Further works were carried out at Park Road in the summer of 2014, to enhance what was already a nice venue.
We reached the village, which is just a few miles from Barnsley, in good time where we parked at the ground and searched out a pub as the clubhouse wasn't yet open. We found a nice, if slightly expensive place back up the hill before returning to the small but friendly clubhouse. Many Seadogs were in good spirits and enjoying the hospitality. Some had visited The Ship pub and were promised free food after the game if they returned after the game.
The Park Road ground shared its facilities with the cricket club who are based at the top end. The Clubhouse End contained the changing rooms and a raised path which gave a good view of the pitch. There was a big slope from the road down to the playing area. Young Marcus had me kicking the ball up the hill to him while he tapped it back down to me. The stone wall at the top was only about 4 feet high which meant passers by stopped and watched some of the action for free!
The ground is easily flooded owing to it been in a valley and a river and weir being located next to the ground. The club battled on despite being hit badly with floods the previous summer and attracting very few supporters. Aside from the cricket pitch and clubhouse ends, the ground has a narrow terrace and cover along the river side and a Main Stand on the top of a bank along the other. It is certainly very pleasing on the eye.
The home side put in an excellent performance on the pitch and should have been awarded a penalty at 0-0. Boro eventually took control and eased to a 3-0 victory. Ryan Morton put in a very impressive performance on his debut while the other highlight was watching the alternative ball boy in action. The ball cleared the cover and went into the river. He went through a gate in the fence and produced a small fishing net on the end of a long pole and proceeded to knock the ball free from some rocks and spoon it out as it got alongside him (see the picture of him about to get into action)!
All in all a good and recommended day out. Our car certainly had a top day as did the passengers of the supporters bus as the landlord of The Ship stuck to his promise and provided free sausages and chips!
No comments:
Post a Comment