[themaclad]

AFC Blackpool 1 Duffield Garstang 1 Noblett Att 157


Mechanics Ground
Jepson Way

Programme £2
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/E-CtoLHXEAAW...me=360x360


This was a game AFC should have won by a couple goals but excellent goalkeeping and the woodwork meant that a late free kick gave the visitors a point which they probably didn't deserve
A decent pitch a warmish afternoon a good sized crowd for a Bank Holiday and a goal in the first 30 seconds for the home side, the new fangled pass back to the keeper and hope he can control it like Messi and clear the ball before on rushing forward scores, sadly for Donlon, Duffield was on him before he could fully clear and his block sent the ball into the net.

For 20 minutes the goal rocked Garstang they were struggling to hold the home side at bay, they survived and had a couple of efforts at the other end with Clark forcing Hall into a fine save from a close range shot.
The home side soon regained the intiative, Donlon made amend with a finger tip save onto the bar from Duffield blocked the follow up, he also did well to save one which was falling into the net, he also saved another shot in the ensuing goalmouth scramble
Half time home side 1 up

Garstang probably shaded the second half as the home side went high and skywards several times, the home side however were dangerous on the break were denied by both keeper and post again. The second period was a bit stop start and with about 13 minutes to go free kick on the edge of the box to Garstang, after the referee had booked what seem to be three players for the same incident, Noblett over the wall and into the bottom corner. Garstang pressed for the winner didn't come and a couple of shots on target were easily saved by Donlon


Seen better games, last time I was at AFC we went into a lockdown ominous

[themaclad]

Garstang 2 Noblett Murphy AFC Blackpool 2 Winder Gregory Att 223

A non league ground at this time of the year always seems to be cold with a cold easterly wind blasting in from Yorkshire, on days like this you need a game to make you forget about the cold in the main this was not one of those games.
A decent size crowd swelled by a good few who had been watching the Rugby Union game just the other side of the walkway. had little to enthuse in the first half were the ball seemed to be continually going into touch , outbreaks of football did break out the visiting keeper did well to tackle Clark outside the box when the home forward was through on goal he also saved well from a header, at the other end the home keeper did well to save from Duffield apart from that there was little to enjoy in the slog of a first half
Noticeable how pack the bar was at half time as the rugby throng packed it out
The sewcond half the away side dominated and it was no surprise when they went ahead Winder curling one in good goal totally out of context with what had gone on before. The home side never really threatened ntil out of the blue Blackpool failed to clear the ball on the edge of the box Noblett fired in a shot which the keeper majestically palmed into the net.
Blackpool regained controlled after the surprise goal and with about ten to go look to half secured the points, Garstang switched off at a corner ball to Gregory in space beat two defenders right footed shot top left bin. They should have seen the game out didn't went late on Murphy fired one in from the corner of the box keeper again should probably have done better.
The home side were on the attack at the end could have won shot from the left just over would have been harsh on Blackpool

Notcied some of the attendence in some of the non leagues game Macclesfield in the Division above had 4500 which is probably more than they had at league mactches in the last few seasons in the football league

[themaclad]

Lancaster City 0 Atherton Collieries 0 Att 435




First time back at the Giant Axe in 2 and a half years, not a lot has changed although each side now has two dugouts, the castle and the Priory still tower above the ground and trains still can be viewed arriving and departing from the station at the top of the hill.
A decent attendence including a fair few from Greater Manchester, many of the faithful that I've not seen since my last visit to the ground are still going which is good to see.
The game itself was not a classic far from it, uneven pitch, soft after the deluge we have had, meant the ball spent a lot of time being propelled skywards chances were limited in a tight game between two sides locked together in mid table. Have to sy neither keeper was overworked during the 90 minutes. First half especiallly was attritional, a free kick from Bailey brought an easy save from teh visiting keeper and a header over the bar frm a visiting defender from a corner were probably the closest we got to a goal. Interesting to note the new fad of having someone who could take a long throw seems to have affected lower league football, both sides had someone who could throw into the penalty area from a throw in


Second half had more entertainment although like the first period little to trouble the keepers, the visitors had probably the best chance a three on one break sadly for them the lad with the ball didn't pass to either of the spare men and the chance went a begging, near the end a Teague effort his the side netting, plenty of honest endeavour but no end product, somehow do not think it will be two and a half years before I'm at the Axe again

