Shaw Lane Aquaforce chairman Craig Wood thanked his volunteers for getting the crunch Tadcaster game on
Craig Wood said his diehard volunteers were rewarded for a mammoth effort after Shaw Lane Aquaforce celebrated a huge 1-0 victory over title rivals Tadcaster Albion.
Aquaforce have been besieged by pitch problems since a Rugby Union match was played in wet conditions at the end of November at the Shaw Lane complex.
The pitch was left in a bad way and volunteers have worked night and day since to try and repair the damage.
It was passed fit early yesterday afternoon and Lee Morris’ second goal ensured a victory for one of the NCEL’s fastest-growing clubs.
Chairman Wood told Non League Yorkshire: “Since the Runcorn game (in November), we had the Bridlington game called off along with the Maltby game and we have had loads of volunteers up here.
“There must have been 50 tonne of sand gone down over the last six weeks to try and get that area (next to the stand) dried out.
“Everyone associated with the club has chipped in and being up here helping and I thank them all.
“It has been a massive effort from our volunteers, some of whom have spent all hours of the day on the pitch, in particular Doug O’Connor, John Wilson, Dave White and the staff and groundsman at Shaw Lane.
“As it turned out, it was well worth the effort. It was a massive game for us.
“When I looked out of my curtains in the morning and saw it was a bit wet, my heart kind of sunk and I thought are we going to get this game called off?
“It created a massive amount of interest and I think it was one of the most eagerly-anticipated games in the NCEL so far this season because of how many goals the clubs are scoring and where they are in the league.
“To get the game on was massive because everyone wanted to see the game.
“People were getting in touch with us asking if the game was on, people who we have never heard of before.
“People came from all over. We even got Doncaster Rovers fans who have got the bug.”