[themaclad]

The last time a Spennymoor team played at Lancaster, they were down in 15 seconds and eventually lost 6-0, soon after the club disbanded due to dubious counting in trhe board room and out of the ashes came Spennymoor Town. Having been promoted from the Northern League last season, they are blessed with a bit of financial clout as it showed on the pitch last night.
A tortuous journey to the game through Lancaster's fantastic one way system which is at present being dug up, meant delayts all round, the Spenny supporters coach only just arriving for the kick off.
What they saw was a highly competitive first period with both sides playing slick passing football. Spenny were the first to go close a free kick being tipped on to the bar by City custodian Hale.
Wearing and Taylor went close for City, Taylor should have done better before the deadlock was broken just before half time when a great team move from Spenny saw passes inter changed before Henderson ran on to a well placed pass and placed the ball past Hall.
City almost drew level in the next attack when from a corner Akrigg's cute back header found the Spenny defence wanting but without a City player in the vicinity of the back post. On the stroke of half time Kilifin almost conjured a goal from an acute angle but the ball hit the post and ran to safety.
Within 10 minutes of the restart it was game over, Spenny got a penalty when Marshall on the floor slid into the ball and the female referee gave a penalty, Tait only just scored. Two minutes later Stephenson met a cross at the back post and it was 3-0.
City were being run ragged and only some superb saves from Hale kept the score at three, but only for 10 minutes when another incisive move saw Cogden make it four from close range. Substitues a plenty as the game slowed down, there was just enough time for Woods to slide home a consolation a couple of minutes from the end.

Lancaster City 1 Spennymoor Town 4 Att 203

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Spenny penalty from last night

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9MQBx7Q9...ht9PnN6JeQ

[themaclad]

In the late 19th century Darwen had a football league side, they did not achieve much as a league side apart from the fact that for the best part of 100 years they held a league record of 18 successive defeats, this record was cruelly snatched from them when Sunderland had the temerity to lose 20 on the bounce in 2005/6 a run which ended when they arrived at Deepdale and won 2-0.
Due to a drastically bad run of results Darwen are now in the North West Counties League div 2 a full nine divisions below where they were.
Today was my first ever visit to the Anchor ground to see one a FA Vase match against Maine Road who as the name suggests are from Manchester.
Road are one division above Darwen and on paper favourites for the match. Although Road are 8th in the top division they are a full 22 points behind leaders Runcorn Linnets who have 50 points.
Given it was November the pitch was in good nick although the grass did seem a shade long, there is a well appointed club house which seemed homely and warm and is the lifeblood of clubs like this.
As for the game Darwen dominated from beginning to end although they looked decidedly alehouse in the opening half when playing with a deceptively stiff breeze at their backs. They had plenty of chances to take the lead but spurned them all and it was noticeable that as the half wore on Maine Road were slowly getting into the game. Darwen had a glorious chance to take the lead before half time however the home player went for power and blasted over from 6 yards.
One unusual aspect of the first half was the sight of a Darwen player bringing cups of tea out for the management and the substitutes certainly would not happen at the Etihad or Anfield.
Road started better in the second half but did not trouble the home keeper. Soon it was one way traffic towards the Road goal, the home side wasted yet another chance when the winger took far too long to make up his mind about trying a shot, didn't matter though 21minutes from the end the home side took a deserved lead, Coote weaved his way past a couple of defenders before easily beating the keeper. Within 8 minutes it was two when Turner gently lobbed the ball into the net from the edge of the box. Darwen could have had others but did not matter as they strode ever closer to a Wembley appearence. They won't get there but they can dream.

AFC Darwen 2 Maine Road 0 Att 123

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Forgot to add this game cost £3 pound to get in, a bargain

[themaclad]

On a perfect night for football Lancaster City delivered probably their best display of the season by beating Burscough 4-1 in front of 145 fans at the Giant Axe last night., was not the fact they won it was the style of play. Bailey's goal after 10 minutes summed up the match, Bailey slotting home at the back post after a passage of play in which the ball did not go out of play for fully five minutes. City added a second although this time the goal had a bit of fortune to it as Burscough keeper miserably failed to deal with a tame Bailey shot. It looked as though City were on the way to a large win but credit to the visitors they tightened up at the back and started to look dangerous going forward although their final ball was often wasteful.
Within 10 minutes of the restart Winder made it three for City firing through a forest of legs past the unsighted keeper. Within five minutes a penalty gave the visitors a way back into the game Beesley expertly put away the kick. The penlty gave Burscough fresh hope but wasteful finishing stopped them from getting closer.
It was left to the much improved Taylor to fire City's fourth off the underside of the bar after a swift counter attack to seal the win.


