Captain Pickering Mechs His Mark - Lions Wounded

And so to The Mechanics and a trip to Jepson Way for a North West Counties clash between AFC Blackpool and Stockport Town.

The home side was founded as Blackpool Metal Mechanics in 1947 before changing name to Blackpool Mechanics FC. Walter Jepson, after whom Jepson Way is named, was a founding member and long serving club secretary.

The Mechanics started out playing in local Fylde leagues but in 1959 took the decision to move up and join the West Lancashire League. After being crowned champions in 1960/61 and 1961/62 the club moved to the Lancashire Combination, with a best finish of runners up in 1975.

With the formation of the North West Counties Football League in 1982 they were placed in Division Three. The Mechanics were promoted as champions to Division Two in 1985/86 and enjoyed a solitary season in Division One in 1991/92.

In May 2005 Lytham St Annes FC, having resigned from the West Lancashire League, merged with the Mechanics. Then in May 2008 the club merged with Squires Gate Junior FC, with the club renamed AFC Blackpool. The nickname 'The Mechanics' or 'The Mechs' was retained, and the stadium was renamed as a nod to the club's heritage. The club badge curiously shows a squawking seagull…..

The Mechanics' best ever season saw them promoted as First Division champions in 2010/11 to rise to the Premier Division. After four seasons they were relegated to the First Division having finished bottom. Last time around was an underwhelming 19th (out of 22) but the current campaign sees the side just into the play off area after Thursday night's 2-1 win at Bacup Borough.

Stockport Town FC, 'The Lions', who play at Stockport Sports Village, was formed in February 2014 but their initial request to join the North West Counties in the Premier Division was refused in the summer of 2014. After a year of preparation (or in the wilderness) they were allowed to join Division One at the start of the 2015/16 season.

Previous tenants Stockport Sports, formerly Woodley Sports, who were playing in the Premier Division, were expelled from the league early in 2015 for postponing games, and amidst unpaid debts were liquidated. Conspiracy theories abounded.....

The Lions' first season saw them secure a play off berth, bowing out to losing finalists Bacup Borough. Last term was notable for manager Calum Sykes resigning just before Christmas and decamping to New Mills along with most of the first team. A 0-10 home reverse to City of Liverpool on New Year's Eve represented their nadir, but new manager Dave Wild steered them to 10th place with 9 victories in the 18 games over which he presided.

So on a bleak, grey Saturday afternoon it's past ELCTRICAL and TOILETORIES, then Jellytots & Dollymixtures to the M60 and the usual carnage on Barton Bridge. Off at the M61 and that 'Incontinence Supplies at Internet Prices' sign, beyond Botany Bay and then joining the M6 briefly and exiting on to the M55.

At the end of the M55 at Marton Fold it's a left into Midgeland Road, past Hollyacres Luxury Cats Hotel and then right onto School Road with two football clubs next to each other - Squires Gate, in the league above, and Blackpool Wren Rovers, in the league below. Straight over into Jepson Way where I park on the Spirit of Youth FC car park. The Mechanics is hidden just round the corner.

Inside a ground full of character - and four covered stands. Behind one goal at the top end an ancient fascia for some auto repair centre, bearing just the letters UTOS, affixed to rusted girders and above a three step terrace with corrugated sides and crush barriers.

To the left the main stand, set between the two dugouts, originally two full rows of orange and red seats but some now ripped out and abandoned on the walkway. Opposite a further two rows of seating in front of the clubhouse and changing rooms, with the 'Hospitality Suite' hemmed in the corner.

Behind the near goal a more basic covered terrace housing the AFC Blackpool ultras, the 'Tin Hut Brigade' and their many flags and drums. Beyond is the South Shore Cricket, Squash & Rugby Club, home to Blackpool Scorpions RLFC, and the runway of the reopened Blackpool Airport, primarily used by offshore helicopter operations and private planes. In the distance a mummuration of starlings and a bizarre sign 'Were you my 1964 Pleasure Beach Girl from St Georges Park ? Text Pete on...', apparently erected by a lovesick Lytham pensioner !!

The Mechanics are in all tangerine, the Lions in change all purple and the linesman on the near touchline is possibly the youngest I have seen - and the most frozen looking !! A scruffy first half ensues, spoiled by a bitter wind and a squally shower.

Town have the Lions' share of the play and chances. Aaron Dwyer takes advantage of a defensive howler but Mechs' keeper Callum Kirkland steers his shot into the side netting. The best opportunity sees George Blackwell's pinpoint cross met by an acrobatic volley from Ben Halfacre which thunders against the crossbar. The Mechanics can only muster a dangerous Ben Duffield cross which is fortuitously sliced wide by Town's Daryll Grant.

The second half is brighter and within five minutes Duffield latches onto a through ball to score assuredly beyond Lions' stopper Lewis Fielding. Seven minutes later Fielding saves one on one and the rebound from Mechs' skipper Danny Pickering is deflected high before looping in. Controversy rages as the Lions, pride affronted, furiously claim Duffield, virtually on the goal line and clearly offside, headed home. After an eternity the goal stands.

Jamie Hinchliffe pulls a goal back for the visitors from a corner but an equaliser never threatens. Duffield hits the post from another one on one, Kit Gregory shoots high and Conah Bishop goes close as the Mechanics win 2-1 to go fifth.