Damage in the Box!: HALL ROAD RANGERS (Dene Park)

Today was "non-league day" which is basically a campaign to encourage supporters of Premiership and Championship teams to go and take in a local non-league game, whilst there is a free Saturday due to the international break, in the hope it will make them want to return to watch another game.

I didn't need much encouragement to do just that!

My local game of choice was just a mere 150 miles east in the village of Dunswell, near Hull, where Hall Road Rangers were taking on Northern Counties East league rivals Brighouse Town in the 1st round proper of the FA Vase.

Dunswell has only one pub, the Ship Inn, which made an appearance in the 2012 GBG so pre-match was spent sampling a Great Newsome "Frothingham Best". The food smelt very tempting but as the clock was ticking towards 3pm, it couldn't be tasted.

Formed in 1959, Hall Road Rangers were founder members of the Northern Counties East League in 1982 and have been in the Premier Division since 2008.

In terms of league position, at the start of play it was 16th v 4th, so the form book would suggest an away victory. Unfortunately for Rangers, that's how it turned out.

The game got off to a flying start with three goals in the opening 12 minutes. Johnny Slater's heavily deflected free-kick gave the home side the lead after just 90 seconds but a Tom Matthews penalty brought the visitors level after 5 minutes (pictured left).

Matthews scored his and the Brighouse second goal after 12 minutes. The game was an open, end-to-end cup tie. The only surprise was that there were no further goals in the first half.

Rangers began the second period with purpose as they sought an equaliser but Nick Jagger scored after 65 minutes to extend the visitors lead, and effectively put the tie to bed.

As a torrential downpour began, Ryan Hall bagged a fourth after 71 minutes, Owen mountain gave Rangers a glimmer of hope when he made it 4-2 after 74 minutes but with 8 minutes remaining, Craig Billington scored a fifth for Brighouse.

Overall, it was an enjoyable cup tie and I'm sure any spectators encouraged to visit thanks to non-league day would not be put off returning based on what they saw today.

Anyhow, it is Brighouse who move into the next round of the Vase and Hall Road Rangers will have to concentrate on the league, as they say. Their next opponents at Dene Park? You guessed it, Brighouse Town!