Since there formation in late 2022 it has been Game Changer FC’s ambition to enter both a local Sheffield & District Fair Play League and the Flourish League. On Thursday, 22nd June, they were successfully accepted into the Flourish League – along with last weekend’s opposition, Hillsborough RvB, whom they (unfortunately), lost 7-2 at Barnsley Academy,
To complete an application, the team are required to play eight grading games. Thus far, the club has played six and required one further fixture to complete their application. Having already agreed to travel to Doncaster Man v Fat on the Sunday, the Oranges crammed in a last-minute fixture at home to Sheffield Trinity on the Saturday. However, due to mounting injuries the opposition had to pull out, leaving the Changer team without a fixture.
Without playing the final game, the Oranges run the risk of not being accepted into the Fair Play League. Coach, Gavin Frost, worked extremely hard in finding an alternative opposition and swiftly found new opponents in Mosborough Yellows FC – proving that not all hero’s wear capes!
The Yellows finalised the 2022-23 Sheffield and District Fair Play League Division Two bottom of the pile despite ending the campaign with back-to-back victories over Beighton Pheonix (4-0), and Sheffield Bankers Pavilion (2-0).
Sunday’s encounter with Doncaster Man v Fat saw a return fixture for the two sides having already met on 2nd April, with the Doncaster side prevailing in a 5-2 victory despite the Changer side putting in a spirited performance – Brandon Jones (penalty) and Jesse Payne were on the scoresheet that day.
Game Changer 3-8 Mosborough Yellows Saturday, 24th June 2023 – 10:30 AM
Game Changer XI | Substitutes |
Matthew Woodhall | Jamie Moore |
Luke Dowl | Ali Lima |
Paul Holland | Ben Peel |
Ryan Hunter | Cameron Harrison |
Levi Wilkinson | |
Brett Hanson | Manager |
Dean Crawford | Gavin Frost |
Chris Gibson | |
Josh Payne | |
Jesse Payne | |
Brandon Jones | |
The Changer team found their squad selection limited with several players unavailable: Matthew Townsend, Michael Gibson, Kevin Laws, and Connor Jones all absent. In goal, Matthew Woodhall, made his debut, playing the first 45 minutes with Ryan Hunter playing out in the second half. Despite a slim squad the hosts made a good account for themselves and despite falling behind by two goals, they pulled the game back and were leading 3-2 midway through the first half. However, a mixture of experience and fatigue took its toll on the Oranges.
Though the Mosborough side might consider themselves unfortunate not to have won by a greater margin having hit the post once in each half when a goal looked certain.
The visitors took advantage of lacklustre defending with high balls over the top and long throws into the box which proved a menace for the hosts, and on several occasions, they breached the Oranges defence. They found themselves into a sailable two goal lead through sloppy defender. The first, from a corner, and the second a long throw.
A frantic ten-minute spell saw the hosts change the game on its head and through aggressive attacking saw them, somehow, take the lead with three goals shared between the Payne brothers, as Jesse netted twice whilst Josh also found the net upon his return from a months absence. Firstly, a fine through ball saw Jesse Payne charge through before his sweet strike proved too much for the keeper.
Brett Hanson proved to be the catalyst after his long throw in the final third was flicked on and the ball landed to the feet of Josh Payne and his right-footed strike nestled calmly into the far bottom left hand corner. The hosts took the lead moments later following Cameron Harrison’s ball across the 18-yard line and star striker, Jesse Payne, did the rest as his effort proved too power for the opposition keeper.
The lead didn’t last long. Shortly before the water break the Yellows levelled and shortly before the break, they re-took the lead. Despite leading at one point, the hosts had found the first-half difficult. Having a short squad was already difficult to contend with, they also lost a couple of players through injury – making the second half more of an uphill struggle.
Despite their disadvantage it was detriment to the side that they continued to play on, even with injured players. The searing heat did not help either as tiredness set in. They struggled to contend with the Yellows balls over the top as they added a further four goals in the last 45 minutes to put the game to bed. One of which was a penalty following Levi Wilkinson’s late challenge, which the striker duly despatched past keeper Hunter.
