And so to Mereheath Lane in Knutsford for a Cheshire League Premier Division clash between Egerton FC and Winnington Avenue YC 94.
Egerton FC was formed in 2002 and named after founder Maurice Egerton, and, after playing in local leagues, joined the Cheshire League Division Two in 2012. This was renamed Division One for the 2014/15 season.
In May 2016 chairman Tom O'Donnell (in attendance today) announced plans to redevelop the Youth Club site in order to be eligible for promotion to the North West Counties Football League. During the 2017/18 campaign Egerton received national media coverage after signing former professionals Nathan Ellington, Dean Gorre and the (tragically) late JLloyd Samuel. In the same season, Egerton finished fourth in the Cheshire League Division One, earning promotion to the Premier Division in the process.
The Yellows entered the FA Vase in 2019/20 but the club was later withdrawn after failing a ground grading inspection. That same season Egerton put forward their nomination to move up to the NWCFL, but the season's Covid curtailment proved a blessing - 7 points from 18 games would surely have meant exiting the division in the opposite direction !! They were thwarted by FC St Helens' championship last term, finishing third.
This season has, thus far, proved to be a mixed bag - 6 wins and 6 defeats sees the Yellows in 10th (of 17).
Winnington
Avenue YC 94 was established, unsurprisingly, in 1994. Initially playing in the
Crewe and District League, where they were champions in 2014/15, Avenue joined
the Cheshire League Division Two in 2018. Unable to play at their nearby home
venue at Jubilee Fields, requiring extensive modifications, Winnington have
taken residence at Moss Farm for their Cheshire League adventures.
Promoted at the end of a Covid ravaged 2019/20 campaign Avenue went up as runners up last season after a ridiculous 8-1 final day away victory at Blacon Youth, bombing out fellow contenders Vulcan....
Avenue currently sit 7th with six wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats.
Past
the Moss Trooper, Hare & Hounds, Fusion Kitchens, Indian Stone (Paving etc)
and then a detour through affluent Hale, via the Grand Designs house on
Bankhall Lane. Beyond 'Beyond Stitching', to the site of the old Bleeding Wolf
and onto Ashley Road with numberplates NUG6S (an orange Porsche !) and B10OMY,
then a van advertising The Veteran Locksmith and finally the wise man's
registration plate - 5AGE.
Into leafy Cheshire and Ashley, the Greyhound, Tatton Weddings at Stock Barn Farm and the Tatton Mile as torrential rain pours down. Avoiding High Legh Water Tower and running the gauntlet - Gauntlet Birds of Prey - Eagle & Vulture Park - it's through flooded roads onto Mereside Road then Mereheath Lane before I reach Egerton Youth Club.
Despite previous advice that a fee would be charged to enter the cage, a crowd of 29 assembles for free. The leaf strewn astroturf surface is at the rear, trees in the distance, the social club opposite and both ends flanked by grass pitches. There is a mini sheltered terrace on the near side, which comes in handy at half time when the rain returns... but we kick off to sunshine and jets - the ground in Manchester Airport's flightpath.
Egerton,
naturally, are in yellow and black, Avenue in red and white chequers, the near
linesman wearing protective glasses. Winnington's keeper, in orange and
wearing, appropriately, the number 94 jersey makes two good saves just after
the quarter hour, parrying wide. Avenue have one effort narrowly wide from
distance - but it's all rather frenetic, littered with mistimed tackles,
overhit passes and aimless hoofing. And it's a surprise when, with less than a
minute to half time, the Yellows have two attempts blocked and the ball falls
to Milan Thompson who steers it into the top corner. Quite frankly it's a goal
the game doesn't deserve and Egerton lead 1-0 at the break.
The second half lives down to expectations - Avenue fashion a good move just after the hour on the right wing which is disappointingly wasted wide of the far post. Egerton should have been awarded a penalty shortly after, but matters liven up in the last ten minutes.
The booking count reaches four and Winnington throw caution to the wind in an attempt to find an equaliser, but without seriously threatening. That leaves them exposed at the back and prompts two excellent chances for the Yellows - the first, on the left, placed just wide and the second in injury time a 30 yard effort at an open goal, Avenue's keeper hopelessly marooned outside the box, which agonisingly brushes the outside of the post - rather summing up a match that Egerton edge 1-0....
