Players v Fryston

6.15pm  13 April 2022

Wakefield and District League, Premier Division
Players 2 Fryston 1 (att 26)

Fryston's hopes of catching the league leaders were dealt a significant blow by this defeat, which kept Players' own slim title hopes alive.

The game was a slow burner. There were no goals and few chances in a forgettable first half, but it came to live when the home side took the lead about 10 minutes into the second period.

Fryston turned up the pressure on their hosts, and it looked to have paid off when they won a penalty. But the spot kick was well saved, and not longer later it was 2-0 to Players.

The visitors did get a goal back, but despite a frantic and at times fesity finale they couldn't manage an equaliser.

The defeat, only Fryston's second in the league this season, leaves them trailing leaders Ambience by 14 points but with four games in hand, and the pair still have to play each other.

Players' win sees them up to third, just a point behind Fryston but having played two games more. Both the sides above them will need to implode if they're to become champions.

I'm not sure of the origins of Players FC. They don't appear to have been in the league last season, but went straight into the premier division. Their home ground is a playing field built on the site of the former Lofthouse Colliery.

There are four pitches. They're all at different levels, which makes them feel more separate and means there's grass banking to provide an elevated view. A division two match was on one of the other pitches. Unusually, there's no changing rooms.