[themaclad]

AFC Blackpool 3 Winder 2 McKenna Atherton LR 1 Holt

Compared to recent seasons there will be a few more non league games to watch this season, so off to Jepson Way to watch AFC take on Atherton LR. Both sides had contrasing fortunes last season, AFC missed out on promotion after losing in a play off season, and Atherton finished in the bottom three avoiding the drop only due to the traditional leagues re organisation.
Compared to recent seasons the ground has improved lots of new advertising signs, the clubs main sponsor also sponsor my cricket team so they have a bit of class.
Having walked round the ground the usual anti social evidence on show some of the seating had been ripped out and set on fire, one of the other grounds across the road had also been targeted, they have a special standard of tool in that area of Blackpool.
The lack of rain in recent weeks had made the pitcyh bone dry and a howling gale didn't help matters either


Onto the game for the first 28 minutes there was only one side in it and it wasn't the home side, the visitors had plenty of joy down the right wing, got into great positions many times but wasted the lot. Early on AFC barely looked like a side that had finished in the top six last season but managed to stay in the game due to the wasteful finisshing at the other end.
AFC took the lead on the half hour, a long ball down the middle of the pitch, the bounce fooled keeper Beard's attempt to head the ball clear and Winder had the easy job of slotting into the empty net, within a minute it was two as Winder fired home from close range and virtually straight after the break McKenna fired home fro the edge of the box.


That was it from AFC they were quite content to sit back and soak up the pressure which they did easily apart from when a free kick from the right found it's way to Holt who beat the keeper from 10 yards.
They had a one further chance when a glancng header which should have found the net went wide of the far post.
As the temperature dropped it rought to mind of the joys of watching the game in December, won't be wearing shorts outside by then.
The game ended on a slightly sour note Sumner who had been on the receiving end of some crunching tackles, received another bone shaker late on in added on time, he landed awkwardly and apparently has broken his wrist. The referee did the only thing he could ended the game slightly early and the prone Sumner was covered in blankets to await the ambulance.
Not quite the ending that anyone wanted

[themaclad]

Lancaster City 1 Bailey C Nantwich Town 1 Heath Att 309


A day so warm anyone with ginger hair could have spontaineously combusted, saw me cricket less, we play tomorrow, had a choice of games, Morecambe, AFC Blackpool, Accrington or this one, given the score at Accie 4-4 probably made the wrong choice. Dry bobbly pitch, searing heat which left all those watching looking for available shade.
Used to go fairly regular to City but the last few yeras this has tailed off, the dreaded pandemic meant it was easier not to go than to make the effort to travel. So given the free Saturday I was Axe bound. Arrived in good time as the bells of Lancaster Priory could be heard. Three ex league players were in the squad, David Norris for Lancaster and ex Crewe duo A J Leitch-Smith and Shaun Miller
Early season rustiness in both sides as the ball was mainly booted skywards, occasionaly both sides played it on the deck with Grant of the vistors looking to have a bit of skill, little in the way of goalmouth action, it needed something to break the deadlock and a red card ten minuutes before the break could have been pivotal, Norris got clear and was brought down by the Dabbers Number 8 Robbins who got first use of the showers

The Dabbers got to the break level with game management tactics
City spread the play wide at the start of the second half Charlie Bailey hit a post but was not denied for long, working the ball across the pitch Bailey was in acres of space slotted home 1 up.
From then on City should have strolled home but stopped using their heads and launched long ball after long ball into the box, they paid for it with 17 minutes left, long ball down the pitch no pressure on Cooke ball to Heath who chipped over the advancing keeper

Cityb replied with a shot well saved by the keeper however it was the visitors deep in injury time who could have won it with a shot which just cleared the bar
The temperature in the car on the way home was 30C Scorchio

[themaclad]

Euxton Villa 2 Chadderton 4

https://www.nwcfl.com/lineups.php?id=14822

Euxton Villa (pronounced Exton) play about a mile away from Leyland where I spent many happy years trying to get educated.

