Game Changer had an up and down weekend after they were undeservedly beaten 3-2 at home to Yorkshire Wanderers in the Sheffield & District Fair Play League last Saturday before extending their unbeaten run in the Flourish League after convincingly beating Sheffield FC 11-1 – both games played at home.
The S70 club have shown major improvement in the Fair Play League despite failing to claim a victory in the league thus far. They came close to earning their first victory of the season after leading Yorkshire Wanderers 2-1 at the break against the S6 side after netting an own goal from Dean Crawford’s expertly delivered corner, whilst Crawford finished from close-range. A physical Wanderers side got the better of Game Changer and, undeservedly, netted twice to secure maximum points. The loss of three points was a bitter pill to swallow, however, what was a major loss was an injury to defender/midfielder, Joe Stones, who may be sidelined for the remainder of the season. We wish him a safe and speedy recovery.
With the defeat behind them, they persevered in the Flourish League by retaining top spot following a landslide 11-1 victory over Sheffield FC which saw both Dean Crawford and Bradon Jones net hat-tricks. The result left the Barnsley club top of the league and one point better off than second placed Hillsborough. The Changer side will win the league next Sunday if they claim maximum points in their fixture at SC Wanderers and the Hillsborough Club fail to claim a point in their fixture at home to Brodsworth. Otherwise, it will go down to the final fixture as they travel to Sheffield FC Flourish (Red)
Game Changer 2-3 Yorkshire Wanderers
Saturday, 6th April 2024 – 10:30AM
Sheffield & District Fair Play League
The hosts got off the best possible start against their Far Play opponents when they took the lead inside the first five minutes. Working hard in the final third, Tom Watson saw his effort deflect for a corner, whilst Dean Crawford's timed corner was headed home by a Wanderers defender under the pressure of several Changer players.
Sadly, the lead didn't last long as the visitors levelled the score, but not before the Oranges escaped an almost certain goal. After being fouled on the edge of the area, the Wanderers cross was almost turned in the near post but a good sliding tackle from Townsend was rescued at the expense of a corner. The hosts cleared from the resulting corner but another foul on the edge of the area by Dean Noble presented the S6 side with another opportunity in front of goal. They didn't waste their chance as an expertly taken free kick was whipped into the top corner with keeper Scott Crawford finding the shot unstoppable.
In the past, the hosts have found themselves guilty of allowing their heads to drop after losing the lead but, on this occasion, much to their credit, they kept their composure and after applying pressure the hosts got back on top and went ahead again on 16 minutes through another set-piece. Again, a free kick was awarded outside the area. Noble's effort was spilled by the keeper as Crawford reacted quickest to finish from close range.
With the hosts now dictating play they twice came close to extending their advantage. Firstly, Brandon Jones saw his speculative cross almost get the better of the keeper, but the ball landed narrowly over the bar and, after another corner, Noble, agonisingly headed wide at the far post. They were to come close moments later after Noble chased his own ball through from the right and following a mix up between the defender and keeper, they failed to clear area as Noble got to the ball first and with the goal open, his effort clipped the crossbar and over for a goal kick.
The hosts went into the break leading 2-1 in what was a professional performance by the Barnsley based side. However, the second half was a different story as the visitors, undeserving, netted twice without reply to win the game.
Game Changer, wearing orange, struggled to create opportunities in the final third. They won several corners but failed to take advantage. Midway through the second 45 minutes, they were gifted a penalty, following a foul by Joe Stones, which they despatched past an unfortunate Crawford who got a touch on the ball, but the shot proved too powerful.
Yorkshire Wanderers took the lead for the first-time minutes later when a low ball across was cruelly turned home by defender Townsend. The hosts tried to make the remaining minutes count but failed apply sufficient pressure on the Wanderers goal as they slipped to defeat.
Team: Scott Crawford, Kyle Lazenby, Matthew Townsend, Joe Stones ©, Brett Hanson, Lewis Ripley, Jamie Moore. Tyler Calton-Smith, Tom Watson, Dean Crawford, Brandon Jones. Substitutes: Ryan Hunter, Levi Wilkinson, Dean Noble, Paul Holland, Jordan Ibbotson, Jordan Riley, Cameron Harrison.
Game Changer 11-1 Sheffield FC Flourish (Red)
Sunday, 7th April 2024 – 13:30PM
Sheffield & Hallamshire Flourish League
Against an inexperienced Sheffield FC side, the Game Changer side, wearing red, swept their Flourish League opposition aside. The hosts had the advantage of shooting uphill in the first half and took full advantage by leading 7-1 at the break.
Like the day before, the hosts took the lead inside five minutes when they were rewarded with a penalty following a foul on Brandon Jones. Dean Noble stepped up and got the better of the keeper, firing straight down the middle.
The Reds doubled their lead on 10 minutes after Tom Watson worked well on the left flank, intercepting the ball before his mazy run saw him play Jones through and he kept his composure to superbly finish past the keeper.
The hosts were on fire as they tripled their score moments later. Crawford was unfortunate to see his powerful effort cannon off the crossbar with Sheffield clearing at the expense of a corner. Brett Hanson took the resulting set-piece and after the visitors cleared, Crawford collected the ball and curled home an effort from the edge of the area as the ball sailed past the keeper.
Jones made it five on 20 minutes and two minutes later, after Watson broke away on a counterattack. He tried to feed Jones in the final third, but a defender slid the ball past his own keeper: 6-0. At the other end, Sheffield FC pulled a goal back on the half hour mark after keeper Scott Crawford spilled a cross and the visitors took advantage from close range.
However, on 32 minutes, the Reds were rewarded a penalty after Jones was again fouled in the box. Crawford didn't fail to secure his hat-trick and give the hosts a six-goal advantage. As the first half drew to a close the visitors threatened and following a good cross, Lewis cleared off the line to spare Crawford's blushes.
The second half saw the goals continue as a sturdy defensive rarely saw the opposition threaten the final third, and on the odd occasion that they break the Reds defence, Crawford was on hand to collect or clear any danger. On 53 minutes, after Dean Crawford and Joe Deakin saw efforts fly over the bar, a speculative long range free kick from Watson got the better of the keeper as the hosts continued with a wave of attacks.
The hosts ran away with the game as the visitors offered little in the final third. They netted their ninth goal after Brandon Jones took advantage of keeper Crawford's long kick which evaded the defence before Jones slipped the ball past the opposition stopper. Ryan Hunter saw his long-range free kick float over the keeper and into the top of the net before Callum finished from close range with a cheeky back heel to wrap up the drumming.
Team: Scott Crawford, Brett Hanson, Matthew Townsend, Lewis Ripley, Kyle Lazenby, Dean Noble, Joe Deakin, Levi Wilkinson, Thomas Watson, Dean Crawford, Brandon Jones. Substitutes: Callum Brown, Cameron Harrison, Paul Holland, Ryan Hunter, Liam Potter, Sheldon Keeling, Jordan Riley, and Jamie Moore.
Comments