CLOSE VASE GAME SEES SQUIRES GATE PROGRESS

WORSBROUGH BRIDGE ATHLETIC 0 SQUIRES GATE 2
FA VASE 2ND ROUND QUALIFYING @ PARK ROAD
16 SEPTEMBER 2018 --- 3PM [ACTUAL 3.45PM]
'Left winger in superb strike sends Barnsley side through', the headline was already written but the script didn't fall into place.  With a visit to the birthplace and still home, just a long goal kick from the clubs Park Road ground, of former NUM leader Arthur Scargill I had the ultimate headline for a Worsbrough victory.  However Squires Gate had not read the script and after a delayed start due to an incident on the M62 we kicked off 45 minutes late and as so often happens poor preparation, crammed on a coach, uncomfortable all made absolutely no difference as the visitors secured entry into the next round of the FA Vase.

WORSBROUGH BRIDGE ATH V SQUIRES GATE

For just a second visit to this interesting little ground shared with the local cricket club, so necessitating a Sunday kick off, the frustrations of the weekend continued.  Saturday's early kick off at Ashover, see previous blog, was to see a couple of hours of cricket at Morton only on to arrive there with four runs needed and game over!  Sunday with the usual local league featuring saw a potential abandonment in the second minute of stoppage time for a serious injury before having to make a hasty dash to the station for the 1255 train.

MOST FORMER PIT VILLAGES HAVE THEM BUT HERE THERE ARE TWO CHAPS TO GREET YOU TOO

As per ever train travel is not made simple, ticket machines not taking cash, one travel advisor and after ten minutes the three of us in the queue had not moved as the customer at the desk booked a ticket for a journey for what looked like every remaining day of the year.  Train boarded and excuses made we were thankfully allowed to pay on the train and upon arrival in Barnsley an ever faster dash allowed a departure on the '2' to Worsbrough Bridge.  It was at this stage that after a Twitter check revealed there was a picture of Squires Gate stuck on the motorway with traffic going nowhere declaring 'think we are going to be late'.

AN EXPECTANT CROWD

Never mind this allowed chip cob eating time, a catch up with Alan [casual hopper], another hopper from just outside Stockport, Ian Cox referee and Dave Morrell from the NCEFL.  Having resisted the temptation to have another chip cob a few pictures were taken and programme and raffle tucked away.  The programme after quite a few good ones you would have to say was not one of the more interesting ones although it was paperwork from the game.

CRICKET AND FOOTBALL MEET PLUS SOME IMPRESSIVE FLOODLIGHT POLES

So with the time passing by in a variety of interesting conversations here is a quick descriptor and its a hard ground to describe with so many quirky features.  Entering down a slope and steps to behind the Park Road goal to the left takes you to a two stepped terrace and small covered terrace with crush barriers that stops two thirds of the way along for the cricket grounds outfield.  Behind the terrace runs the river Dove with long fishing net at hand for any water bound balls.  Coming back to our entrance point and turning right a raised terrace behind the sports association club which was closed but last time I remember the large collection of colliery plates adorning the walls and onto the raised hard standing area and the typical colliery style stand seen at many grounds around this area.

AN ATTENTIVE CROWD ON THE RIVER SIDE

The old cricket pavilion was the biggest change since my last visit now a stone pavilion with changing facilities and catering, all with a lovely balcony offering a superb view of proceedings.  For those of a football league disposition today was just a fiver to get in with chip cob, butty in this neck of the woods, and tea £2.50 can you afford not to give non league a try?  Needless to say at that price I did sample another at half time.

A PACKED SQUIRES GATE BOX IN THE FINAL MINUTE WITH WORSBROUGH KEEPER UP FOR THE CORNER

The first half was played out in a sharp drizzling rain and the side from south of Blackpool who ply their trade one step above todays hosts in The NWCFL Premier Division were very much in the ascendency.  As early as the third minute Ryan Charnley had crashed a free kick off the woodwork before Dean Ing saw his header saved by Aidan Tyas in the home goal.  Tyas was on hand again to deny Joseph Mullen at the back post before the inevitable lead came the visitors way two minutes before the break Brett Dawson broke through and slotted past the on coming Tyas to send Squires Gate into a deserved half time lead.

SECOND HALF GREETINGS ARE EXCHANGED

It looked hard to see a way back for Worsbrough but force their way into the game they did with an overwhelming second half possession but time after time they came up against the brick wall of the hardworking visitors defence Fidel Mhlolo was prominent with a shot turned away for a corner and then an assist that Kieran Hirst had in the back of the net only for an offside flag to deny him an equaliser.  Hirst turned supplier in the closing stages with substitute Connor Rollinson inches away from a touch at the back post that would surely have sent the game into extra time.  There was time for the two sides too make closer acquaintances when a kerfuffle occurred all sorted out nicely with three yellow cards.

THE THREE WISE MEN SORT OUT WHO IS UP FOR A GREETING CARD

With the game going into the seventh minute of stoppage time Worsbrough got a corner with everybody up including keeper Tyas the ball of course broke to the visitors and Richard Seear who raced away to slot home into an unguarded goal.  Cue referee MacLeod's whistle straight from the re start and Squires Gate could celebrate a hard earned victory and progress to the next round, slightly weirdly the visiting manager seemed to go over the top by reminding the Worsbrough players and officials of his sides victory and there were a few more close greetings undertaken!
Return journey took in a local service bus service, the 2 again, to Sheffield and having departed by the rail station a train within a few minutes saw arrival at base station just before 7.30pm.  A long day but an enjoyable re visit to a nice little club and ground with a solid performance from Squires Gate seeing them move to the next stage of the FA Vase.