HISTORY

Welcome to Euxton Villa FC, we play football at Jim Fowler Memorial Ground, Runshaw Hall Lane, Euxton, PR7 6HQ. The club was originally known as Euxton, playing in the West Lancashire League in 1907. The team led a nomadic existence playing in various locations in the village before finally buying three farmers fields in 1985. Since then the club merged with junior teams from the village and developed the current site. In 2002 we became an FA Community Club and proud to be one of the first 100 clubs in the country to attain this status. Our new club-house was officially opened in 2009 by Chorley MP, Lindsay Hoyle. This building came about as a result of years of fund raising and a grant from the Football Foundation.

In 2012 we were voted Chorley’s Community Club of the Year. In 2013 we were Lancashire’s FA Charter Standard Development Club of the Year and voted winners of the North West Region FA Charter Standard Development Club of the Year. A fantastic achievement of which we are very proud to receive these awards and are testament to the hard work and professional commitment of all volunteers at the club. It was also in 2013 that we entered, for the first time in the clubs history, two girls teams into the West Lancashire Girls Football League.

In 2019 Euxton Villa Fc were awarded tier 2 status and were delighted to be selected for the FA Community Pilot Scheme and become one of 150 clubs nationwide with this status .

We currently have 40 teams in addition to the Boys and Girls development groups. We also have strong links with Chorley Fc Women’. This means we are in the unique position of being able to offer a boy and girl pathway, from the age of 4 through to adult football, where both Ladies and Men’s teams play in the FA pyramid. All coaches are FA qualified and cleared to coach children. Our teams play in the West Lancashire Football League, FA Womens Premier League (Chorley Fc Women), Lancashire Evening Post Youth Division, Central Lancashire Football League, Mid Lancashire Colts Junior Football League, West Lancashire Girls League, Veterans Summer League


This is a new gropund for me, most surprising featues they have no floodlights therefore given the requirement for them in this league makes me wonder how they are going to play night game at home in November, miner's lamps like Workington fans did at Lancaster many years ago following an abandonment.
Decent sized car park, wanted to charge me full price, which I would have done gladly but paid the three pound old gadgers price.
Brew bought in the club house stood next to a familiar face Paul Scholes buying pie and peas as you do.
Nice little ground coupe of stands with the Blind Tigers Inn Stand being quaintly named and with a few of the Chaddie ultra's and a frigging drummer.
Euxton resplendent in Tangerine and Chaddie in Green and Black, Scholes son was one of the Chaddie Subs, there was also a liner who wore glasses.


Game wise Chaddie dominated the early stages with Mendes and Knight looking good players, Euxton unbeaten before today were distincly second best therefore after 25 minutes it was no surprise that the home side went ahead, Briggs burying a scorcher from about 20 plus yards. The goal gave the home side confidence and they dominated up to just before half time when they conceded two goals, first ball through the middle Knight scored, the second an inswinging corner Dale an old fashioned type of centre forward nodded home.
Second period Euxon started well, had one cleared from the line hit the post and finally equalised from a corner Darr at the back post from Briggs' deep corner.
They were not level for long, virtually straight from the kick off, foul in the box, penalty, Schofield did teh rest.
This time there was no comeback after Purfield fired home when a corner dropped to him and he fired home.
Euxton hit the post again and missed a sitter but the two goal margin didn't change and Chaddie go second above Euxton in the league

[themaclad]

Kendal Town 3 Lynch, og Rawson Vauxhall Motors 5 Harwood, Buckley 2, Burkey, Mitchell ATT 165



Having decided to go on the marathon cross country trek to Norwich which was bound to end in a defeat or a gritty nil nil(wrong) for the third successive Saturday went North to the second finest county on the planet, Cumbria.
According to Wiki Kendal is the third biggest town in the County, on the River Kent which splits the town in half although at times has been known to submerge the town. One off it's finest products is Kendal Mint Cake, it is used by climbers to give them energy, if you have not had it, imagine a two pound bag of sugar that taste of mint.
To the South East of the Town Centre lies Parkside home of Kendal Town across the road is also Parkside home of Netherfield Cricket Club occasionally used by Cumbria CC, yes have played on it, including a cup semi final which was played basically in the dark which given I'd broken my glasses and could see sod all which made fielding difficult, but we won.
The football club also originally named Netherfield originally linked to K Shoes which were based in Kendal until they closed in 2000 and changed to Kendal Town, like the Shoe factory times have become a little bit hard for the team, having been closed topromotion to the Conference North have slipped down the table and are now in the North West Counties League just above the relegation zone.
Visitors Vuxhall Motors were in the Conference North at one time until finances forced them to relegate themselves at the time of kick they were on top of the league and still were at the end.
A dry windy day although there was a slight missly drizzle in the first half saw the home side attack down the slight slope, apart from one chance for the visitors, the home side started well with Chilufya and Yawson linking really well and it was no surprose when these two linked to provide Lynch with a chance from 12 yards which he didn't miss.
Sadly though Chilufya was forced off with injury and Vauxhall took advantage they got in down the left hand side ball to Harwood in off the post. Within tow minutes they were ahead when the home defence gave Buckley way too much time and he curled a shot over the keeper.

