Following back-to-back victories over Sands United and The Old George, Game Changer was searching for their third consecutive victory against another Doncaster based opposition in Yorkshire Grey, who were formed this year.
Unfortunately, they failed to secure that elusive third victory and what would have been their first home victory, after losing 4-2 to a Grey side who claimed their first ever victory as a football club. A lacklustre opening 25 minutes saw the Changer side slip to an uncomfortable three-nil deficit before a turnaround saw the hosts net twice via an own goal and Chris Gibson’s strike. Try as they might, the hosts failed to convert further opportunities and were (arguably) denied a stone-walled penalty before Grey netted a fourth goal late in the second half to put the game beyond the battling Changer team.
The hosts were without Jesse Payne, Josh Payne, Ben Peel, and Brandon Jones for the visit of Yorkshire Grey; however, they gave a debut to midfielder Dylan Lunn.
Game Changer 2-4 Yorkshire Grey Sunday, 6th August 2023 – KO: 11:00 AM Friendly Match
Game Changer XI | Substitutes |
Liam Cole | Filip Rudnicki |
Connor Jones | Paul Holland |
Matthew Townsend (C) | Dylan Lunn |
Michael Gibson | Ryan Hunter |
Brett Hanson | Liam Potter |
Levi Wilkinson | |
Sam Taylor | |
Jamie Moore | |
Kevin Laws | |
Dean Crawford | Manager |
Chris Gibson | Jamie Moore |
It wasn't a great start for the Oranges who slipped to a two-goal deficit within the opening exchanges. Firstly, keeper Liam Lowes, spilled a cross into his own goal before a through ball saw their striker chip over a sliding keeper. The hosts responded positively as Dean Crawford saw his long-range effort comfortably collected by the keeper.
At the other end, Lowes made amends from an earlier error when he saved at the expense of a corner. Crawford thought that he had scored after rounding the keeper, but his angled effort was cleared off the line from a covering defender. From the resulting corner, after Grey cleared, Crawford fired straight at the keeper from the edge of the area.
Game Changer conceded a third through a low strike. From then a rally from the hosts saw Game Changer find a way back into the game. Brett Hanson's left wing free kick was turned home at the far post by a Grey defender.
The Oranges came close to a second from Kevin Laws free kick which struck the crossbar before being cleared to safety. However, the ball was played back into the box and after Laws played in Chris Gibson, the striker stabbed home in a melee. The hosts were worthy of a comeback but, sadly, it didn't happen. They were unfortunate to lose players to injury, particularly to Crawford who suffered a leg injury and didn't return to the field.
Grey threatened to extend their lead towards in the closing minutes of the first half and would have taken advantage of a well worked corner, but Paul Holland was in prime position to clear off the line. Before the referee blew for the break, the Oranges came close to levelling but both Laws and Matthew Townsend saw their volleys from a corner fly narrowly wide of the goal mouth.
Try as they might, they struggled playing uphill in the second half, though, the visitors resorted to needless long-range efforts which failed to cause Lowes any concern.
There was a moment of comedy in the second half when play was halted due to a pitch invader - a child. The Changer team was briefly reduced to ten men after full-back Connor Jones received a sin bin for foul and abusive language.
Meanwhile, the referee waved away appeals for a penalty after Jamie Moore took an elbow to the face. And, at the other end, Lowes was consistent in keeping the visitors at bay with excellent saves.
Sadly, all there battling was undone moments from time after a ball through saw the striker clip the ball past Lowes and into the bottom corner. Moments later they thought they had a fifth but was denied by an offside decision before, moments later, the referee blew up for full-time.
It was a disappointing result, but it was a pleasure to face Yorkshire Grey. A humble set of lads who all joined in at the pub afterwards for good beer and banter. We wish the best of luck next season, and we hope they'll be a return fixture in the not-too-distant future.
Commentaires