It had been a long time coming. Since the football club was formed in November 2022, many months of hard work, drills, and the consistency of walking away in defeat – the Game Changer FC team, finally, won a match. There have been many ‘what ifs,’ and ‘maybe’s’ during there journey thus. It has seemed, perhaps, with some exaggeration, more enduring that Bilbo Baggins expedition across the Shire to Mordor. But a workmanlike performance against Doncaster based club, Sands United, earned the Oranges there first ever victory, after (approximately), 25 matches!
Due to other commitments, the Changer team was without several players; Jesse Payne, Joe Deakin, and Paul Holland, were all absent. Meanwhile, Jack Riley made his debut for the Oranges. Despite their defeat it is worth mentioning the valuable community work that Sands carry out in supporting families with the loss of their babies.
Sands United 6-8 Game Changer Sunday, 30th July 2023 – KO: 13:30 PM Friendly Match
Game Changer XI | Substitutes |
Liam Cole | Levi Wilkinson |
Connor Jones | Ryan Hunter |
Matthew Townsend (c) | Liam Potter |
Michael Gibson | Josh Payne |
Brett Hanson | |
Jack Riley | Manager |
Sam Taylor | Jamie Moore |
Jamie Moore | |
Kevin Laws | |
Dean Crawford | |
Chris Gibson | |
An impressive display saw the visitors lead at the break by three goals to two. Perhaps, more encouraging was that the side never trailed the match, although, there was a scare then the score was drawn level at 3-3 early in the second half before extending into a sailable lead. Dean Crawford was impressive throughout and was worthy of his Man of the Match award after netting four goals – his first for the club.
Sands United was complimentary regarding Game Changer’s playing ability; ‘A young energetic team who played with a real determination to come and get the result,’ they posted on their social media page.
The Game Changer side showed their metal in the early exchanges. As early as the second minute Jamie Moore saw his low drive kept out by the keeper. The hosts struggled to compete with the Oranges pace throughout the game, although, the hosts created several opportunities but failed score.
Gavin Frost was called into action to give treatment to an injured Moore, who was forced to exit the match at an early stage.
Although the hosts responded, the visitors took the lead through Chris Gibson’s strike before Kevin Laws netted his second goal in as many games. Prior to the break, Crawford netted his first goal of the game.
The hosts were level shortly after the break, but it wasn’t long before Crawford regained the lead with his effort that landed in the top corner. Sam Taylor added the visitors fifth after a poorly defended corner saw the midfielder score and send the Oranges into a two-goal lead for what was his first goal for the club.
Crawford completed his hat-trick after finishing from a corner before he headed home Josh Payne’s splendid cross – after captain, Matthew Townsend, rounded an opposition player to tee up the winger for his assist. Sands pulled a goal back before Brandon Jones netted the visitors eighth goal ten minutes from time to put the game beyond the hosts.
The Oranges defence were formidable throughout, despite conceding six goals. Even after making substitutions, defender Liam Potter, excelled in producing two last ditch sliding tackles. However, the hosts netted twice in the final ten minutes to set up a tense finish – one of which was an unfortunate own goal from Townsend, but the visitors did enough to see out the remaining minutes and secure their first victory.
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