HUNSLET MISS OUT TO POOL IN THE WATER

HUNSLET CLUB 2 POOL 3
WEST YORKSHIRE PREMIER LEAGUE @ HUNSLET CLUB
20 MAY 2017 --- 2.30PM

HUNSLET CLUB V POOL

After 5 months of mediocrity you finally arrive towards the end of the season in a dead rubber game and you've guessed it the most entertaining game of 2017 comes along.  With little to play for both of these sides didn't play anything like you would have expected with a full on game which featured some excellent football and 5 goals in the pouring rain.  In the early stages Pool had secured themselves a 2 goal lead only for Hunslet to fight back with two goals in seven minutes before half time.  As both sides slugged it out in the second half it was Pool who were to enjoy the joy of a winning goal after 89 minutes.

A WARM WELCOME AT HUNSLET CLUB

The base station start was just short of 11am and before the day gets under way there is a need for a little rant.  This week I was looking forward to the end of season jaunt into the West Yorkshire League after last seasons successful visits.  With the option of Field, Bradford based, versus champions Carlton Athletic, on Sunday Field announced there was a doubt about the game due in fairness to Bradford City visiting Wembley for the play offs.  As the week developed it was clear a number of hoppers country wide planned a visit and asked the question 'is it on'?  I have to say Field failed to answer the question and even the FA Full Time site still had the game as on all day on Saturday, thankfully a call to the referee on Friday got me the answer of not too travel it was off.  So it was either Hunslet or Beeston St Anthony's so the new ground was chosen, luckily because BSA's visitors Oxenhope failed to raise a team shortly before kick off resulting in a broken fixture!  The chance to visit Hunslet club would give the blog an insight into two of the NCL rugby league clubs not so far covered in Hunslet Warriors and Hunslet Club Parkside who play on adjacent pitches, indeed the former were at home today to Shaw Cross Sharks so a back up was available.  The rant is just an appeal for clubs to advertise [and leagues] and keep fans up to date Hunslet Club had done so with a quick Twitter announcement and saw around 35 people in attendance with I guess three quarters of them hoppers of the local and national variety [Surrey and St Annes Lancashire were in evidence].

NO SEAT ON JUNE 9 TOO?

So back to the journey on a beautiful day, not to remain so weather wise for long, but with brolly in hand we arrived in Leeds at 1215.  The city was in good and busy form with a short walk to The Cornmarket to catch the First Leeds service to Hunslet.  Luncheon break was taken in the yellow M's and as we looked up to prepare our next move we noticed the weather had done a complete change and it was raining sharply.  The official opening of the umbrellas for today were struggling to keep us dry but after a walk around the local shopping centre there was chance to admire, for political balance after previous political appearances, The Green Party candidates advertising on the edge of the precinct a non polluting bicycle which was minus its seat which I guess Mr Carlisle might also be come June 9 in Leeds Central.
The arrival at Hunslet Club, a multi functional sports venue, was of course still greeted by the downpour and after a welcome from a couple of the Hunslet officials we took a small respite in the snack bar area of the club resisting the chance of a bout in the boxing ring which was right by the comfort break stations.

TO THE LEFT OF ME HUNSLET WARRIORS TO THE RIGHT OF ME HUNSLET CLUB FC

Rain still teaming a circuit was attempted before I realised the NCL Rugby Warriors v Shaw Cross Sharks was on the adjoining pitch separated by just a walkway, this would be a tester not to try to watch both!  Although I did take a few glimpses at the rugby there will be time to catch up with it in the next few months hopefully.  The football ground has a couple of dug outs is nicely railed off with sturdy mesh below the railings but mainly grass standing apart from the immediate area after entering from the club car park, there are no floodlights.

LETS TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE M621 FOOTBARIDGE

But overall this is a smart little set up for this level and even with the downpour it offered a pleasant viewing experience.  Mick had made contact with a few of the other visitors and also some of the Pool [Pool in Wharfedale] officials and it really is amazing the distance some had travelled for this game yet the local estates don't come along and support their team.
With the team sheets gained it was nearly time for kick off and it looked like the photogenic parts of the ground would be the artistically designed footbridge over the A61 and M621 and to the other side of the pitch the Parish Church and Rugby clubhouse.

GOAL [7] IN THE RAIN FOR POOL

The game started at a pace with the visitors in the lead after 9 minutes when Jamie Algar converted and it was 2-0 shortly afterwards this time Algar was the provider for '17' [no number on team sheet info to follow] to head home.  It looked as though Pool would take this game to the cleaners but little by little Hunslet got themselves together and on 39 minutes pulled a goal back through Samuel Kyermeh whose back post header rippled the net.  As half time approached Hunslet crafted out an equaliser when Gareth Groves turned in a Killian Mabey cross.

POOL IN POSSESSION

A highly entertaining half had somehow seen Hunslet force their way right back into proceedings and Pool must have felt quite deflated after conceding their two goal lead.
The first half downpour made watching conditions testing and with the second half starting in finer weather we hoped above hope to leave the umbrellas closed up however it wasn't to be long before they were unfurled again as darkness and heavy rain returned to the skies of Hunslet.   Our friend the unlisted 17 for Pool was in the mix with a couple of good chances to give his side the lead again indeed he even turned provider on 61 minutes setting up Grant Blyth who saw his effort saved by the leg of home custodian Jordan Myers.

THE OTHER VIEW AT HILLIDGE RD

Hunslet were straight back at Pool with a superb 50 yard weaving run from Omri Linfoot which ended with Hunslet substitute 17, I now realise last seasons problem clubs do not list their subs number only 1,2,3, etc on the official team sheets it would be nice W.Yorks League to sort this one so sorry to these 2 players so far for no name checks.  Both sides were now going at it like a heavy weight boxer with fantastic endeavour and commitment but it would be Pool who snatched the three points with a minute of normal time to go when Scott Cater crashed a header in via the underside of the bar.

HUNSLET HOLD ONTO THE BALL

A shame somebody had to lose this one but both teams can be proud of their efforts in an end of season fixture I have seen many poorer games in both effort and quality and paid a higher admission, well done.

CLOSE GAME ALL OVER THE PITCH

An about turn took us on our departure through the rugby clubs car park, the Morrsion's equivalent and out through the shopping centre as the '74' pulled into its stand and we were soon in the City Centre and departing on the Northern Rail service at just after 5pm, base being arrived at 1 and a half hours later.
Overall this was a superb little visit even with the very poor weather it was a game that provided a roaring amount of entertainment for the neutral great to see so many hoppers visiting lets hope the locals start to realise what they have on offer too.