Following a disappointing result and display in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Fair Play League Challenge Cup First Round, losing 9-3 to King’s Athletic last Saturday at Hillsborough College, Game Changer pitted their wits against local side Prospect FC in a midweek friendly.
The Oranges didn’t fare any better following a pitiful display, succumbing to a disappointing 11-1 defeat, despite the opposition reporting a 15-1 score-line on social media. However, much praise should be given to a second half rally after the visitors found themselves 8-0 behind at the break. Levi Wilkinson drilled home a free-kick and Brandon Jones was unfortunate to see his penalty saved.
Prospect, who operate in the Barnsley & District Sunday League, had a woeful 2022-23 campaign, finishing rock bottom with 0%-win record having lost all 16 of their league matches. They will playout the 2023-24 season in Division 1 (third tier).
Changer boss, Jamie Moore, was without several regular players; Jesse Payne, Matthew Townsend, Ben Peel, and Connor Jones were all absent, whilst Moore opted to try a new formation; 4-2-3-1.
GAME CHANGER 0-0 OPPOSITION SUNDAY, 1ST APRIL 2023
FLOURISH LEAGUE
Game Changer XI | Substitutes |
Liam Cole | Dean Crawford |
Brett Hanson | Jamie Moore |
Michael Gibson | Sam Taylor |
Joe Deakin | Levi Wilkinson |
Liam Potter | Josh Payne |
Paul Holland | Leo |
Ryan Hunter | Jacob |
Kevin Laws | |
Chris Gibson | |
Jack Riley | Manager |
Brandon Jones | Jamie Moore |
As a contest this will be one of those games will quickly be forgotten after the Oranges slipped to a half-time 8-0 loss. Both sides disputed several referee decisions, particularly 20 minutes into the first half after Joe Deakin was dismissed following an alleged foul. The referee deemed the centre-back as the last man and punished the defender with a red card. However, credit to fair play from the hosts, they allowed the visitors to make a substitution and keep eleven players on the field – though Deakin was not allowed to return to the field.
By this time the hosts were 4-0 ahead after easily breaching the Changer defence as the visitors struggled to cope with a pedestrianised midfield in the middle of the park leaving the visitors with messily opportunities which in large fell to Brandon Jones as, on three occasions, he caught sight of goal but failed to find the back of the net.
His first, from the left narrowly missed the near post whilst his second attempt was comfortably stopped by the keeper before he flashed an effort wide of the far post.
They began the second half in the same spirit as Prospect beat an offside trap to extend their lead to nine goals.
However, a rally from the Oranges saw them (almost) score twice in the space of three minutes. On 50 minutes, after being presented with a free-kick on the edge of the area, Wilkinson drove a trademark low free-kick into the bottom corner.
Moments later, after being tripped in the box, Brandon Jones, agonisingly saw his spot kick saved by the keeper.
Prospect netted their tenth of the match from the penalty spot, sending keeper Cole the wrong way, before adding an eleventh before the final whistle blew.
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