Foley's Night Meir - Red Card and Visitors Ville-ins Of The Piece.... !

And so to the McIntosh Arena on Whitcombe Road in Meir, Stoke on Trent, for Foley Meir's first ever North West Counties Division One South home league game against Ashville FC.

Foley Football Club was founded in 1947 by a group of friends and ex-servicemen from the now forgotten Foley district of East Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent.

A replica of Arsenal's strip was purchased from the late Les Evans, later club president, who had a shop in King Street, Longton and the club, based next to the Foley Arms, playing at 'The Open Holes', joined Longton League Division 2. Foley moved to their current ground on Whitcombe Road in Meir in 1982.

In 1996 the club joined Midland League Division Two, winning the league at the first attempt. In 2005, following the Midland League's merger with the Staffordshire County League, the club became a founder member of the Staffordshire County Senior League. 

The Foley changed name to Foley Meir - the former Midland Combination Meir KA (Kings Arms) becoming defunct in 2010. The team won the championship in 2020/21, and placed fourth last season, earning promotion to the North West Counties Football League Division One South. Three away fixtures have produced an opening day 2-1 victory at Cheadle Heath Nomads, a 7-1 drubbing in the local derby with Abbey Hulton and a 3-1 defeat to Sandbach.

Ashville FC was founded in 1949 by D-Day veteran John Dennett and his wife Joyce at 25 Ashville Road, Wallasey, initially entering the Wallasey Youth League and then joining the Bebington League in 1951. After winning the Bebington League, Ashville moved to the Wirral Combination, winning the league in all three seasons they competed in it.

In 1955 'Ville was voted into the West Cheshire League, winning Division Two in their inaugural season and after promotion to Division One relocated from Wallacre Park to Villa Park on Cross Lane in 1962. Champions in 1968 and 2012, with a couple of relegations en route, quickly rectified, the club finished runners up last term and was admitted to the North West Counties Division One South for the new campaign.

After the 4-0 home rout of Abbey Hey witnessed on the opening day, two away draws and a 5-2 home massacre of Barnton, 'Ville lost 2-1 at home to Maine Road last weekend.

Beyond Perfect Shutters and then The Vegetarian Society - appropriately registration plate V3DJY appearing opposite - and another glorious colourful floral  display at Denzell Gardens. A car displaying the Cornwall flag, more registration plates 1 LET and SIILYS, and a dogwalking business Tours 4Paws leads me to the M6. Motorway graffiti from The Pies has now been replaced by Mass Formation Psychosis...

Past lorry skirts advertising Blue Lagoon Spas, Orange County CBD and 'Are You Pregnant ?', it's off at Junction 16 onto the A500, eschewing the Bet365 stadium, and through Talke, past the Pepper Mill, Olympus Engineering, Diamond Freight and the Tam O'Shanter Inn. Then the A50 brings me to Meir and left onto the A520, Dougie Mac's, Chilli Jacks, a quirky corner shop, signs for Foxfield Steam Railway and roadworks just before Whitcombe Road.

The ground is on a private road, the pitch chiselled out of a hollow in a gorgeous setting, tree lined, with views of the Dresden suburb in the distance. There is ample parking for a crowd of 63, with at least 20 from the Wirral. £5 in, which includes a programme - shame about the date.....

The near side hosts a bar, cafe and the changing rooms whilst the bijou stand has been extended from a 24 seater to a Heinz - 57 seats. Steeply banked sides mean the top end and opposite are cordoned off - despite a cameo dreadful performance behind the goal by an Ashville pensioner....

Unlike FC St Helens, where the floodlights were a work in progress (2 up, 4 with bases installed), there is no evidence of lighting work in the ground. Which makes the derby with Stafford Town on Tuesday 4 October at 8pm rather optimistic.....

A lush pitch, glorious sunshine, which clouds over, sees Foley in red and black with yellow trim, Ashville in grey and black quarters, white backs and red shorts and socks. A young, lean referee is assisted by two very rotund linesmen.....

