The latest chapter of my journey took me to the Barrett Steel Stadium to watch the local clash between Bottesford Town and Brigg Town. On arrival, I decided it would be a good idea to search out the clubhouse on what was a swelteringly hot day, the sort of day that called for refreshment. The club is a really nice little facility with in and outdoor seating- it appeared the outdoor seating was part of a birthday party this afternoon though- and the staff were very friendly and welcomed this random solo game goer. Once the refreshment was purchased, I made my way round into the ground ready for kick off.
As you enter the stadium, you are greeted with more food and drink facilities with a hatch for drinks and the kitchen for food. Alongside the kitchen there is a sheltered benched area and then the main stand where there is, again, benched seating. The rest of the ground is standing. There is something really nice about the standing as children were able to roam free and kick a football around whilst watching the game and were able to jump the wall and play football in the goals at half time. Something else that is enjoyable watching football at this level, alongside the game of course, is being able to hear the comments made by supporters. The older gentleman who kept shouting 'Come on Brigg' took me back about 25 years when I used to hear similar from those around me when watching my team, when they would offer their support when all around them were silent. I would, however, disagree with the young lads who felt that 'the goalie is a weirdo!'
The pitch itself was, as expected during this heatwave, very dry, rock hard and looked rather bumpy and combined with the high temperatures the players could perhaps be forgiven if they found the going tough. After a slight scrappy opening, the two sides became more confident on the pitch and, Brigg in particular, were getting the ball down and playing well. The first sight of goal came around 8 minutes in when some good play down Brigg's left lead to a half cleared cross being fired back against the crossbar. Brigg continued to play out from the back, predominantly down the left and put together a couple of nice pieces of play but with no end product. The opening half an hour did see a few potential threats with opportunities to cross and some tidy play but it was all square as we went in to the first drinks break. Brigg's central defensive pairing were dominant in the air, the two full backs tidy on the ball and they were well protected by the midfield 3 in front of them meaning that half time came with us still at 0-0 and the home side having not troubled new Brigg goalie Tom Collins.
As the second half started it appeared temperatures were increasing even further as some of the players started pushing and shoving in the centre of the pitch after a challenge they weren't best pleased with. The free kick was Bottesford's and this is where the opening goal of the game came from. The home side lost possession and, after a quick free kick of their own, Brigg were again in down their left with the cross finding Dayle Hutson who challenged the defender and somehow forced the ball into the net from around 6 yards out. It didn't take long for the visitors to double their lead when they managed to break in a 2 v 2 situation from the centre of the pitch and get at the Bottesford centre backs. They were somewhat fortunate that the poor through ball was rescued and rolled back to the right edge of the box where Alfie Usher rifled the ball across the keeper in the top left corner. It was a great start to the second half for Brigg. The Zebras kept going at their hosts and, less than two minutes after the second, went close with a long range effort that was comfortable turned aside by the goalie. They didn't have too long to wait before they scored again when, again down the left, Josh Batty cut inside his man and shot low into the opposite corner.
The game looked as if it was heading into something of a lull after the 3rd goal which you can't really blame anyone for with the game won and temperature continuing to increase. Bottesford did get a slight sight of goal around the 70 minute mark when a corner from the right was aimed for the back post where it was met with the head of one of Bottesford centre halves. He headed towards goal, the defender on the post blocked it andthe ball looped into the keeper’s hands. There was almost a carbon copy of this as the game went into the final ten minutes but this time the header was met low to the ground and bounced wide. Prior to their forays forward, Bottesford could have been 4 down but a smart save from their (very young looking) substitute goalkeeper had kept the score at 3-0. He came out well to the right of his area to make the block. It was, however, 4 with just a couple of minutes to go from a nicely worked move from Brigg that saw Josh Batty bag his second. The Brigg captain took control in midfield and rolled a ball into the forward who, with one touch, nudged it round the corned for the oncoming Batty to strike across the goalie.
