On 10th October 2009 I visited Parkgate’s home, the Roundwood Sports Complex, to watch them face Scarborough Athletic in the Koolsport North Counties East League Premier Division. Scarborough Athletic were top of the league coming into this match.

It was a lovely sunny day and after reading the fixture lists we finally settled on Parkgate vs Scarborough Athletic. Scarborough came into this game top of the league having won their last 9 games in a row.

The journey to the ground went smoothly and we arrived about 45 minutes before kick off. On arrival we went for a drink in the bar and bought a programme which was very good quality. After leaving the bar we went into the ground and took some photos, which took up the time leading up to kick off. The ground itself was good for this level with a small seating area running halfway down one of the areas behind the goal and steps and grass banks around the rest of the ground.

Scarborough were well supported at this match, as they had been all season, and I struggled to spot a Parkgate fan amongst the 200 in attendance and it was almost a home game for Scarborough! Scarborough were clearly the better side and dominated the early stages of the match. After 13 minutes Scarborough took the lead from a David Kemp header straight from a corner.

Scarborough hit the bar twice but failed to double their lead and gave away a penalty on the 31st minute and Lee McMahon stuck the ball in the top corner out of reach of the Scarborough goalkeeper to level the match at 1-1.On the stroke of half time Scarborough regained the lead from Craig Hogg when Hogg stole the ball off the keeper and put the ball into an empty net.

During half time we walked as far round as we could and got plenty more photos. By the start of the second half we stood behind the net Scarborough were shooting towards as that was where we were expecting most of the action to be.

The second half began slowly and there was only a few chances until the 70th minute when Parkgate equalised once again. Chris Spooner just seemed to kick the ball high into the air towards goal and as the ball came down it beat the keeper and went straight into the net. Almost immediately however, Scarborough took the lead for the third time as Mark Griffin slid the ball past the Parkgate keeper from close range much to the delight to most of the fans at the ground!

However there was more late drama to come. Scarborough had two very good chances within minutes of each other but failed to put either of them away and despite dominating the match they were punished on th 88th minute as the the ball fell to Sean Hamstead and he fired the ball into the net from quite a way out.

Parkgate had been outclassed for most of the match but stole the three points with the last touch of the ball when a free kick was whipped into the box in stoppage time and David Kippax headed the ball home to shock the Scarborough fans.

I had a great day at Parkgate, the match had been an absolute classic with 7 goals and the ground was nice too.

See photos below.

Outside the ground

The seating area

I hold up a Scarborough Athletic scarf (we failed to find anyone with a Parkgate scarf)

My Dad and me hold up the Scarborough flag

The captains shake hands before kick off

The first goal is  headed home

The Scarborough players celebrate taking a 1-0 lead

Parkgate equalise from the penalty spot

A Scarborough Athletic flag

Some of the 200 fans stand on the grass bank to watch the match

The ground overlooks Rotherham

The Parkgate players celebrate equalising again to make it 2-2

Scarborough make it 3-2 just a minute after Parkgate equalised

Dissapointed fans leave the ground after watching their team lose a game they should have won

Walking away from the ground after the match