Three days following their impressive 8-6 victory over Sands United (South Yorkshire), Game Changer FC returned to Doncaster where they completed another scalp. On this occasion the Oranges were 4-1 victors over The Old George – played on the Doncaster Town Playing Fields.
A first-half brace each from Brandon Jones and Jesse Payne was enough to secure a second consecutive victory. Despite applying further pressure, the visitors were left disappointed to not extend their goals tally whilst also failing to keep a clean sheet in a game which Man of the Match, Liam Lowes played out a sensational match in goal for the Oranges.
As far as pre-season friendlies goes, this was certainly one of the interesting ones. Playing near the centre of Doncaster, in a large park, the pitch was clearly well maintained but there were no line markings. The opposition had one set of goal nets after one set was unfortunately stolen and there were no corner flags – making conditions difficult for the referee, who competently managed the game from start to finish.
The Old George 1-4 Game Changer Wednesday, 2nd August 2023 – KO: 19:00 PM Friendly Match
Game Changer XI | Substitutes |
Liam Cole | Paul Holland |
Ryan Hunter | Jamie Moore |
Matthew Townsend (C) | Liam Potter |
Michael Gibson | Connor Jones |
Brett Hanson | Tyler Priestley |
Levi Wilkinson | |
Sam Taylor | Manager |
Brandon Jones | Jamie Moore |
Kevin Laws | |
Dean Crawford | |
Jesse Payne | |
There was little to decide from what was an even contest in the early exchanges. The visitors, however, came close after ten minutes from Levi Wilkinson's free kick from the edge of the area, which fizzed past the upright.
Old George fired a tame effort from outside the box but, at the other end, the Oranges forced a succession of corners. Unfortunately, they came to nothing but did put the wind up the opposition who had to defend stoutly.
The hosts slowly came into the game and came close when a ball across the box narrowly failed to find the bottom corner. However, moments later, on 25 minutes, the visitors took the lead. Jones picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park and his 20-yard drive proved too hot to handle for the keeper.
Payne thought that he had handed the Oranges two-goal lead moments later but was agonisingly denied by an offside flag. They did, however, double their lead 28 minutes when Payne did have the ball in the net after his neat chip after breaching the defence was enough to beat a smothering keeper.
Game Changer tripled their lead six minutes later and then made it four within a minute. Firstly, Jones headed home Kevin Laws in swinging corner at the near post, before Payne took advantage of Jones’ through ball, got the better if his defender before slotting past the keeper.
Five minutes before the break the Oranges came close to adding to their advantage after being awarded a free kick on edge of the box. Brett Hanson's set-piece was cleared off line in a congested area. At the other end, the hosts squandered an excellent opportunity from a square ball but failed to convert.
On the stroke of half-time, Dean Crawford, who netted four goals in the last fixture, almost added a fifth. After collecting Payne's ball through, one on one, he dragged his effort wide of the mark, insisting he; “kicked the floor."
The Changer team began the second half as they finished the first. Crawford saw an effort from distance narrowly fly over the top, and Payne flashed a shot wide as the visitors continued to create opportunities in the opposition’s final third. At the other end, Lowes saved a goal bound effort at his near post.
Payne was denied a hat-trick after he again breached the defence, but his effort hit the post before the keeper kept out his rebound.
The visitors failed to add to their tally in the second half, but it wasn't for the want of trying. The hosts pulled a goal back on 65 minutes after beating Lowes at his near post, before Payne was left frustrated with several offside decisions.
However, the hosts failed to cause the Changer team any concern and were able to ride out the final minutes and secure their second consecutive victory.
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