Parkgate F.C. - The Steelmen

The kick off was delayed by ten minutes due to floodllight failure moments before kick off and when play was started the problem was the ferocious wind which was howling toward the Parkgate goal.

Arnold Town looked to capitalise on the conditions and worked to hit the ball deep to squeeze and pressure Parkgate as the Steelmen struggled to get out of their half in the opening exchanges. The in-form Jamie Bailey was called into action early doors with a fine reflex save from a shot on the turn by Tristram Whittham.

In the 17th minute Arnold opened the scoring with a deft finish by Liam Garner from 15 yards but almost immediately Parkgate took control of the game despite the incessant howling wind in their faces.

Nathan Forbes-Swindells saw an effort hit the post whilst Danny Barlow had a shot whistle by ex-Steelmen Martin Kearney’s post. Parkgate fought and scrapped for possession and had to play there way into Arnold’s half as high clearances simply looped back toward their backline.

On the half hour mark Forbes-Swindells flicked on for Worsfold who forced Kearny into a great stretching save but in the 42nd minute Forbes-Swindells went one better and after a good run along the edge of the penalty area squeezed a shot low inside the near post for a deserved equaliser.

The second half saw the wind die down slightly but still effecting the contest somewhat. Both teams set about cancelling each other out with early chances at a premium. However, it was Arnold’s Garner who headed the home side in front after 54 minutes with his second of the game after a lovely cross by Fabian Smith.

Parkgate looked undeterred by the setback and pushed hard for a second equaliser with skipper Matt Griffin heading over a Cardwell throw before great work by winger Matt Outram led to an obvious handball by an Arnold Town defender for a penalty which Ashley Worsfold converted with ease with 68 minutes on the clock.

Once again Arnold Town managed to regain the lead only 4 minutes later with substitute Josh Schofield’s opportunistic shot sliding home. The game turned scrappy with a flurry of yellow cards for both teams but Parkgate have a genuine appetite for a battle and refuse to give up on a game and this showed as Griffin guided a looping header into the net from a deep Worsfold cross for their third equaliser of the game with only 4 minutes of the game remaining.

However it was Arnold Town who had the last say in this incredible game with a last gasp goal from Luke Smithson he pounced on a rebound to scramble home with seconds remaining.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the Steelmen as a draw was probably a fair result but they will by vying to bounce back on Saturday (14th) as they travel to Armthorpe Welfare looking to return to winning ways.


TEAMS

PARKGATE FC

Jamie Bailey, Robert Ludlam, Matt Outram, Danny Barlow (Janni Lipka ’64), Joe Jerrison, Nicky Darker, Nathan Forbes-Swindells, Danny Cardwell (Joe Leesley ’70), Kier Hannity, Ashley Worsfold, Kier Hannity

SUB NOT USED Danny Major, Liam Davis, Chris Wood

ARNOLD TOWN

Martin Kearney, Tyrone Burton (Josh Schofield ’64), Sam Leggitt, Phillip Buxton, Callum Mason, Joe Wood, Tristram Whittam (Luke Smithson ’75), Liam Garner, Ryan Whitehurst, Fabian Smith, Daniel Gordon


ATTENDANCE 95