Couples Retreats, confrontations between the spectators on the sides and a venue with no available parking spots. Just your standard away trip then....

We'll start with the reason for DOD and why I'm writing the match report. Let me paint a picture, a family weekend away, getting ready to travel to the match from your booked AirBnB only to discover the initials on the match shirt you've packed read "RL" and not "AL". The top was a tad snug, it probably could've been worn but there was severe risk of belly popping out with any type of dynamic movement. Thankfully for everyone watching the game, Mike was able to provide a spare MENS top.

The opposition were kind enough to give us an evening fixture rather than an afternoon fixture. I guess it would've been unreasonable for their L3s fixture to maybe had have this match slot given their opposition were having to travel such a great distance from the other side of Sheffield..... Despite the late start and lengthy journey we had a full complement of 16 to go into battle with.

Paddy led us on a hilly pre-match warm up in their car park - in his defence there doesn't appear to be anywhere flat in Sheffield. During warm up, a couple of the OG spotted a familiar face from years gone by - shout out to Findlay Green - who was playing up a team as their 3s had their fixture cancelled.

Pre-game pitch time was minimal, partly due to the pitch's packed schedule and also due to the fact the pitch sprinklers seemed to be on the half of the pitch we warmed up on for quite a period of time and the aim even seemed to be following the boys for where we were warming up. This didn't stop the boys getting focused and getting their eye in during the warm up, even a few strikes flying past Dino for a change too!

Warm-up complete it was time for the action to kick off. On a speedy and bouncy pitch the action was lightning fast from the first whistle. Sheffield earned the first chance from a PC, nobody on the pitch being quite sure what it was given for. Indeed, even the Sheffield striker was urging the umpire to give a 16 before one of their mid's came in to get him to shut up as and I quote "these f**kers won't do this for us". The PC stood and the level/tone of sportsmanship for the match had been set - no surprise the first card of the game was a Sheffield yellow for physical play then. Ultimately the PC was dealt with by Dino, first dealing with the drag flick and then a brilliant reaction save on a follow up strike. The play from both sides was slick. Newcastle working the wide spaces well and Sheffield to their credit with some neat 1-2 passes to move through the lines.

It would be Newcastle who would get on the scoresheet first though with just a couple of minutes to go before the half time whistle. A skipped power pass from John found Lecky with just enough room to guide a neat reverse stick deflection into the bottom corner from near the top of the D.

Newcastle would extend their lead in the second half, a neat move worked the ball down the leff with Ed finding Joe M out wide on the left wing. He would drive inside and then find Lawson on the baseline, a great supporting run from James seemed like it was going to result in a goal but alas the ball evaded him. Luckily however it did make it's way to Dan arriving in the D who's shot was heading towards an unguarded goal until it glanced a foot and re-directed back over to Lawson. Lots of screams were heard for a P flick but the umpire chose to play advantage which was ultimately a birlliant call as Lawson was able to control and then roof a flick to double the lead.

Goal scoring chances were exchanged until then with 15 minutes to go Sheffield were finally able to find a way past Dino. There was nothing he could do in this instance as a Sheffield forward was left totally unmarked for a tap in at back post. The inquest in to how a player was left open in such a position is still ongoing!

A John green card would quickly follow, quite a cynical tackle in his own 23 saw the foul upgraded to a PC, potentially a good foul for the team ultimately as their PC would come to nothing.

Their next PC however saw them work a back post deflection for the ball to then hit John on the goal line. Penalty Stroke awarded. Despite Dino's imposing physical stature the Sheffiled player was able to squeeze the ball in, Dino coming very close to making the save with his head.

Having turned potential victories into defeats in fixtures earlier in the season the boys were keen to ensure we at least left Yorkshire with something and secure a first away point of the season. The risks going forward were now more calculated and we were able to bag a point. A shame to let a 2 goal lead slip but taking something away from this trip was important as it is likely the sides below us in the table will leave Sheffield empty handed. Sheffield after all were in the league above prior to this season.

Next up is a home game vs Ben Rhydding where with a victory we can close right up behind them in the standings.

Match report by Alex Lawson