[themaclad]

https://youtu.be/alaotlNOVZk


No do it from memory

[themaclad]

About 15 years ago the Lancashire Junior Cup was quite a competition to win, finals were always played at league grounds I have seen final at Deepdale, Ewood Park, Burnden Park, Wigan's old ground at Springfield Park with some really good games of football. As is the want of modern day football the better non league clubs in Lancashire tend to treat the competition as an irrelevance which is a shame really and tend to play weakened sides.
Lancaster went down this line last season playing thier reserves against Clitheroe and duly got spanked,this year given the change of management at the club the club seem to be making an attempt to try and go well in the competition, therefore last night they put out a strongish side against Darwen who play in the North West counties league 1 on league below Lancaster.
The 96 who turned up to watch the game got a decent 90 minutes, unlike some cup competitions which are played at half pace, this was full on committment from the begining.
Darwen started the brighter and on 10 minutes took the lead when Langford curled a shot around Hale from 18 yards, City struggled to get to grips playing against a very strong wind and against a very young side who were intent on doing a bit of damage to the side from the higher league, a furious pace to the game with the odd naughty challenge Marshall and Langford receiving a long lecture from the referee after a bit of head confrontation after a challenge.
City started to make progress and although had plenty of the ball the only effort of note was a Winder effort which went well over the bar.
On the half hour the dynamics of the game changed when Darwen's keeper Windle collided with a City forward and had too go of with concussion. Having no sub keeper, one of the central defenders went in goal. His first touch was to pick the ball out of the net as Clark potted home from close range following a corner. City went into the break 2-1 when Winder easily slotted home from 12 yards on the stroke of half time.
City were clueless in he second half failing to take the conditions into account and also Darwen's lack of a keeper, no efforts on target, Clark tried to dribble his way past the keeper but was forced wide and the chance was lost.
By now Darwen realised they had a chance of getting into the game and were by far the better team and deservedly were level on the hour when Coote headed home from a corner. Crosses into the box were causing City problems and they were hanging on against the visitors until 13 minutes to go when Hessian's powerful run took him past three players into the box his past found Hepple who found the net from 12 yards. A shock was on the cards as City racked up the pressure the sub keeper got lucky when a flicked header from his own defender drifted narrowly past the far post, he made one decent save as City finally got an effort on target.
With time running out Russell levelled with a shot I was directly behind and I knew it was going in, keeper and defender never moved as the ball ended up in the bottom left hand corner.
Darwen were momentarily down to 10 men when City scored the winner, Russell's first shot was well saved by the keeper but the rebound ran to ex Morecambe player Danny Carlton who took an age to finally put the ball into the net. City duly played out the final few minutes in the Darwen half to go through to the next round.
Darwen did not deserve to lose.

Lancaster City 4 Darwen 3 Att 96

Next up Bamber Bridge v Lancaster on Saturday providing it stops raining.

[themaclad]

Arrived at Bamber Bridge game on whether it finish us in the lap of the Gods

[themaclad]

On a soggy afternoon in Central Lancashire, Lancaster City and Bamber Bridge shared the spoils on an increasing bog of a pitch. Having survived a pitch inspection, the groundstaff were forking the pitch when I arrived at Irongate although apart from where the lines man was running the pitch looked in decent nick.
Brig took an early lead as Lancaster tried and failed to pass their way out of danger, losing possession in the left back area, the ball arrived at the feet of the very useful Regan Linney who skipped round keeper Hale to put the ball into an empty night. City struggled in the early stages against the physically stronger Brig players who included in their midst ex league player PaulMcKenna and Brett Ormerod. McKenna's passing was superb finding players with ease from 30 yards.
Brig could have gone two up but the No 7's shot went narrowly over the bar, City's only chance disappeared fell into the pond in front of the goal when a cross was heading his way. Given the conditions some excellent full on tackles led to a few feisty exchanges. City levelled out of the blue on the half hour when the two Clark's combined and Gavin fired home from the left hand side of the area. The other Clark, Zac then went on a mazy run down the left hand side but was trying for a worldie instead of passing to better placed team mate.
On the stroke of half time Brig nearly took the lead, there was a skirmish going on down one end of the pitch which the referee had not noticed as Brig broke up field with a three on one break away, a good old fashioned shoulder charge ended the move, Brig wanted a penalty, they did not get it.
Brig piled on the pressure in the second half but could not find a way through the resolute City defence, City were relying on the break and at times were causing the home side problems and with 13 minutes to go took the lead when Winder's cross cum shot ended up in the back of the net.
Brig hit the bar and just as it looked as if City would scratch out a win Brig equalised when Blackburn loanee Joel scored from six yards after some slightly dodgy defending, probably a fair result as both sides put a lot of effort in on the Irongate swamp.
The two clubs meet again on Tuesday at the same venue in the Dootson cup, would be surprised if it's actually played given the deluge which is on it's way.

