[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