Credit the home side they fought back had several close things before a Vauxhall defender decided to shin the ball into his own goal. Level at the break, made for the decent clubhouse, got a brew and awaited second half action.
To be honets missed Vauxhall's third look down as the keeper collected the ball, apparently he rolled it out to clear it and didn't see Burkey who was behind him, simple tap in.
Looked a stroll for Vauxhall but back came the home side and after a lot of pressure levelled through Yawson who's tame shot trickled through the hands of the keeper into the net. Game on home crowd bouyant until 15 minutes two home defenders went for the same ball both missed it and Mitchell curled it home

That killed the home side and a simple header from a corner three minutes later made the points safe for the visitors

[themaclad]

Garstang 5 Clark 3 Noblett pen Murphy Cleator Moor Celtic 3 Hammill 2 Dawson

Riverside Ground

Been a while since I have done one of these, foregoing the 5am get up to go to Millwall an afternoon in the sun next to the River Wyre was the venue.
It is that time of the season where instaed of having numbers against your league positin clubs get letters C, P or R in the case of Cleator Moor it was the letter R. Their opponents at start of play were also in the R zone but with one game to play after this one.
The home side had played on Thursday night losing to Ashton Town who were in the last relegation place below Garstang. The result was a 2-0 win to Town which put Garstang in the drop zone.
After a fairly even start by 15 minutes Garstang were 2 up sheer determination by the Garstang right winger didn't give up chasing a ball towards the dead ball line kept it in, left foot cross, near post header to the back post, Clark volleys home, second long ball over the top ball squared across Clark does not miss open goal
Garstang had another cleared from the line and another effort went narrowly wide, however the visitors were actually playing some good football going forward, Hammill looked a decent player as did the Number 11 and it was Hammill who fragged them back into the game with a big deflected shot which wrong footed the home keeper.
Getting on towars the break it look like Cleator could make a surprise comeback but fate intervened the visiting keeper collided with a Garstang forward obviously dazed needed to be substituted

With no substitute keeper the replacement was an outfield substitute, they nearly got to half time at 2-1 but another long ball over the to keeper came rushing from his goal missed his kick and Clark rolled in his third of the half.
That was the 100th goal Celtic had conceded this season.
Soon after half time it was 4-1 a bit of showboating from Celtic's captain didn't come off and the end result was a foul in the box. Penalty, Noblet scored although the outfield keeper went the right was, his dive was that of an outfield player in goal nt used to diving correctly/
Garstang hit the post but all credit to the visitors scored again Hammill left foot shot from outside the box



With six minutes to goal Garstang finally made the game safe Murphy wrong footed the statuesque custodian, however Celtic bagged a third right at the death through Dawson, scrambled effort
For the 94 of us that were there it was decent entertainment.
So with one game to go Garstang still in the dropped zone as Ashton Town picked up a point against FC St Helens in front of 675 fans.
Both Garstang and Ashton have to play Bacup in the last week of the season however add into the mix Bacup have to play five games in the last week due to playing in the middle of a swamp anything could happen through into the heady mix Daisy Hill are 2 points ahead of Garstang and 1 ahead of Ashton Town but have actually completed all their fixtures.

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[themaclad]

Just as a matter of interest having said that Bacup had five games to play of the four games they have to play both Ashton Town and Garstang both fighting against relegation, they also have to play the top two fighting for promotion. Last night they played Chadderton who won 4-3 and go top by one [point from Pilkington who play Bacup tomorrow, a win for Pilkington gives them the title

[themaclad]

Pilkington won 4-0 at Bacup took the title, Bacup duly beat Ashton Town last night, on Monday Garstang need to win at Bacup to stay up and send Ashton down