shoots… Brilliant save by the keeper! Swinton clear!
2 minutes later and Swinton play forward now, a chipped ball is played into the box, number 14 gets there for Swinton and he shoots… Keeper saves and collects! 39 minutes now and Swinton are pressing Houghton now, a through ball is played to number 7 who gets to it, he’s around the keeper and he shoots… The Houghton defender can’t keep it out and it’s 1-1!!! They’ve deserved that on the balance of play!
42 minutes now and Swinton play down the right flank again, it’s played in towards number 10 at the back post… He’s brought down there!! The Referee has given a corner for Swinton… Definite Penalty for me there! Swinton furious! In comes the corner… Keeper punches but only to Swinton’s number 8, he plays it to number 7 to shoot… Wide! At half time, the score remains 1-1.
Second half, 47th minute and Swinton play a through ball to number 10 who gets into the box, he gets around the keeper… He’s brought down there! Swinton play on and shoot… Was that a hand to block there!? The Referee has given a Penalty! Number 14 to take… And he scores!!! 2-1!!! Swinton lead!
53rd minute and Swinton have a free kick on the edge of the box to the left hand side, number 9 steps up… BRILLIANT!!! Great free kick and it’s 3-1 to Swinton now!! 3 minutes later and Swinton play with it around the back, it’s played back to the keeper… He’s hit it straight against Houghton’s number 11… The keeper scrambles it out for a corner… In that comes… Cleared by Swinton.
59th minute and Houghton have another corner, in it comes… Number 5 rises the highest… Tipped over brilliantly by the Swinton keeper and it’s another corner… In that one comes… Swinton clear again.
The game has slowed down for the first time but Swinton are still looking the stronger of the 2 teams. 83 minutes played and the Houghton keeper collects from a Swinton stray ball, he kicks it upfield, only to Swinton’s number 8 and he goes for goal from the halfway line on the half volley… Just over! What a goal that would’ve been!! Swinton press for a fourth, but would not get it and would have to settle for 3. Off I go back to Rotherham to meet the Merry Miller!
Bootle 0-3 Leek Town
Kempston Rovers 1-1 North Leigh
Farsley Celtic 1-0 Bradford Park Avenue
AFC Phoenix 2-1 Dinnington Town
Did I pick the right game!!!??
FT: Swinton Athletic 3-1 Houghton Main
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 2/10 – Not any chanting, but plenty of noise from both sets of teams and fans today when going for decisions!
- The Ground: 6/10 – I like this ground! For the level it’s great! A good stand and some lovely countryside from the stand’s side! It could do with a bit on the one side but I do love the terrace steps on the Stand’s side and behind both goals!
- Expense: 10/10 – Free entry for goals! You know the sequence by now!
- Overall Experience: 6/10 – I enjoyed today! A good game and I’m glad I’ve finally done this ground after failing to get here last season! Great to be back at grassroots level again!
24/40
EH UP JAKE Swinton are a really good side, no doubt you noticed a player called ENZO GUARINI, SOMETIMES A NUMBER7 OR NUMBER 10, I WAS AT AFC WAKEFIELD LAST SATURDAY V SWINTON AND HE WAS A CLASS ACT THAT COULD EASILY PLAY AT A HIGHER LEVEL.
Hiya mate, Yes he was number 7, fantastic player!! He could do a job at a higher level for certain!