10-10-2015, 20:41
On non league day it was only fair that I should venture out and watch a game of grass roots football, deciding where to go was fairly easy as I decided to get a new ground in, So Barrow in Furness it was to watch a North West Counties Division 2 game between Holker Old Boys and Irlam FC.
It cost me a whole £2 to enter the Rakesmoor Lane ground cannot beat OAP concession, a pint cost £2.80 and was as you say in the trade a decent brew, friendly people behind the bar as well. The ground is a bit spartan suspect watching a game on here in the middle of December could be a bit of an ordeal only disappointing thing today was the majestic lake district hills were slightly hidden under a thin covering of cloud.
As is the was with non league ground there is a bit of a slope on the ground, not as bad as some I've seen. The home side kicked uphill in the first half and were soon dominating against the Manchester visitors, ex Lancaster player Dave Swarbrick hit the post with a crunching shot and another ex Lancaster player Mike Rushden had a glorious chance getting into the box, he could have shot or passed to the unmarked Swarbrick did neither and the chance was gone. It was their last chance for a while as Irlam came into the game with their good passing style, they had several chances to score but found the Old Boys keeper in good form, when he was beaten in the first half he was saved by the crossbar. The only surprise about the game was that it was 0 all at half time.
Early stages of the second half were dominated by Irlam, they should have gone ahead when a diving header five yards out failed to hit the target, the visitors were getting plenty of joy down the Old Boys left flank but still could not find a way through the home defence. After the initial onslaught the Old Boys gradually began to get the better of exchanges and were unlucky twice not to go ahead, the No 6 turned the defender in the box and then curled a shot against the inside of the post it didnot go in minutes later Swarbrick escaped the attention of the defence and saw his goal bound shot cleared from the line by a defender.Against the run of play Irlam took the lead, an attack from the right led to a shot which was only parriewd by the keeper, Russell could not and did not miss.
Parity was restored six minutes later when Hubbold curled a left footed free kick into the top corner of the net, both sides went for the winner but neither side could make another breakthrough. Personal view was a fair result.
If you are tempted to venture to the Holker ground go when it is warmer and you have plenty of daylight to drive home, was a tad chilly yup there and the A590 isn't the best of roads to drive on in the dark.
Apologies for lack of player names only knew the ex Lancaster contingent.
Holker Old Boys 1 Irlam FC 1 Att 34
It cost me a whole £2 to enter the Rakesmoor Lane ground cannot beat OAP concession, a pint cost £2.80 and was as you say in the trade a decent brew, friendly people behind the bar as well. The ground is a bit spartan suspect watching a game on here in the middle of December could be a bit of an ordeal only disappointing thing today was the majestic lake district hills were slightly hidden under a thin covering of cloud.
As is the was with non league ground there is a bit of a slope on the ground, not as bad as some I've seen. The home side kicked uphill in the first half and were soon dominating against the Manchester visitors, ex Lancaster player Dave Swarbrick hit the post with a crunching shot and another ex Lancaster player Mike Rushden had a glorious chance getting into the box, he could have shot or passed to the unmarked Swarbrick did neither and the chance was gone. It was their last chance for a while as Irlam came into the game with their good passing style, they had several chances to score but found the Old Boys keeper in good form, when he was beaten in the first half he was saved by the crossbar. The only surprise about the game was that it was 0 all at half time.
Early stages of the second half were dominated by Irlam, they should have gone ahead when a diving header five yards out failed to hit the target, the visitors were getting plenty of joy down the Old Boys left flank but still could not find a way through the home defence. After the initial onslaught the Old Boys gradually began to get the better of exchanges and were unlucky twice not to go ahead, the No 6 turned the defender in the box and then curled a shot against the inside of the post it didnot go in minutes later Swarbrick escaped the attention of the defence and saw his goal bound shot cleared from the line by a defender.Against the run of play Irlam took the lead, an attack from the right led to a shot which was only parriewd by the keeper, Russell could not and did not miss.
Parity was restored six minutes later when Hubbold curled a left footed free kick into the top corner of the net, both sides went for the winner but neither side could make another breakthrough. Personal view was a fair result.
If you are tempted to venture to the Holker ground go when it is warmer and you have plenty of daylight to drive home, was a tad chilly yup there and the A590 isn't the best of roads to drive on in the dark.
Apologies for lack of player names only knew the ex Lancaster contingent.
Holker Old Boys 1 Irlam FC 1 Att 34
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