And so to May Bank Holiday and a trip to Brocstedes Park in Ashton-in-Makerfield. It's a vital end of season game between tenants St Helens Town who host Hanley Town in the North West Counties Division One.
The sky is grey and heavy, like a pile of wet towels, as I set out on what
should be a fairly straightforward trip up the M6. It becomes a circus on
Thelwall viaduct with a Warburtons Bakery lorry, in the fast lane on the
opposite carriageway, catching fire and providing hours of rubbernecking for
those travelling north. Once past it's up to Bryn Interchange at junction 25,
and then down a dirt track (not the AA recommended route !!) to Brocstedes
Park.
It's a vital
match because it's the last one of the regular season for the Saints and a must
win to reach the play offs. Hanley can be crowned as champions if they win
today. Recognising its importance Saints' main sponsor Johnsons Toyota
Liverpool are offering free admission to the first 100 adult spectators through
the turnstiles.
I arrive at quarter to three, in brilliant sunshine, to be met by Big John and
told that the match has been postponed five minutes earlier due to
waterlogging. The major problem seems to be the rain filled ruts in the centre
of the pitch - a problem exacerbated by the incredulous decision to fulfil
Ashton Athletic's game in February against Alsager in monsoon conditions, which
has caused massive damage to the pitch.
So a return to the M6 which helpfully informs me that there are traffic problems between junctions 15 and 10 on the M60, but nothing about the ongoing chaos at Thelwall. The fire has been severe enough to burn off the tarmac so resurfacing is required meaning lane closures and long delays - bravo !!!
Fast forward 24 hours and a repeat visit to Brocstedes Park to see Ashton
Athletic play Abbey Hey in the North West Counties Premier - hopefully !!
Ashton Athletic was founded in 1968 playing in the Wigan Sunday League, winning
every Division in consecutive seasons before switching to the Warrington League
on Saturdays where similar success was achieved. 'The Ashes' or 'Ash' developed
Brocstedes Park and joined the Lancashire Combination at the start of the
1978/79 season.
Initially they struggled and finished bottom, and this struggle continued for
three more seasons before The Ashes became founder members of the North West
Counties in 1982 - and finished bottom. Having finished in last place twice
more, Ash left the league in 1986 after failing the ground grading.
The club joined the Manchester League for the 1988/89 season and, after finding
their place towards the bottom of the table, started to gradually improve. In
2006 they finished 4th and, following a two year campaign to reach the required
ground standards, the Ashes rejoined the second tier of the North West
Counties. A season later the club achieved third place and was promoted to the
Premier Division.
Abbey Hey FC
hail from the Abbey Stadium, and not the one in Cambridge ! Their Abbey Stadium
is to be found on Goredale Avenue in Gorton, M18.
The visitors date back to 1902 when they formed as Abbey Hey WMC, but the club
has disbanded and reformed on a number of occasions. In 1998 they moved from
the Manchester League to the North West Counties and were promoted in that
first season to their current level.
The club previously played at St Werburghs Road under an arrangement with
Lookers, who reneged on the deal two years in. The Red Rebels then moved to
Godfrey's, named after local councillor Godfrey Ermen, and after two seasons on
the old English Steel site, took up residence at the Abbey in 1984.
And so indeed
24 hours later leads to a glorious spring evening, light motorway traffic and
after a trip down the rutted driveway, matching the pitch, to the car park -
and a game of football at Brocstedes Park :)
Brocstedes Park is essentially a converted farmer's field and fairly basic,
aside from the fantastic facilities in the clubhouse, which is immediately to
the left on entry. There are two small covered stands bisecting the dugouts,
two open ends and the far side has a mini pitch, under water yesterday, and the
M6 behind - there is a lone photographer on that touchline, but he could be
doubling up as a lorry spotter !!
Ash are in
their traditional yellow and the Red Rebels are in, er, maroon.... Both sides
hit the woodwork early on; Abbey Hey from a cross cum shot whilst Ashton's left
back is collapsed in a heap having collided with the metal railing surrounding
the pitch, and Ash's Isaac Kusaloka hitting the outside of the post after some
fairly shabby goalkeeping.
But it's typical end of season fare and a mundane first half sees only one
further incident. A hopeful ball into the channels sees Rebels' centre back
Andrew Smith stumble in the ruts, go down in instalments, and sets Kusaloka
free. He bears down on goal, draws the keeper and squares for Heath Ainscow to
score into an empty net and leave the Ashes 1-0 up at half time.
Perhaps with one eye on the home local derby against Atherton Collieries 48
hours later, the home side barely feature in the second half. The Red Rebels
start to make inroads, and eventually Ashford Blake equalises at close range
from a Jack Tinning cross.
Then a fantastic through ball from Abbey's Nico Collins leaves Sam Hind free
and he scores confidently to put the Red Rebels in front, with the visitors
comfortably seeing out the dying embers of the game. :)