Lancaster City 4 Burscough 1 Att 145

[themaclad]

Had the choice of three games today at Lancaster, Darwen or my final choice of Atherton Colliries. Darwen's game fell foul of the weather, didn't fancy watching now cash rich Salford at Lancaster on the grounds that teams with extremely wealthy backers tend to ruin lower leagues so it was off to Greater Manchester.
Collieries had not lost a game all season only going out of the FA Cup on penalties against Radcliffe. Visitors Seaham Red Star were also on a hot vein of form and had been scoring goals for fun in their league.
Games against non league opponents from the North East are always competitive as this proved no exception. Collieries dominated the majority of the first half and the only surprise was they were not four down by half time, as early as the third minutes Red Star missed a glaring chance when Andrews failed to hit the target from close range. Colls played some gpood football but were ;let down by the final ball, whereas when Red Star went forward they looked dangerous every time. Colls playing down the slope in the first half looked to have some very useful players Battersby up front looked to have tons of skill. Red Star forced Taberner into two good saves before taking the lead from a penalty on 28 minutes, a thoroughly decent hacking down of a visitor brought a spot kick and Andrews scored. Before half time they worked another really good opening but missed that at well.
Colls started well in the second half as the manager obviously had a few words to say at the break and finally brought a save from Seaham keeper Newbrook, but the early onslaught soon fizzled out as Red Star's more experienced team started to pose more of a threat. A long ball down field caused chaos in the home defence and Palmer's classy finish made it two.
Within four minutes it was game on as substitute Cover squeezed the ball home from close range. Newbrook pulled off a cracking save under the bar to keep the visitors in front. It was the closest Colls got as Red Star kept the ball down in and and around the home penalty area in the final 10 minutes to earn them progress through to the next round.

Atherton Colliries 1 Seaham Red Star 2 Att 230

http://youtu.be/d18jsEq9Q3A


http://youtu.be/Y8S97-Qvs4s

[themaclad]

Another new ground today, a trip into the east of Lancashire were the six fingered ones live, Dingleland. A journey which should have taken about 60 minutes took 90 minutes due to the inability of drivers on the M6 to keep a safe distance from each other, add in a couple of wrong turns by yours truly it was almost a pleasure to actually find Victoria Park home of Nelson FC a North West counties side based a couple of miles from Burnley.
Visitors today were runaway league leaders Runcorn Linnets. Surprise No 1 the ground was fantastic, set next to a river, tree lined, with a row of terrace houses over looking the ground, a decent playing surface. Surprise No 2 I knew the home sides first team coach, went to his 21 st birthday about 15 years ago, top bloke he is as well.
Both sides have had a recent chequered histories, Nelson folded about four years ago due to general apathy in the area, reformed two seasons ago and instantly won promotion to Division 1 of the NWCL. Runcorn were formed by supporters of the old Runcorn FC who at one time were a considerable non league force having won the FA Trophy and also destroyed a few league clubs in the FA Cup at the old ramshackle Canal Street ground.
Runcorn started impressively and hit the post twice in the first 10 minutes, they played passing football , they were playing the home side off the park and looked as though they were going to win handsomely, but a few rustic tackles later Nelson started to get a toe hold in the game and after 25 minutes took the lead.
The goal was slightly controversial as the home side were given a throw in when the ball didn't look to have gone out. A long ball up field caused panic at the back for Linnets and ex league player Joe O'Neil never looked like missing. (1-0) This prompted a discussion between the defenders it appeared that Richard Head was at fault.
A huge advantage was given to the Linnets minutes later when an off the ball incident resulted in home forward Wright being sent off, as he wandered to the tunnel Wright complained that the officials were both clucking hit houses or something like that. Runcorn bemoaned their luck for the third time as the woodwork was struck again. On the stroke of half time the Linnets lost the ball on the half way line and surprisingly were outnumbered, on strolled Morrison, his shot took a deflection and in she went. (2-0)
Both managers berated the referee on the way to the tunnel, must have disagreed with some decision probably.
Nelson got their tactics spot on in the second half, defended in numbers and broke when they could, Linnets lacked the width and the intelligence to break them down and the only way they looked like scoring was from a dead ball and sure enough the hapless official gave a penalty, White scored it game on. (2-1)
White's interest in the game became a watching brief as he also got a red card for handbags at a corner, ten a side but still the Linnets piled forward but still looked short of ideas when it got to the penalty area. The Linnets fans were less than impressed with the home sides time wasting tactics but you couldn't blame them they had worked their socks off to warrant a desrved victory.

