Jonny On The Spot Four Goalden Grey Lambs !!!!!

And so to the Park Stadium on Manchester Road for a Cheshire League Premier Division fixture between Lostock Gralam FC and Winstanley Warriors FC.

Lostock Gralam FC was founded in 1892, making the Grey Lambs (yes really !!) one of the oldest clubs in Cheshire; Gralam have played at the Park Stadium for over a century. The club also helped establish the Mid Cheshire League in 1948 as a founder member.

The club won a trio of championships between 1951 and 1953, but had to wait a decade before triumphing again in 1963. A further consecutive treble between 1966 (a 100% record - 24 matches, 24 wins) and 1968 followed, but the Grey Lambs left the Mid Cheshire League in 1975.

Lostock rejoined the Mid Cheshire League after a near 20 year hiatus for the 1993/94 season in Division Two, with promotion following in 1997 as champions. Relegated two terms later, Gralam won the (now) Cheshire League Second Division in 2010.

A yo-yo period between 2013 and 2016 (down, up, down, up) prefaced being crowned Cheshire League champions in 2019. Thereafter two Covid abandoned seasons, and fourth last time out. The Grey Lambs are seventh this season with seven wins and a draw from 11 matches - games in hand could see them rise to second, behind Broadheath Central.

Winstanley Warriors FC, from Little Lane in Goose Green in Wigan, was established in 2004. After playing in the Wigan & District League, Warriors joined the Cheshire League Division Two in 2016.

Moving up to Division One in 2018, Winstanley ascended to the top tier, the Premier, after securing 14 wins and 2 draws from 17 games in the pandemic curtailed 2019/20 season. Warriors are placed 11th (of 17) with 20 points from 12 matches - and only two points below the Grey Lambs.

Onto the A556, past Tim Burgess Chainsaw Sculptor at Rostherne, The Windmill at Tabley, Tabley House, Cuckooland, Dove Barn Weddings, The Smoker at Plumley, Celandine Court and The Weavers Whistle (formerly the Watermead) brings me to the Slow and Easy. Numberplates PR0 5E CU (a suspended sentence ?) and a flatbed R46 8ONE (an assortment of 'riches' in the back !!), a Chartered Geomatic Surveyors (no, new one on me too !!) and a dog walking business Strictly Come Wagging..... On the way back the car alongside entreats me to TE11 BEV... Into the pub car park through a tight entrance I take the 14th, and last, parking space on the grass - and pay £3, which amidst much confusion, ends up being £2....

Inside the Park Stadium the far end is an open, grassy area and there is a small covered standing area on the nearside touchline. The pub (Slow and Easy) end houses the newish changing rooms, refreshment bar and beer tables - a grass mound runs the length of the pitch on the far side. I end up sat on one of the backless benches in the sunshine, trees on three sides, opposite the chemical works peeping above the treetops.

The Grey Lambs are in, er, all blue sponsored by Kitwood House, Warriors in all red, sponsored by DPSI Group, before a crowd of 28 including toddlers plus a dog (the sign ignored !) and Winstanley make the better start, without unduly troubling Martin Blain in the home goal. But Lostock post fair warning with a shot saved at point blank range before on 36 minutes a fabulous through ball from captain Tom Hassall finds winger Jonny Jones who comfortably tucks away across the keeper, and Gralam lead 1-0 at the break. It's an interval that sees one spectator nip out for a Chinese at the nearby Ho King takeaway....

The second period is all about one man - Jonny Jones. Two minutes in a fabulous kick from hand by Blain finds Jones all alone on the right wing and he lobs the onrushing Warriors stopper. Changing wings Jones completes his hat trick on 59 - another exquisite through ball, dummied by the centre forward and a lofted finish makes it 3-0.

Eight minutes later it becomes four as Jones sidesteps Winstanley's custodian and hits home for Jones 4 Warriors 0. Two minutes on he is played in again, but unselfishly squares the ball for Hassall to tap into an empty net. His reward - substitution and loud applause.

The Grey Lambs have a sixth incorrectly ruled out, and Warriors see their hand ball 'goal' disallowed, before their substituted number six is shown a red card for something he said to the linesman. The last action produces a fabulous save from Blain, preserving his clean sheet and a 5-0 home victory - summing up one of those days for Winstanley, but then again the reverse fixture is scheduled for next Saturday....