Seven minutes in the ball is cut back for Ashville's Liam Davies to smash into the top corner and the visitors lead. Thereafter the Foley are wasteful with Saki Ahmadi shooting well over twice, Mark Grice forcing a tremendous save from 'Ville's Michael Dixon, when he should have scored, and Dan Counter getting his header all wrong from a corner.

On the counter Ashville conjure up a glorious opportunity on 34 minutes - Sam Hunt's chip over the keeper leaves the ball on a plate for Tommy Johnstone to double the advantage, and the away side lead 2-0 at the break.

The second period is largely coma inducing - the Foley lacking urgency, invention and accuracy, and 'Ville content to sit on their two goal lead. It's game over on 69 minutes when Meir's Sam di Marco is shown a straight red for a professional foul just outside the box.

Matters are wrapped up six minutes before the end, when with both sides screaming for a free kick, a long ball is played through for Johnstone to square and sub Ben Greenop makes it three and that's how it finishes.

Borough Earn Their Stripes !!

And so to Windleshaw Sports Club in St Helens for a North West Counties Division One North fixture between FC St Helens and Bacup Borough.

FC St Helens, 'The Stripes', was established in 2014 in the heart of the town, originally as St Helens Town's reserve side. Their motto is 'Simul Nos Firmiories' - Together We Are Strong...

The club started in the West Cheshire League, before moving to the Cheshire League Division Two in 2015 and achieving promotions to Division One in 2016 and the Premier in 2018. As champions last season The Stripes were promoted to the NWCFL, replacing, ironically, former FA Vase winners St Helens Town, who finished bottom and were relegated. FC have started with a win and two draws from their opening three fixtures.

Bacup Borough, from the wonderfully named Cowtoot Lane, began life as Bacup Baldies (!) in 1879 before changing to Bacup then Bacup Borough in 1920. At the start of the 2013/14 campaign they became Bacup & Rossendale Borough, following the sad demise of Rossendale United FC. BARB only lasted two years and in 2015, after two wretched seasons, saw a reversion to Bacup Borough - not through supporter pressure but because 'evil spirits didn't approve' (I kid you not !!).

 

The Borough moved to their current ground, West View, now sponsored by local property developer Brian Boys, in 1889 and joined the Lancashire League in 1893. A move up to the Lancashire Combination in 1903 followed and the club was crowned champions in 1947.

 

Following the amalgamation of the Cheshire League and the Lancashire Combination, the club became founder members of the North West Counties in 1982. In September 1997 and after a 0-10 reverse against Tetley Walker, Brent Peters was appointed manager......and a quarter of a century on is still in charge for this afternoon's game - the world's longest serving football manager. He's also Chairman, Secretary and Director....

The club was promoted as Division Two champions in 2004 but, despite the club motto of 'Prosperity Through Endeavour', suffered relegation at the end of the 2014/15 season - those disapproving evil spirits presumably......... Borough just failed to bounce straight back, losing the play off final in extra time at Barnton in May 2016, and had two poor campaigns followed by mid table mediocrity and Covid..... This season has seen last weekend's 4-3 home win over Nelson after three straight defeats.

A horror journey which sees Dazzle The Clown, a bloke wearing a T shirt emblazoned with 'Beerilliant Dad', numberplates UR 53CUR (an alarm company) and EA55SSY and a building company advertising WhatTheMuk leads to wasps, accidents, stranded vehicles, roadworks and the M6 clogged from J20 to J26. Into Warrington and out on the A57 , the Pink Eye building, Crosfields ARLFC, Snoutwood Trotters (!), then Trigger Pond, Christmas Tree Farm and Bargyloo Farm.

 

That brings me to Bold Heath, Thatto Heath, Clock Face - its rugby league side Clock Face Miners ☺ - Sherdley Manor and via The Glass Horse to central St Helens. To Denton's Green and Tennis Street leading to Windleshaw Sports Club. Ample parking, a fiver in, and a crowd of 77 with at least 20 from Bacup.

Inside we are prevented from reaching the clubhouse by an officious steward - the ground is tree lined, a storage area next to the bar and outside seating and a very plush rest home with first floor balcony. At the top end is a playing field and a minuscule covered area, with the dugouts cordoned off and then, after a complaint, opened up prior to kick off.

