Aston Swallownest Juniors 3-4 Game Changer FC

An energetic Game Changer side got the better of Aston Swallownest Juniors in the Flourish League after they swept their opposition aside in a jubilant 4-3 victory at the Eco Power Stadium. 

The visitors had marched onto a two-goal lead through Jesse Payne and Joe Stones before the hosts pulled a goal back on the edge of half-time. Payne added to his tally in the second half, whilst substitute Kevin Laws netted a stunning free kick to aid The Oranges a three-goal advantage before Swallownest netted twice to set up a tense finish. 

The victory came just over 24 hours since they lost 7-2 at home to King's Athletic in the Sheffield & District Fair Play League, which put the Farm Road club second in the Flourish League with one point separating them at top of the table RvB Hillsborough!

Aston Swallownest Juniors 3-4 Game Changer FC

Sunday, 19th November 2023

Flourish League – KO: 15:00 PM

​Game Changer XI	​Substitutes

Game Changer had gone into the break 2-1 ahead, though considered themselves unfortunate not to have carved out a greater margin. 

There was plenty of action in the first 45 minutes with the visitors enjoying the opening exchanges. The beginning ten minutes saw the Oranges come close as Payne saw a one-on-one effort expertly saved by the Aston keeper at the expense of a corner. At the other end, a scrambled box saw Luke Dowl head of the line as the visitors came close!

Prior to taking the lead on 15 minutes, Stones saw a comical acrobatic overhead kick bundle wide of goal. The visitors took the lead via Payne's astute finish. Strike partner Jamie Moore proved to be the catalyst as his ball through saw the forward advance beyond his marker before clipping the ball over the advancing keeper as the ball landed to much satisfaction into the empty net. 

Their lead was doubled three minutes later. With the momentum now with the Oranges, high pressing from Moore and co saw a stray pressured pass land to the feet of Stones. He controlled, skilfully skipped past his marker before finding time and space to find his spot and coolly slotted past the keeper.

From then the game went stale, though Payne frustratingly saw his effort hit the side netting before the hosts pulled a goal back after beating an offside trap before getting the better of keeper Liam Cole, as an unstoppable finish flashed into the net. Though, there was a suspicion of offside – the referee, Gary Barlow, waved away any protests.

The goal came at an unexpected time. A strong defence kept the hosts at bay, who saw opportunities at goal few and far between. On the rare occasion that the defence was breached, Cole pulled out some impressive saves. 

The second half saw the visitors continue to play flowing passing football, whilst the hosts lethargically continued to play high balls over midfield in a rash attempt to breach the defence - on the few occasions they knocked the ball far enough, the defence was able to deal with any attacking pressure. 

The Oranges set their stalls out and before they knew it had pulled themselves into a 4-1 lead. Dean Crawford had headed down a clearance and the ball fell to Payne. He twisted and turned before unleashing an unstoppable half volley which skimmed the underside of the crossbar as it fizzed past the keeper. 

Game Changer had squandered earlier opportunities to extend their lead. Midfielder Kevin Laws had played the ball out wide to Payne and his cross across the box saw an advancing Laws lash the ball over the bar from close range. However, Laws would soon be gifted his opportunity at goal. The visitors were awarded a free-kick following a foul on Brandon Jones 25-yards from goal. Laws took the set-piece and his right-footed effort curled into the top right-hand corner and beyond a stretching keeper.

The hosts keeper had been responsible for keeping Swallownest in the game. Though a keeper can only be as good as his defence, which the back four appeared unorganised and argumentative with one another. 

Through more luck than judgement the hosts netted twice in the final twenty minutes to set up a tense finish. Cole had charged out of his area to clear a high ball which had cleared the defence; however, he miss controlled- conceded possession to Aston and despite the defence scrambling to Cole's aid, the ball was fired into an empty net. 

A third goal was added with six minutes remaining as another long pass got the better of the Changer team, leaving there #20 striker unchallenged before finishing past Cole.

Despite a nervy final few minutes, the visitors reminded composed as they rode out the remainder of the game. The match ended with Moore's diving header unable to find the target, with the referee ending the match with his final whistle.