As you enter the stadium, you are greeted with more food and drink facilities with a hatch for drinks and the kitchen for food. Alongside the kitchen there is a sheltered benched area and then the main stand where there is, again, benched seating. The rest of the ground is standing. There is something really nice about the standing as children were able to roam free and kick a football around whilst watching the game and were able to jump the wall and play football in the goals at half time. Something else that is enjoyable watching football at this level, alongside the game of course, is being able to hear the comments made by supporters. The older gentleman who kept shouting 'Come on Brigg' took me back about 25 years when I used to hear similar from those around me when watching my team, when they would offer their support when all around them were silent. I would, however, disagree with the young lads who felt that 'the goalie is a weirdo!'
The pitch itself was, as expected during this heatwave, very dry, rock hard and looked rather bumpy and combined with the high temperatures the players could perhaps be forgiven if they found the going tough. After a slight scrappy opening, the two sides became more confident on the pitch and, Brigg in particular, were getting the ball down and playing well. The first sight of goal came around 8 minutes in when some good play down Brigg's left lead to a half cleared cross being fired back against the crossbar. Brigg continued to play out from the back, predominantly down the left and put together a couple of nice pieces of play but with no end product. The opening half an hour did see a few potential threats with opportunities to cross and some tidy play but it was all square as we went in to the first drinks break. Brigg's central defensive pairing were dominant in the air, the two full backs tidy on the ball and they were well protected by the midfield 3 in front of them meaning that half time came with us still at 0-0 and the home side having not troubled new Brigg goalie Tom Collins.
As the second half started it appeared temperatures were increasing even further as some of the players started pushing and shoving in the centre of the pitch after a challenge they weren't best pleased with. The free kick was Bottesford's and this is where the opening goal of the game came from. The home side lost possession and, after a quick free kick of their own, Brigg were again in down their left with the cross finding Dayle Hutson who challenged the defender and somehow forced the ball into the net from around 6 yards out. It didn't take long for the visitors to double their lead when they managed to break in a 2 v 2 situation from the centre of the pitch and get at the Bottesford centre backs. They were somewhat fortunate that the poor through ball was rescued and rolled back to the right edge of the box where Alfie Usher rifled the ball across the keeper in the top left corner. It was a great start to the second half for Brigg. The Zebras kept going at their hosts and, less than two minutes after the second, went close with a long range effort that was comfortable turned aside by the goalie. They didn't have too long to wait before they scored again when, again down the left, Josh Batty cut inside his man and shot low into the opposite corner.
The game looked as if it was heading into something of a lull after the 3rd goal which you can't really blame anyone for with the game won and temperature continuing to increase. Bottesford did get a slight sight of goal around the 70 minute mark when a corner from the right was aimed for the back post where it was met with the head of one of Bottesford centre halves. He headed towards goal, the defender on the post blocked it andthe ball looped into the keeper’s hands. There was almost a carbon copy of this as the game went into the final ten minutes but this time the header was met low to the ground and bounced wide. Prior to their forays forward, Bottesford could have been 4 down but a smart save from their (very young looking) substitute goalkeeper had kept the score at 3-0. He came out well to the right of his area to make the block. It was, however, 4 with just a couple of minutes to go from a nicely worked move from Brigg that saw Josh Batty bag his second. The Brigg captain took control in midfield and rolled a ball into the forward who, with one touch, nudged it round the corned for the oncoming Batty to strike across the goalie.
On the final whistle, the players made their ways to the shade of the changing room but, for the away side, not before applauding supporters who made the short trip. It may only have been a friendly but it has made me want to get to Brigg to watch a league game and see how strongly they perform week in week out. From today, they look as if they have a good side and they would hope to be up at the top end of the league this coming season, I’m not usually exactly right with my predictions so I hope I haven’t jinxed them! Bottesford didn’t seem to get going in this match and hopefully they can start positively in their league campaign. I like the the set up they have at Bottesford and I certainly couldn’t have picked a nicer day to enjoy a beer and watch some football.
Player Focus
This was difficult! I was again dealing without a teamsheet either physically or digitally but there were a few players that stood out. Obviously Josh Batty knocking in two goals is a standout and it will be interesting to see how he fairs this season. I felt the Brigg captain seemed to marshall his side well and was quite heavily involved in some good play that the visitors put together as well as breaking up bits and pieces from Bottesford. A further stand out was the young Brigg number 17 who flung himself into several well timed challenges and kept pressing and chasing despite the heat.
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