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Tadcaster Magnets v Dringhouses

6.30pm  27 April 2015

York League, Premier Division
Tadcaster Magnets 3 Dringhouses 2 (att 33)

Not for the first time this season I was impressed by a visit to a game in the York League, a competition that's not really been on my groundhopping radar previously.

The Magnet Sports and Social Club, primarily for employees of the huge John Smith's brewery which dominates the town, used to host West Yorkshire League football, but I never got there before the club left the league.

Company sports grounds like this are increasingly rare these days, with few businesses prepared to subsidise them. I've no idea what the funding arrangements are for the Magnet ground, but, judging by the condition of the football and cricket pitches, I assume a proffessional groundsman (or woman) is employed.

The tree-lined football pitch has dugouts and is surrounded by a plastic post and rail fence. A picturesque pavilion is nearby, but at angle that benefits cricket enthusiasts more than football fans.

The game was a mid table battle with little at stake, and it showed in a dull and lifeless first half. By contrast the second period was great, I didn't hear Dringhouses half-time team talk but judging by their performance I guess it was along the line of encouraging all out attack to win the game.

The visitors attacked relentlessly, but were unlucky in front of goal and the Magnets keeper made some fine saves. They were undone at the back after 74 minutes with Magnets went in front, and 60 second later the hosts were 2-0 up.

Dringhouses refused to give up, and looked to have got their deserved reward when two late goals made 2-2, only for Magnets to score a stoppage time winner, that might have been offside, to take the points.

If only all meaningless end-of-season fixtures could be like the second half of this one.










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