The Changer team’s patched up defence defended stoutly throughout and prevented many close-range efforts from finding the back of the net. The hosts themselves had further opportunities to extend their tally. The hosts were presented with a spot-kick after Jamie Moore was bundled over in the box by the keeper. The substitute striker stepped up, but the keeper saved his twelve-yard effort. Moments later, Moore was again presented with an opportunity in front of goal after Brandon Jones free kick was cleared and Paul Holland recycled the ball back into the box, but the keeper pulled out an excellent saved from Moore’s half-volley.
The referee blew for full-time in what was a disappointing result which, on another day, could have ended very differently. The team move onto their next fixture against Doncaster Man v Fat with the encouragement in their search for their first victory.
Doncaster Man v Fat 8-2 Game Changer Sunday, 25th June 2023 – 12:00 PM
Game Changer XI | Substitutes |
Ryan Hunter | Levi Wilkinson |
Michael Gibson | Kyle Reece |
Paul Holland | Ali Lima |
Matthew Townsend | Ben Peel |
Josh Payne | Brett Hanson |
Cameron Harrison | |
Dean Crawford | Manager |
Connor Jones | Gavin Frost |
Kevin Laws | |
Jesse Payne | |
Jamie Moore | |
If there was one fixture which was seen as a ‘winnable’ game, it was this one after coming close in their previous outing. Unfortunately, games are not won on paper as the Game Changer found out to their dislike, as they slid to (another) defeat. However, they could not be faulted for effort but, again, a mixture of inexperience, high temperatures, and fatigue was not on their side.
There was a striking difference between the two sides as the hosts proved unstoppable in the second half. Although It is worth noting that the score was 2-1 to the hosts at half-time. Doncaster gave the Changer side a footballing lesson as they continued to breach the Oranges defence with the majority of their second half goals came from one-on-one situations, before getting the better of keeper, Ryan Hunter. The visitors were unfortunate not to extend their tally in the second half after Jesse Payne was twice denied whilst Cameron Harrison hit the post on the angle from close range.
The Changer team tried out a new formation of 3-5-2 but soon reshuffled to 4-4-2, however, they boasted a more selection of players in comparison to 24-hours earlier as they welcomed back; Matthew Townsend, Michael Gibson, and Connor Jones to name a few – but was without Brandon Jones, and Matthew Woodhall in goal. There was a touch of Deja Vue after (like the day before), they fell behind by two goals. Thew hosts were much taller and physical than their counterparts, taking advantage by overloading the defence.
Despite falling to a two-goal deficit, the visitors didn’t faulter and continued to persevere. They pulled one back midway through the first half after a ball through saw Jesse Payne skilfully charge through the defence before striking past the keeper his fourth goal in his last three games. Payne came close to doubling his tally and levelling moments before the break after Jamie Moore was brought into play in the middle of the park, his header found Jones and his pass saw Payne breach the backline before firing wide across goal.
When the 2023-24 campaign kicks-off there will be an entire Division that will separate the two teams competition, with GCFC rewarded with Division Three status in their debut season. Fatigue and high temperatures could be suggested as an overall second half collapse – though it could clearly be a lack of experience!
Changes were made at the break for both sides, but it was the hosts who dominated the second half as they scored a further seven goals. There through balls breached the Oranges defence time after time, which mostly resulted in a one-on-one situation and by finding the back of the old onion net.
Chances for the visitors were few and far between. Dean Crawford saw his long-range drive blocked and Payne was twice denied from close-range. On one occasion he (somehow) controlled the ball in the air, guided the ball past the keeper but could only find the side netting on a tight angle – all, before he landed on the ground.
It was a disappointing afternoon for the Barnsley based side, but it was the Oranges who had the final say as Levi Wilkinson drilled an unstoppable shot from the edge of the area to give the visitors a scant consolation in the final kick of the game.
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