Milan Is The Man - Let's Be Avenue As Winning(ton) Lose

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....

Eagles Soar - But Reduced to Gulls....Yellows Peril At The Death !

And so to Great Sankey and Thornton Lane for a Cheshire League Premier Division fixture between Eagle Sports and Egerton.

Founded in 1928, Eagle Sports began life as a works team for Electro Hydraulics. After a company merger Sports relocated from Warrington to Great Sankey before competing in the Warrington & District League (W&DL) and in 1941 moved to Thornton Road soon after.

After a successful and lengthy stint in the W&DL, The Gulls moved up to the Mid Cheshire League in 2004, renaming as Penketh & Sankey Eagle and crowned as Division 2 champions in their first season. Relegated the year after, the club reverted to the Eagle Sports FC name and were promoted back to the now Cheshire League Division 1 in 2009.

Sports have won the JB Parker Cup twice, the Warrington Guardian Cup, the Cheshire League Memorial Cup and the Liverpool Cup. Promoted as runners up in 2014 Sports remain there, finishing third in 2015 and 2019, and currently sitting 7th this season.

Egerton FC was formed in 2002 and was named after its founder, Maurice Egerton. After playing in local leagues, the Yellows moved up to the Cheshire League and in May 2016 chairman Tom O'Donnell announced plans to redevelop the site in Mereheath Lane, just outside Knutsford, in order to be eligible for promotion to the North West Counties Football League.

In the 2017/18 campaign, Egerton received national media attention after the signings of 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. Egerton entered the FA Vase in 2019/20 but the club was later withdrawn after failing a ground grading inspection.

That same season the Yellows put forward their nomination to move up to the NWCFL, but the season's curtailment proved a blessing - 7 points from 18 games would surely have meant exiting the division in the opposite direction !! But this time third place may yet mean promotion... and indeed rumours on the terraces of Whalley Range suggest this is a done deal...

Due to emergency bridge repairs on Thelwall Viaduct an alternative route is needed at the last minute - so past Venom IT, Garveys (still advertising St Patrick's Day !) and Dogs and Divas, it's onto the M60 and beyond Chill Factore and off after Barton Bridge at junction 11, joining the A57. Then the Barley Farm pub, with hordes of Sale Sharks fans descending on the AJ Bell, City Airport and Makro brings me to Irlam and Cadishead.

The weather takes a turn for the worse with heavy, almost torrential rain. Eventually I reach Rixton where there is Anterior - open by appointment only apparently. Thereafter Juniper Farm and Woolston with signs for Paddington House Hotel and the strangely named florist - La Beau Fleurs. Numberplates en route DG11TAL, a second appearance from T22URDS (for those unfortunate blockages !) are matched by NU22 NOW at a car dealership, and CH04CAT and CH12CAT on Cheshire Cat buses in town.

Into the centre of Warrington, eschewing The Hop Pole brings me to Skittles, a vanity project reputedly costing £1m. That is quickly followed by The Golden Gates and the iconic Pink Eye.

Turning into Old Liverpool Road brings me to Sankey Bridges and the shuttered Coach & Horses and Sloop Inn before I reach Thornton Road. Eagle Sports Club is down a rutted road on the right, and the car park is no better...

Ahead of me is the main pitch and beyond a rugby pitch, and in the distance another football pitch - with Fiddlers Ferry power station in the background. It's a railed off ground with the main side tarmacked to half way and the dugouts. Behind those is the Eagle Sports Social Club selling its own Up The Gulls canned beer.

The changing rooms are at the near end, and the other three sides are framed by residential housing - see attachments at the foot of the report.

Eagles are in two tone blue - light blue with a diagonal dark blue stripe and the Yellows, unsurprisingly, in yellow and black. A young referee and two linesmen, one begloved, the other sporting a full tattoo sleeve get matters underway in front of a crowd of 25ish. That crowd dissipates as the weather turns vile - driving rain, hail and a biting wind; the promised sunny spells do not arrive until the second half but the wind ensures there is little warmth from the sun.

The Gulls start better, having a shot shovelled wide and two shouts for a penalty. Then on 23 minutes home captain Coleman heads in decisively from a corner. There is nothing from the visitors until 2 minutes before the break when the left back shoots from 25 yards, prompting a sprawling save round the post.