Bamber Bridge 2 Lancaster City 2 Att 242

[themaclad]

On a rare Lancashire evening it was dry, no wind a perfect night for football, so off to Lancaster it was to watch the Dootson Cup match between City and Bamber Bridge. The game was originally scheduled for Bamber Bridge weeks ago but since then there has been rain virtually none stop and due to the rules of the competition the match was then switched to Lancaster. Having managed to get through the gate after Ray the gateman had refused a student entry because he did not have his Student Union card with him and therefore had to pay full price which he could not because he did not have enough money.
The ground looked in decent nick as both teams warmed up, unusually both teams elected to play in their away kits, yellow for City and red for the Bridge. Bridge started the better of the two sides with ex league player Milligan impressing. Bridge played some good passing football whilst City were a little more direct however the small City forwards got little change from the tall more powerful Bridge defenders.
There was little in the way of goal mouth action until City woke up to the fact that playing the ball on the floor would give them a better chance. Winder tested Dovey in the Bridge goal but the shot was tipped over the bar, as was another shot shortly afterwards which followed a pacy run by Cummings down the right flank.
No score at half time and then a pretty average second half with no action in either goalmouth, the game seemed destined for penalties until 18 minutes from time Bridge won the game with a goal out of context with the game. A free kick for Bridge was taken from about 25 yards by Milligan, his kicked rocketed into the far corner of the net.
City huffed and puffed in the final stages rarely looked like scoring, even a blue smoke bomb failed to worry Bridge, there was a modicum of excitement in the final minute when Hale City's keeper ventured up for a corner at the other end of the pitch, he showed some nifty foot work to find a team mate however the cross sailed into oblivion and that was that.
An eerie drive home through the deserted streets of Lancaster, the students have not yet returned and if they don't bring their Union cards they won't do again.

Lancaster City 0 Bamber Bridge 1 Att 167

[themaclad]

Tuesday night football on a Tuesday in Lancaster on a cool clear night, no having to travel countless thousands of miles across the land to watch league football, you cannot beat a bit on non league to get you back to basics.
Both Lancaster and Burscough are chasing the play offs, Burscough are presently in the play off places but rapidly improving Lancaster are closing in on them at a rapid rate. Since the change of manager City have reverted to what non league football is all about plenty of frenetic honest football.
The first half was played at a rapid pace, with sadly little goal mouth action to keep the 196 who turned up interested, lots ot midfield play with little or no end product. Can only remember two efforts at goal, the first from Burscough's No 7(Monaghan?) brought a brilliant finger tip save from keeper Hale turning the ball on to the bar and safety and a near goal keeping howler from Hare who raced out to collect the ball missed it completely and left Akrigg to head the ball into the side netting.
Second half was more entertaining as the home side started to dominate but again goal chances were none existent. However finally 15 minutes from the end the deadlock was finally broken, Akrigg crossed the left of the area and Cairney glanced his header over the stranded Hare into the far corner of the net, cue delirium behind the goal as the home faithful celebrated. Within a minute City could have added two more, Hare saved one effort and the other was headed off the line from a corner by that rarity a defender who was covering the post at a corner.
Burscough pressed for an equaliser but it never looked like arriving and City eased to victory.

Lancaster City 1 Burscough 0 Att 196

Next venture may be 26/1/2016 but will definitely be 30/1/2016 at a venue to be decided

[themaclad]

A local derby of sorts last night at Lancaster’s Giant Axe ground, although in a different county Kendal’s nearest local opponents are City. Also recent history made this game a bit special, in the summer the majority of City’s squad left the club to follow the money that was on offer at their Northerly neighbours.

