6.30pm 8 May 2024
Yorkshire Amateur League, Division Four
Hebden Bridge Saints 3 Lower Hopton reserves 4 (att 26)
A sure sign there was little a stake in this fixture, for the visitors at least, was that they apparently drew lots ahead of kick off to decide who was playing where.
They came out on top though, so perhaps it's a tactic worth repeating next season. It was Lower Hopton's final game of the season, whereas Hebden Bridge have a couple more matches left, but neither side had anything much to play for.
Despite that, and the away side's novel approach, it was an entertaining game for the neutral. Lower Hopton looked better from the start and deservedly took the lead, although Hebden Bridge were level by half time.
The visitors went back in front after the break. Any suggestion Hebden Bridge were coasting towards the season's end were dispelled by the strength of their complaints at being denied an equaliser after a belated offside call.
A third away goal looked to have settled the outcome, but Hebden Bridge struck back twice, including a penalty, to level the game at 3-3. That seemed a satisfactory ending, but Lower Hopton got a winner just a couple of minutes from time.
Hebden Bridge Saints play in Calder Holmes Park. It's just a pitch, roped off along one side, in a public park. But it's a scenic setting in a scenic town, and on a sunny spring evening it was a lovely place to watch an enjoyable game.
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