St Helens are in red and white stripes, Borough in all white with dark blue herringbone sleeves. Four minutes in Bacup lead as Lewis-Simon Byrne's through ball reaches Jack Hayward, who cuts inside and flatfoots Saints' keeper Joe Mason, slotting into the far corner.

 

Thereafter FC hit the woodwork twice - one a palm onto the stanchion, the other a diving header from Zak Riley. They also miss a sitter, and half time sees Borough lead 1-0, but it's a messy half characterised by strong winds (despite the sunshine), a parched pitch and poor refereeing.

 

The weak refereeing continues into the second period, notwithstanding four Bacup yellow cards - the official failing to crack down on blatant gamesmanship. Borough go two up 6 minutes into the half with a Liam Houghton own goal, flicking in a Borough corner.

 

Houghton then follows this with a terrible miss at the other end, and Elliott Bradshaw heads over from a free kick. Finally, on 74 minutes, Jacob Stretch smashes the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box to halve the deficit.

 

But despite plenty of Stripes' huffing and puffing there is no equaliser as the game becomes increasingly bad tempered, and they are indebted to a super save from Mason at the death to leave Borough 2-1 winners.

Champagne Football From Bolly - Valley Of The Dead.....

And so to Banky Lane for a Cheshire League Division Two mid-week fixture between Mersey Valley FC and Bollington Town FC.

Mersey Valley FC from Banky Lane, which lies on the border of Sale and Carrington, was set up in 2014, joining the Cheshire League Division 2. The Ambers gained promotion in 2016, but dropped back in 2018 despite finishing mid table. Valley then resigned mid season 2019/20 with their results expunged.

The club reformed and was readmittted this summer to the Cheshire League, starting with 4 home fixtures - defeats 2-6 to Haydock FC and 0-5 to West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves, and draws 2-2 against Stretford Paddock and 1-1 with Pilkington Reserves and then a sweltering 2-0 away defeat at Lymm Rovers last Saturday. Their motto of 'Health and Happiness' rather misplaced currently.....

Bollington Town FC was established in 2021, but strangely were champions of the Altrincham and District League Division One in both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

Bolly play at the Bollington Recreation Ground just outside Macclesfield, and, after being elevated to the Cheshire League have started with four straight victories.

Beyond Arthur's Tree, The Old Pelican, Siddalls Bridge and a dog pooh fairy that doesn't exist (!) brings me to Manor Avenue. Thereafter the Sam Brooks pub, the Racecourse Estate, rebranded as 'Our Sale West', then Manor Academy 'Succeeding Together' and Mersey Farm. Numberplates on view tonight are SO11JA W, CL0 8OOT and H20 PTP (Pete The Pipe), plus a gardener advertising as Never Mower...

That brings me to Banky Lane, the sewage works to the right and Mersey Valley Sports Club on the left. The club also hosts Sale Amateurs FC on an adjoining pitch, rugby in the form of Ashton on Mersey RUFC and a bowling green - a hoofed clearance in the first few minutes landing on the green, disturbing the bowls matches in progress. The iconic liveried shipping container is at the far end, the clubhouse adjacent and the other two sides are tree lined - and with midges again the sewage works......

Mersey Valley are in amber with a black stripe, Bollington in change black and white stripes with yellow trim. Kick off is pushed back to 1845, the crowd is 30ish, and Town waste three glorious chances in the first five minutes, one from an appalling back pass matched by an equally shocking one on one miss.

No matter as Josh Connolly stabs home from a yard on 7 minutes, and when the ball comes back off the post thrashes home the rebound two minutes later, which prompts a very early home substitution. The Ambers, in a rare attacking foray, see a header drift wide from a long throw, but it's all Bolly, pressing high and depriving Valley of their possession dominated game plan. Several more opportunities are spurned - the Valley keeper having a blinder - before Connolly cuts inside and squeezes, left footed, the ball inside the post for his hat trick on 37 minutes; Town lead 3-0 at the break.

