Rotherham United Communities 7-2 Game Changer FC

Game Changer faced a Rotherham United Communities side in the wake of a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Sheffield Trinity yesterday in the Sheffield & Hallamshire Fair Play League – though there were many positives taken from the game, it left The Oranges without a point from their opening two Fair Play League fixtures.

They set aside their league involvement and embarked on their first mission in the Flourish League Cup (Round 1), against The Millers in Canklow, before they host Hillsborough RvB in the Flourish League next Sunday – sandwiched either side of a Fair Play League clash at home to Sheffield International.

They were, unfortunately, dumped out of the cup at the first time. After conceding and weathering an early storm, the visitors levelled through Jack Riley – taking an advantage of a defensive error to level. Riley missed an opportunity from the penalty spot before further goals from United. The Oranges pulled a goal back late in the second half through Dean Crawford’s intervention, but it wasn’t enough. The visitors were left disappointed but will, undoubtedly, gain experience for futures matches!

Rotherham United Communities 7-2 Game Changer FC Sunday, 10th September 2023 – KO: 12:00 Flourish League Cup Round One

Game Changer XI (4-3-3)	​Substitutes
Liam Cole	Paul Holland
Ryan Hunter	Jamie Moore
Matt Townsend (c)	Michael Gibson
Liam Potter	Chris Gibson
Brett Hanson
Levi Wilkinson
Kevin Laws	Manager
Leo Markham	Jamie Moore
Josh Payne
Jack Riley	Physio
Dean Crawford	Gavin Frost

Game Changer had the kick-off, but it was the hosts who twice created opportunities in the opening five minutes as they took control of the opening exchanges. With sight of goal the first shot was fired straight at keeper Liam Cole before, moments later, another shot flashed wide of goal.

The Oranges came close moments later through Kevin Laws lobbed volley which bounced off the crossbar from distance.

However, the ball was in the back of the net on 8 minutes as the hosts took the lead. A deep cross to the far post evaded Cole and the Millers striker had the goal at his mercy to finish. United did have the ball in the back of the net again moments later but the referee disallowed due to an infringement on Matt Townsend.

However, it was all-square on 13 minutes after the Oranges took advantage of a defensive error. The stopper collected a squandered effort from Josh Payne on the edge of the area. He threw the ball out to his defender, but a stay pass was presented into the path of Riley, who had an empty net to aim at to score the simplest of goals.

The Millers retook the lead on 18 minutes after breaking away a Game Changer attack - allowing the winger (#3) to break free and his pass into the box was cleverly finished. Four minutes later the hosts netted a third after the tricky winger got the better of his marker, turned Ryan Hunter, before driving hard and low past Coles.

The Oranges was presented with an opportunity to get back into the game after goal scorer Riley was tripped by the keeper. Riley stepped up but his tame effort was saved by the stopper.

From them on the game went flat, though Laws came close from a free kick from the edge of area, but the keeper saved his effort. At the other end the hosts came close after a goal bound header was booted off the line by Levi Wilkinson.

The visitors made an enforced change after Matt Townsend was injured following a rash challenge and was replaced by Paul Holland.

Before the referee blew for half-time the hosts extended their lead after an attacking player drew a foul from substitute Holland inside the D. From the resulting set-piece the Millers attacker lifted the ball over the wall as the ball hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced over the line.

Game Changer defended stoutly in the second half though was unable to prevent the hosts from scoring three further goals.

The hosts tucked home from close range in a one on one after a ball through breached the defence. They headed home from a corner before, with ten minutes remaining, the visitors pulled one back. After being awarded a foul on the edge of the area, Laws shot crashed against the crossbar for the second time, before Crawford volleyed home the rebound.

Rotherham added a seventh moments from time, but the second half was somewhat scrappy, and the referee was forced to dish out cautions to the hosts.

Midfielder Kevin Laws, frustratingly, sees his well taken free-kick saved by the keeper.