Apparently Kendal were offering figures only seen in the newly formed Chinese Premier League which was quite a risk considering their average gate was less than 150. Hence when the money ran out back came the majority of the squad to resume playing for Lancaster. A few stayed and the new management team at Kendal also brought in a few old Lancaster players to bolster the squad following the players return South and yes Kendal’smanager is an ex Lancaster player.

Kendal nicknamed the Dull by the City faithful travelled south with their season starting to become a struggle. City took the lead after nine minutes through Mercer when his looking header lobbed gently over keeper Kitchen’s head into the unguarded net. By the time the goal had gone in City had already missed two fairly easy chances. The home side continued to miss chances on a regular basis through the first half and shpould have been out of site by half time. Hale the home keeper was a virtual spectator as the home side dominated. Only Kendal effort was a free kick by Bailey which hit the netting stopping the ball going into the nearby housing estate.

Unsurprisingly given the one way the game had been going itb was no surprised that Kendal were level a couple of minutes into the second half when City gave a way a needless penalty, ex City player Bailey scored. Parity didnt last long City broke down the left had men over and the right pass was played and Winder restored the home sides lead. Back to allout assault on the Dull’s goal and only poor finishing and excellent keeping by Kitchen kept the score at bay. As play became more stretched in the latter stages several tackles found their marks on ankles as the game hotted up. A misdirected back pass bt City almost led to a Dull equaliser but Swarbrick(ex City) was forced wide of the goal and the chance was lost, within seconds the ball was played over the top and Taylor(ex Dull) advanced on goal and sent the keeper the wrong way to seal the result.


Lancaster City 3 Kendal Town 1 Att 357

[themaclad]

Back to the Macron two days after North End's win, this time to see Lancaster play Chorley in the Lancashire Junior Cup final. Have supported both sides over the years but tonight firmly supporting Lancaster. In front of a non too shabby crowd of 1495 City had a dream start with a goal after two minutes, a corner bounced around the Chorley area before Clark headed home from close range. Chorley almost immediately went close when Dean's header flashed narrowly wide of the post. It was obvious that Chorley had a bunch of big powerful players and they were winning plenty of headers against the City defenders.
Given their two leagues higher status Chorley began to dominate possession but were let down by the final ball, City were being pressed back but Hale and his defenders got in the way of everything that was going into the box, but with eight minutes to the break the inevitable Chorley goal arrived, although it has to be said there was a bit of luck on the goal, again the ball was bouncing pinball style around the City box until Cotterill fired in a shot which was deflected past Hale into the net.
Within a minute City were back in front, down the right they went the cross was cleared to Carney who volleyed home from 20 yards, carnage in the Lancaster support.
Corley had a great chance to level very early in the second half Dean got through in the inside left channel but his shot failed to get past Hale.
Enter Stephenson for Chorley a player who Hartlepools have bid for, apparently he's a bit special, his first taste of action ended up with him being flattened by Hale 25 yards from goal, there were covering defenders, Hale was booked. The free kick was poor away broke City men over ball to Clark his shot hit the bar, the rebound was cleared down field were Chorley won another free kick on the edge of the box. This time Roscoe's goal bound shot was tipped over the bar by Hale.
Lancaster were now defending in depth 11 men behind the ball playing on the break which they did in style although has to be said the final ball was sometimes not the best, although a Clark header forced Ashton into a save. A City shot from distance was also narrowly wide, however Chorley were level with 13 minutes to go and again it was a touch fortunate. Mercer in trying to clear the ball handled in the area, it was one of those which you cannot do anything about, very unlucky.
Stephenson took the kick, it was saved by Hale but Stephenson scored from the rebound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5y41Y4p2lSE

City although tiring tried to get more into the Chorley half towards the end of the game but could not force a winner. With no extra time it was straight to penalties, sadly City missed three Chorley missed one and won the shoot out 3-1 a cruel end to a tremendous performance by City.