More of the same in the second half - Bolly go four up on 54 minutes, with a short corner converted by Nathan Jackson, the ball squirming through the keeper's hands. The home custodian goes down with cramp shortly after - no wonder given how overworked he has been !!

5-0 arrives ten minutes later as a gorgeous through ball sees four Bolly attackers squabble over who will score, the Ambers' shotstopper performing heroics, his defenders absent without leave, and eventually Connolly delivers the coup de grace. And that's how it finishes, Bolly passing up more chances and the Ambers forcing one tip over - Town deserved winners, but they should have had more....

Green For Rovers - Red For Ambers.....

 And so to Lymm High School and the Leisure Centre for a Cheshire League Division Two clash between Lymm Rovers FC, their fourth home outing in five, and Mersey Valley FC - their first away fixture after four straight home games.

Lymm Rovers was originally established as a junior (boys) team but after gaining FA Charter Standard Community Status set up a female section and then, in 2021, entered a seniors team in the Altrincham and District Amateur League.

Despite finishing bottom Rovers were accepted into the Cheshire League Division Two, starting with an 8-0 home loss to Hartford, a 4-3 win against Haydock (after going 4-0 up), a 6-0 thrashing at Upton (who apparently were awesome !) and then an encouraging 4-0 thumping of Atherton Laburnum Rovers' second string. 

Mersey Valley FC from Banky Lane, on the border of Sale and Carington, was set up in 2014, joining the Cheshire League Division 2. The Ambers gained promotion in 2016, but dropped back in 2018 despite finishing mid table. Valley then resigned mid season 2019/20 with their results expunged.

The club reformed and was readmittted this summer to the Cheshire League, starting with home defeats 2-6 to Haydock FC and 0-5 to West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves, and draws 2-2 against Stretford Paddock and 1-1 with Pilkington Reserves.

So on a glorious, sweltering mid August Saturday it's past the Old Cheshire Cheese, Twister Interiors and Cuts Both Ways - Ladies and Gents Hairdressing. Down to the Bowdon roundabout with registration plates J5ST DO and DA15Y B'Z on view.

The Lymm turn off brings me to Little Bollington, Ye Olde Number 3 and the Posh Bunny Motel. Thereafter Agden, the Barn Owl Inn, signs for the Traction Engine Rally this weekend, and through roadworks past the Jolly Thresher, it's a right into Oughtrington Lane and Lymm High and Leisure Centre.

Plenty of building work - and car parking ! - in evidence with the 3G pitch, one side open but spectators lurking in the shade behind the sheltered left goal and opposite (beyond the dugouts), surrounded by countryside and trees, the school on its periphery. The crowd numbers 8 - 6 pensioners, a young lady and myself, but this swells to 25 by the end. The extreme heat sees one of the (original) pensioners on the verge of collapse, staggering on the railings, midway through the second period. Thankfully he recovers...

Rovers are in dark blue, keeper Ross Laidlaw in shocking salmon, whilst Valley wear, naturally, amber with a black stripe - their custodian in red. The heat means drinks breaks every 15 minutes... and not just for the players !!

Lymm have two 'goals' chalked off for offside, before on 20 minutes a raking crossfield ball is cut back and stroked home by Rory Ridley-Thomas. Rovers hit the post with a lob, but double their lead three minutes before the break - a side to side move picks out Joe Napier-Hemy on the left and he sweeps home. Laidlaw preserves the two goal advantage with a fine save on half time.

The second half is understandably subdued as the mercury hits 32C, and is characterised by Lymm perpetually picking the wrong option and the Ambers' wild shooting. Two bookings from the referee, who is exemplary, and then in injury time Valley have a shot tipped onto the bar. The resulting corner sees a goal line clearance but it is 2-0 finalizado - exhausting.....

Rock On Tommy - Red Rebels Routed As Ville Make Hey !!!!

And so to July 30 2022 and Villa Park (no, not that one !) aka the Ray Parker Stadium in Wallasey and the start of a new season - and the beginning of a new journey for league newcomers Ashville FC who host Abbey Hey in a North West Counties Division One South curtain raiser.