Nelson 2 Runcorn Linnets 1 Att 190

[themaclad]

http://youtu.be/ojf-4S72fcA Runcorn hit the post

http://youtu.be/UatSq-sW8BA Runcorn score from the spot

[themaclad]

It was Runcorn's first league defeat of the season

[themaclad]

At a soggy Padiham Arbories ground, Lancaster City picked up their first win in seven by defeating bottom of the league Padiham by three goals to nil. Illuminating the drab day were the performances of two old stagers who credit to them are still playing football long after their league careers have finshed, Messers Brett Ormerod and Trevor Sinclair. Both were stand out performers for their teams although it will be Sinclair who will be the happier of the two tonight.
City started well cutting masses holes in the home defence only to be let down by some wayward finishing, summeed up by Sam Bailey's shot which ended up disappearing over square leg on the neighbouring cricket ground. Padiham began to get into the game buoyed by the fact they should have already been two or three goals, the home side started to probe City's none to confident back line. A shot from distance whistled narrowly over and ancient Brett should have buried a chance with his head.
In the space of three minutes City missed three chances, Poole having the easiest when he picked his spot from 10 yards and side footed past the post.
On the stroke of half time City took the lead, Taylor was given hours to turn and fire home from 18 yards.
The second half started with the home side pressing for an equaliser and they had a glorious chance which they spurned from five yards out(Vid at the end). It was to prove costly when from a corner Marshall made it two from a Sinclair corner. From then on in it was a only a matter how many City would score, they only managed one more near the end when Taylor lashed the ball home from 20 yards. City should have had a penalty but the referee played advantage and the chance was lost. Padiham battled gamely on and only a fine flying save from Hale denied them a deserved goal.

http://youtu.be/rHUkmSFQBqo


Padiham 0 Lancaster City 3 Att 142

[themaclad]

I last visited the Holt House ground in Colne about 25 years ago to watch Colne Dynamo's who were the pre runner of the noveux riche clubs who had a rich benefactor who hoped to bring league football. The Dynamo's rapid rise through non league came to a juddering halt when they were refused entry into the Football Conference on the sole basis that their ground was shite. They were also hit by the other major factor, the sugar daddy who bankrolled the club also went bust, therefore the Dynamo's were wound up. Colne Royal British Legion took over the ground they lasted a couple of seasons before they went under. Colne FC were founded in 1996 and have slowly worked their way back to the North West Counties.
The ground hasn't changed much there is still a mammoth slope on the pitch and there is still a ramshackle feel about it. Today though was about local pride as the home side faced local rivals Nelson in the Pendle classico.
Given that I've now reached a certain age the entry fee was £2.50 plus a £1 for a programe, a bargain compared to the £40 for a Burnley/Liverpool ticket for yesterdays Premier League game.
A pitch which was a mixture of snow and mud was never going to a purists delight, could not imagine how some of these continental top league stars would have coped with it, but in the circumstances it was a decent game.
Nelson dominated the early stages playing down the slope, created little in front of goal except for one chance which should have been buried. For all their domination it was Colne who came closest, but for a tremendous save Bolye would have scored. He wasn't denied for long arriving at the back stick he slotted home following a neat right wing move. (1-0)
Colne led at the break, the second half lacked the intensity of the first half although there were some rustic challenges by both sides, the surface was becoming a bit trickier and Nelson piled forward striving for an equaliser,however they were toothless up front. Colne looked more likely to score and sure enough from a breakaway they made it two through Anderson who plodded round three mud bound defenders to pick his spot. (2-0)
It looked like a match winning score and indeed it was, the home side defended well and it was hard to recall a shot on the Colne goal. The bragging rights to the home side.

Colne 2 Nelson 1 Att 471

[themaclad]

A bit of a bonus this one Conference North fixtures on a Sunday, original choice was Chorley v Oxford City however a swampy Victory Park meant that the lads from Oxford would have got as far as Birmingham before finding that the game was off. However the other local Conference North team AFC Fylde were at home to that most Northern of clubs Lowestoft.
A decent enough attendance of 528 including a couple of Norwich season ticket holders from Lowestoft who had stayed the weekend in the North West, as with yesterday they went home disappointed.
A crisp clear day saw Lowestoft nearly get off to a flyer when forward Reed was one on one with Fylde keeper Hinchcliffe, he muffed the chance and you had the feeling that might be an expensive miss.
Fylde piled forward and when 13 minutes were two ahead, the first from a corner as Rowe bundled the ball home, in the next attack Allen skipped down the right wing cut into the penalty area and beat keeper Jones at his near post, not the greatest piece of goalkeeping. Mind you he was wearing a pink shirt and turquoise boots so dodgy keeping should have been expected.
Fylde dominated and have to say on the break they have some very pacy players Allen and Lloyd especially. Lowestoft struggled to keep in the game and had a good chance to score from a corner however the misdirected header failed to trouble the keeper.
Half time came and went as the temperature dropped so did the quality of the game, early stages of the second half saw Fylde camped in the visitors half and it was only a matter of time until they added a third.
20 minutes from the end it was three Langley rifled home a shot from inside the area, game over.
Fylde switched off and the visitors reduced the arrears with 10 minutes to go through Zielinika after some neat play aroun the edge of the box. It could have been interesting if they had got another but Fylde held on and are now five points clear at the top of the Conference North and could take some stopping.


http://youtu.be/HeEuoOwBNe8 Bit of early action


AFC Fylde 3 Lowestoft Town 1 Att 528