Chorley 3 Lancaster City 1 Att 1495

Only downsides on an excellent night having to pay full price, due to lack of concessions under the LFA rules, kids who were there having little interest in watching the game and were dicking around in the seats in front of me and my journey home being extended by 25 minutes due to the inability of the Highways Agency to let you know that your junction on the M55 was shut.

[themaclad]

As it was Tuesday which is normally a match night there was no excuse to stay in doors and watch the Euro rubbish, so it was off to beautiful down town Blackpool for a second trip of the season to watch AFC Blackpool in their relegation six pointer against Padiham.
On a breezy but cool night in front of a massive attendance of 52 both sides needed the points AFC in thge bottom three and Padiham just above the drop zone. In the Padiham side were four ex Lancaster City players which made identifying some of the players easier. On a dry bumpy pitch Padiham settled quickly and in the early stages looked the more likelier of the two sides to make the break through, playing some decent passing football they pressed but were unable to find their way past the resolute AFC defence.
It took AFC a while to get going but they came close to scoring twice but were denied by keeper Donlan twice, with one being a stunning tip over from a dipping volley from outside the box.
Caunce in the AFC goal started to become busier denying Taylor header he should really have scored, but in truth the game was slightly scrappy and at the break it was probably the correct scoreline 0-0. The second half was much more interesting having moved round to stand near the two dugouts which in the case of a crap game is always fun to be near as the banter is most of the time funny and profane.
Padiham were awarded a penalty within two minutes of the restart. The kick beat the keeper, the bar and the roof of the stand behind the goal. Within two minutes there was a penalty down the other end of the game plus a red card. According to the referee Fitzgerald of Padiham aggressively threw an AFC player to the ground in the box after the ball had long since gone down the pitch. Penalty and a red one for Fitzgerald. Musgrove sent Donlan the wrong way 1-0 to AFC. Within five minutes it was 2-0 a shot from inside the box was not collected by Donlan and Seear scored from close range.
Padiham were slightly less impressed with the way the game was going and adapted a though shalt not walk again policy, centre half Botham clattered into an AFC player which brought comments from the Padiham trainer's box that the FC was faking injury, the management quickly apologised when they realised the AFC player had cut his head open.
AFC strived but could not get the third goal which would have killed the visitors off, but as the game got closer to the end Padiham sensed they may have a chance and with five minutes remaining they reduced the arrears with a fine team goal, which started on the centre line after a series of passes substitute Murphey escaped the defence to slip the ball past Caunce 2-1.
Four minutes injury time and deep into that four minutes another penalty a Padiham player was brought down in the box, Hunter took the kick and scored 2 all.


AFC Blackpool 2 Padiham 2 Att 52

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https://youtu.be/HBJL35WSs90

[themaclad]

Under the gaze of Pendle Hill Clitheroe and Glossop North End met in a play off six pointer with both teams being in the top five, there was a need for both of them to consolidate their positions.
Glossop were promoted last season and also appeared in the final of the FA Vase which they lost to North Shields.
There was not a lot of finesse in this game, the many match balls that were used took a severe battering as the ball was propelled with force into outer space on many occasions.
Clitheroe took the lead after seven minutes when a long ball from the left was allowed to bounce 10 yards out by Glossop left back Russell, it was a fatal mistake whilst waiting for the ball to bounce Clitheroe winger Hampson anticipated the bounce and headed past the Glossop keeper into the corner of the net.
A fast and furious game ensued Glossop should have levelled but the forward fired harmlessly wide when well placed. Clitheroe always looked the more dangerous with tall centre forward Gonzalez a handful. Two quick goals sealed the game for the home side before half time. As was the norm a long ball was chased by winger Harries he easily turned the Glossop defender and advanced on goal before sliding a shot past the Glossop keeper. Within minutes Harries turned provider using his pace to go past the full back on the left wing, his inch perfect cross found the head of Gonzalez whose's header hit the post before rebounding into the net off the Glossop keeper. Game over, in a word yes.
Although they had glimmers of the Clitheroe goal Glossop rarely looked like scoring in fact the home side really should have scored more but missed a couple of good chances. Russell who committed the error for the first goal did not finish the game picking up a straight red for a bad tackle. Was not a good night for Glossop.

Clitheroe 3 Glossop North End 0 Att 306