[themaclad]

Been far too long since I ventured to a non league game, the International break was just the ideal opportunity to get my backside down to Jepson Way to watch AFC Blackpool take on FC Oswestry Town on a lovely sunny early spring day although out of the shade there was a keen breeze.
Oswestry is a place I know little about apparently World War One poet Wilfred Owen was born there, as for the football team I saw the previos incarnation lose at Chorley in a Cheshire League game about 30 years ago. The new team have only been in existance a couple of years after sweeping up everything Shropshire had to offer they joined the North West Conties Football league. They share their ground with the World famous the New Saints who are a full time plastic side who win the Welsh League every season being the only full time club in it.
Oswestry have had a decent season and were in 11th place before kick off although they do not seem to attract a lot of support with only 25 rocking up for a recent home game. The home side have been extremely inconsisant have pulled off a couple of decent victories although did manage to lose at home 5-0 to the bottom of the league Ashton Town who had previously only won one game, last Saturday AFC lost 7-0 at Chadderton.
It was fairly obvious why AFC have found it hard this season they have a very young slightly built side whereas visitors Oswestry had a mixture of experience and youth.
An open first couple of minutes with the visitors playing 352 and getting plenty of joy down the flanks especially the left and after four minutes that is where the visitors first goal came from, coss into he box shambolic defending and Price scored easily. The home side were in difficulty when defending and it looked as Oswestry would get a shed load before half time however after a rocky start the home side had brief glimpses of hope at the other end with a coupkl of near effort plus they hit the post. It was also obvious from Oswestry style of play that they play all their home games on an artificial pitch with a decent passing game. AFC survived until half time only one goal down although Oswestry had chances to increase the lead.
In truth AFC never really threatened in the second half although substitute Shaw's long throw did cause a few problems for Oswestry but once Tinsley had passed the ball into the net on 70 minutes to make it two it was game over, six minutes from time Graham scored with his first touch to make it three and only good goalkeeping. kept the score down. On the upsides was an attendance of 172 which is good money for the home side.

AFC Blackpool 0 FC Oswestry Town 3 Att 172