CHADDERTON WIN BATTLE OF THE ROSES AT PARKGATE

PARKGATE 2 CHADDERTON 3
FA VASE RND 1Q @ ROUNDWOOD
31 AUGUST 2019 --- 3PM

PARKGATE V CHADDERTON WITH THE ATMOSPHERIC BACKDROP

In a highly entertaining FA Vase tie it was the Lancashire side that saw off the threat of their Yorkshire hosts and at the end of ninety minutes left the white rose flourishing.  The visitors who were never behind in the encounter met stiff resistance from Parkgate from the NCEFL who pushed NWCFL visitors all the way.
Another relatively local trip further highlighted the chaos that has become public transport in this country, infrastructures are crumbling having started via a stripey boys to spire town station and then an ex Corby service to Sheffield, there were no London trains and a reduction from two to one an hour, we were held short of Sheffield after an earlier broken down train was still causing delays.  With the intention to go on the new tram train to Parkgate a short connection in Sheffield city centre saw all the electronic boards out of order and a quick dash into the centre was undertaken to catch a 1pm departure through Rotherham and to its ultimate destination Parkgate.

IS THIS TRAM TRAIN FOR PARKGATE

Parkgate shopping centre now supports the UK's national hobby and was as ever packed even with Rotherham United at home and Parkgate[!].  Having located the stop for a delayed number 9 into Rawmarsh, you could walk it takes around 25 minutes, a departure two stops short was made for a visit to the much rated Marina fish and chip shop/restaurant for a sample while walking down Green Lane to the ground.
My previous visits to Parkgate have not been high in the number stakes but there was an inter league pull about todays fixture.  The whole site is historically, I believe, related to the steel works that sits in the valley just below adjacent to both the shopping centre and in clear view of the ground.  With golf course, bowling green, Rotherham Utd academy and Parkgate FC its an attractive set up.
The ground itself sits at the front of a two tiered club with changing rooms below and a split bar area today due to a party in one half.

CHADDERTON KEEPER JORDAN HADLOW'S TOWERING CLEARANCE

The ground offers to the right upon entry café and small covered terrace followed by a small seated stand where of course the seats are fitted the wrong way round I well remember it creating me a problem last time especially with drink in hand. 
Moving round the far terrace offers a lofty view with the first section being covered standing, dropping down behind the far goal is an uncovered standing area that is back to pitch level.  The far touchline is not in bounds and is bordered by, as ever, a well looked after conifer hedge.  The whole demeanour is of a smart well run club and is added to by an excellent playing surface.

LIAM CHAMBERS ON HIS WAY TO THE OPENING GOAL FOR CHADDERTON

There would be no PA announcements but a smart programme was issued and with the help of referee Mr Andrew [FA Sunday name] 'Andy' Wood the teams were obtained to help proceedings.
The game got off to a blistering start and the visitors had the lead after just 7 minutes when Liam Chambers took the ball under control and lashed home a superb strike from the left hand edge of the penalty box.  Parkgate adopted the anything you can do we can do.... approach when Simon Harrison fired home an equally impressive strike from 25 yards to level the scores shortly afterwards.  Standout first half efforts from the visitors left back Joseph Richards who prompted much off the good stuff down the left, he looked a constant threat.
Much testing out of one another was to the fore but we went in all square.

PARKGATE IN CONTROL

The second period saw Chadderton celebrating going into the lead, or so they thought, early on when Chambers rose to head the ball into the net but the referee had seen a push and chalked off the effort.
However it didn't take the Lancashire side long to retake the lead on 54 minutes when keeper Jamie Ingham and defender Ben Starosta left the ball for one another Chambers nipped in for his and Chadderton's second thank you very much.

ITS 5.9 FOR THESE TWO IN THE SYNCHRONISED CALLING ON OF THE PHYSIO ROUTINE

Parkgate developed a head of steam to force their way back into what was now an intriguing game for the neutral and a quickly taken free kick found Jon Fusco who drove the ball home across the visiting number one Jordan Hadlow with fifteen minutes remaining.
Delight turned to despair when Chadderton regained the lead straight from the kick off with Jack Snape bundling his was through on goal out came Ingham only for to the frontman to place the ball into the back of the net and secure Chadderton another fixture in this seasons FA Vase.

AND NOW FOR SOME CHADDERTON TIME

There was time in the closing minutes for the referee to secure a second yellow card that of Paul Scholes son Arron for a sharp challenge that took both player and ball and for a little bit of anxiety on the visiting bench but all in all the result had gone the correct way in a game that both sides had contributed so much, a pleasure to watch this afternoon.

REFEREE ADDS ARRON SCHOLES TO HIS CARD LIST OF TWO FOR THE AFTERNOON

Return journey back to Parkgate took in the Rawmarsh estate home to The Fighting Cocks pub and the discussion on the bus by three local young women discussing sexual conquests provided some entertainment before their departure!
What was this shopping hobby all about?  I decided to let a little time lapse to allow Tranmere fans to depart The New York stadium by having a wander and big yellow 'M's visit for further research you understand.  Leaving an hour later a smooth ride back to Sheffield resulted in a full and standing, XCountry, of course, service back to spire town.
Its been a pleasure this season to revisit some of the more local grounds and today was no exception.