Having enjoyed some games in the Sheffield and Hallamshire County League last season I thought I would visit the Premier Division leaders, after three games, Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club FC.
Oughtibridge is 5 miles north of Sheffield City centre and is now a commuter town as its industry has faded away. Still very much a farming area it is reached passing fields and you approach the ground downhill towards the bridge over the river Don and a concreted lane winding through trees next to the river and past a weir. As you pass down the lane the ground opens up to a car park bordered by the Don and to the left a large open park with a junior pitch in the forefront, an extensive cricket square in the centre and a full sized football pitch on the far side. One side of the park is housing and the other two sides are flanked with trees. To the left is a clubhouse built to look down on the cricket pitch and some way from the football.
Everywhere was lush green except for the cricket pitch that has had a hard season and has been repaired to recover for next summer. The trees were also green, not turning to their autumn colours yet although the 14 degrees temperature, the low sun and that seasonal feel made you realise that the summer was well over. The mixed sky of blue, white and black clouds contrasted the green.
The football pitch had a great long, thick grass cover, sloped slightly from end to end with plenty of undulations.
The Oughtibridge War Memorial Social Club was opened in 1921, the clubhouse was rebuilt in 2007 after the river Don floods. I have been unable to find a history of the football club.
South Emsall were formed in 2007 originally playing in local Doncaster Leagues. They joined the Sheffield and Hallamshire League in 2013 and are reigning Division one champions.
Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club v South Emsall Services Firsts
Saturday 23rd September Kick off 15.00 pm
Sheffield and Hallamshire County League – Premier Division.
1st v 11th. Bridge v Soldiers
Oughtibridge, yellow shirts with black sleeves and black shorts; South Emsall claret shirts with light blue sleeves and claret shorts.
I sat down on a low wall and within two minutes the visitors were ahead when Kilmartin curled a free kick, from just to the left of the goalkeeping area, into the net. Although the keeper managed to touch it his positioning was at fault. Not learning from the first goal a foul was committed from a similar range but this time the post stopped it from being two nil.
South Emsall were attacking strongly with through balls past a rigid back line of the defenders and one of these found Cam Kilmartin who ran on to draw the keeper and roll the ball into the corner for a two goal lead. Although the game was fast and furious it was South Emsall who had all of the control and Oughtibridge’s unbeaten start to the season looked doomed.
On 24 minutes, 4 minutes after going two behind, Oughtibridge pegged one back when the away keeper failed to clear the ball which fell to David Shepherd who buried it into the net.
Oughtibridge now started to exert more pressure but their cause was not helped when on 28 minutes a player was sin binned for a hard tackle that was a level above the on going battle. With a man down Oughtibridge continued to press until half time.
From the restart Cam Kilmartin of Emsall was still a handful yet Oughtibridge were pressing the strongest.
This pressure unfortunately caught them out when South Emsall’s captain, Mark Lynch, raced almost half of the pitch and despite defenders trying desperately to stop him he stayed on his feet and rolled the ball past the advancing goalkeeper for a third goal.
Oughtibridge’s continued possession till the end of the game brought them few if any scoring chances and their winning run was over.
Oughtibridge War Memorial Sports Club 1 South Emsall United Services 3
South Elmsall impressed me and I can only think that they will soon be climbing the league to challenge near the top. Their number 8, Cam Kilmartin, continued his impressive scoring feats having now scored 50 goals in 50 games with a further 38 assists, some record.
A crowd of about 30 plus walked away from the pitch towards the clubhouse in the waning autumn sun. In a few weeks time it will be either earlier kick offs or the floodlights on a Saturday afternoon.
There were no chips available so a coffee and chunky Kitkat had to suffice.
.
payonthegate 