Derby Fails To Take Flight - Swallownest vs. Parkgate

Looking towards the big drop down to Sheffield

I had my sister's wedding up north this weekend and this meant it'd be the standard North East Counties or Central Midlands League match on the Saturday. It was a choice between Swallownest in the NCEL or Retford in the CMFL with the former winning, leaving the later for a midway meet up with my Dad in the future. The game at Swallownest also had the appeal of being a derby with visitors Parkgate being based a mere eight miles away. Both sides were having average seasons, sitting right next to each other in midtable with Swallownest winning the reverse fixture three one. This is only Swallownest's second season at this level following promotion from The Sheffield and Hallamshire League and they look well at home on and off the pitch.

Kick off in the Yorkshire sun

As the headline suggests the game isn't the most thrilling. Swallownest best chance of the half comes when the forward is found in space in the box but his header is straight at the keeper. Parkgate have a couple chances without failing to seriously to trouble the Swallownest keeper as the half ends goaless.

Swallownest ball in the first half with one of the stands just behind the goal

Parkgate come close at the start of the second with a header from a free kick that is well saved. Then from the resulting corner comes the match winning moment. The corner is put right into the six yard box and is inexplicably put into his own net by the Swallownest defender. The best chance for an equaliser is when the forward is put in with a long pass but his shot goes wide.

Parkgate attacking in the first half

To get to Swallownest from London you need to take a train from St Pancras to Sheffield which takes a little over two hours. Then from the interchange across the road from the station you can take one of the X5, X54 or X55 into Swallownest in about twenty minutes. We were travelling in the car so stopped off at The Yellow Lion which is just off the motorway and had a couple of ales. The best pub of the day was The Robin Hood which had a selection of ales and served good looking food. The clubhouse had a good selection of beers as well as the sports channels. Everyone at the club was very welcoming and it looks like all the hard work they've put into the ground and set up in general is really paying off.

Wing play in front of the stand