Ashville FC was founded in 1949 by D-Day veteran John Dennett and his wife Joyce at 25 Ashville Road, Wallasey, initially entering the Wallasey Youth League and then joining the Bebington League in 1951. After winning the Bebington League, Ashville moved to the Wirral Combination, winning the league in all three seasons they competed in it.

In 1955 'Ville was voted into the West Cheshire League, winning Division Two in their inaugural season and after promotion to Division One relocated from Wallacre Park to Villa Park on Cross Lane in 1962. Champions in 1968 and 2012, with a couple of relegations en route, quickly rectified, the club finished runners up last term and was admitted to the North West Counties Division One South for the new campaign.

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, Manchester, 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, after 4 Manchester League championships, they moved from the Manchester League to the North West Counties and were promoted in that first season to the top tier.

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.

Relegation in 2019 leaves Hey in Division One South, but last term's 4th place finish with 26 wins and 6 draws from 38 matches bodes well for this season.

Beyond gas leaks, roadworks and a derelict Wheatsheaf brings me to the M6 and a van displaying 'Locks Off & No Broken Barrels' - a local locksmith.... Thereafter Thelwall, Woolston, the Oliver Cromwell cottage in Warrington and The Beer Necessities, and today's numberplates SK13R OZ and WHII NOT...

To the Stag at Walton with its Secret Beauty Room - so secret it's boarded up.... Then Daresbury Garden Village and the M56 (no junction 13 !!) and Stanlow with its wind turbines but no belching chimneys today.

A new bridge under construction and average motorway speed limits and then on to the M53, Cheshire Oaks and at its end Tree Frog Software and the promise of 'Intermittent Street Lighting'..... That brings me to Wallasey, the police helicopter a permanent feature this afternoon, and the Villa Park ground on a closed off industrial estate next to a dilapidated Wallasey RUFC.

Plenty of car parking at the stadium, with a bumper crowd of 207 in attendance. £5 in and the Ray Parker has only two sides open - the near end hosting the Sports & Social Club, alongside a covered stand with two rows of red seats and sponsorship from PGA Horse Transportation. The ground is backed by residential housing behind the bar, woodland opposite, Mersey Rail (Misery Rail ?), the churches and heart of Wallasey and Mosslands School on the closed off side, and the rugby club and industrial units behind.

Ville are in grey and black quarters, with white sleeves and backs, Hey in red and white 120th anniversary kit - complete with celebratory badge:

It's an incredible start for the league newbies - just over two minutes gone and a robust but fair challenge leads to the ball ending up on the right wing. Sam Hughes' delicate floated cross is delightfully volleyed home by Tommy Johnstone and the home side lead.

Three minutes later Peter Morgan, who is subject to an atrocious challenge and subsequently limps off, plays in Johnstone. His first attempt is smothered by Morecambe loanee Joe Lawton, wearing a bizarre lime green shirt matched with navy shorts and socks, but the ball breaks loose and from a yard Johnstone doubles the advantage. This prompts a pitch invasion from an overexcited toddler....

On 26 minutes it should have been three, but having bypassed Lawton a limp shot is unconvincingly cleared off the line. The Red Rebels can only fire off a shot from portly veteran Jamie Baguley which fizzes over - 'a team in transition' according to the away faithful, which equates to awful....

The second period sees 'Ville play with one up front following the departure of Morgan. No matter as Abbey Hey create very little and the home defence, expertly marshalled by captain Tom Hartley, suffer few alarms. Indeed Hartley and Matt Croft are involved in a left wing move that sets Johnstone free and he dodges Lawton and hits home for 3-0 and his hat trick on 56 minutes.

Baguley is then strangely substituted twice - the second one preceding an Ashville free kick that Johnstone, with a deflection, scores for his fourth and 4-0 with a quarter of an hour to go. Pinball in the Abbey area somehow prevents a fifth...

Finally, the Red Rebels' captain, Luke Hincks, is shown a straight red to match his shirt with two minutes left - presumably for something he said to the referee - as Villa Park sees Ashville ease home 4-0.