The second half starts in similar vein, both sides struggling with the wind - but the Gulls (understandably !) coping better. A sliced defensive clearance is well held by Egerton's keeper and he then dives at the feet of a home striker to prevent a second goal.

On 62 minutes he produces a superb tip over, then claws away a viciously inswinging corner, saving the rebound and the follow up is cleared off the line. A deflected shot wide and another effort palmed aside continues to stymie the      Gulls.

Egerton are frustrated with their end product creating only wild shooting. That is until the 93rd minute when, out of nothing, a worldy volley into the top left corner gives them an undeserved equaliser. Matters are all over seconds later.

The equaliser is blamed on a home supporter trapping the ball from a miscued Gulls' shot and delivering the ball back to the Yellows' keeper instead of allowing the ball to run into the long grass and running down the clock.....

 

Greenalls Not Bitter - Bears With Sore Heads.....

And so to January 2022 and a Cheshire League Premier Division fixture between GPSO (Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds) and Congleton Town Reserves at Walkers, now known as The Tetleys Club, on Long Lane in Warrington - last week's game against Broadheath Central, celebrating their centenary this year, having fallen foul of the weather.

Greenalls FC was established in 1963 and was formerly the local Greenalls Brewery works team. Greenalls played in the Warrington and District Football League for many years with the highlight being winning the Guardian Cup and the Division One title in the same year, 1988.

During the 2002/03 season Greenalls were approached by Padgate St Oswalds who played in the Mid Cheshire League Division 2 about the possibility of merging teams. The merger was then agreed and in place for the 2003/04 campaign, where they emerged as champions - they have remained in the top flight ever since and won the Cheshire League in 2010/11. 

Congleton Town FC was formed in 1901, starting life in the Crewe and District League where they were champions in their first three seasons. This prompted a move to the North Staffordshire & District League, and having conquered this in the 1919/20 season they were off again - this time to the Cheshire County League.

 

45 years later and yet to crack it, there was a brief 3 season foray into the Manchester League before joining the Mid Cheshire League. After winning this three times in 1974, 1976 and 1978, Town reverted back to the Cheshire County League and their last ever season there brought the Division 2 championship in 1982.

 

The restructuring of the leagues saw Congleton become founder members of the North West Counties League, and they moved up to the newly created Northern Premier League Division One in 1988. Perennial strugglers, Town was finally relegated back to the top tier of the NWCFL in 2001 - and continue to play their football there, currently just above half way this term in the top division.

 

The reserve side was formed from a three way merger of Town, Congleton Vale Rovers and Congleton Rovers in June 2020.

 

Congleton Town are known as the Bears, a throwback to the 1620s when bearbaiting was popular in the town and if historic lore is to be believed, in an attempt to attract more spectators, it used money set aside for a Bible to buy a more aggressive bear:

 

'Congleton Rare, Congleton Rare,

Sold the Bible to buy a bear.'

 

Consequently the town became known as Beartown....

Congleton's Reserves currently sit sixth (of 18) with 32 points from 19 games whilst the home side are averaging a point per match after 15 games, and lie 13th.
 
Straight into roadworks 'Narrow Lanes - Do Not Overtake Oyclists' (seriously !), then past Pure Fades and to the M56, with en route numberplates R4CYS, MOO1E, WE11DER (can't guess his profession !!) and then a truck emblazoned with Stage Freight... Over Thelwall and off at Juniper Park into Woolston to the centre of Warrington.
 
Then via Beamont Community Primary School with its strange sign for Wasps Out of School Care, and opposite Woolston Detachment - the local Army Cadet base. Passing the Blackburne Arms, The Furry Dogmother and So & Sew brings me to Long Lane and the A50 and the Tetleys Club, hosting an engagement party this afternoon. The sign highlighting that this is the home of Fearnhead FC and Greenalls FC is obsolete - Fearnhead and another previous tenant, Tetley Walkers FC, long since consigned to oblivion.
 
The floodlights are for the two bowling greens, with the football pitch behind, surrounded by conifers at both ends and residential properties and brambles (where a ball gets lost in the first half !!) on the away side in the glorious sunshine. A small covered four step cosy breeze block corrugated iron stand is next to the changing rooms and the clubhouse on the home, shaded side. The attendance today is 19 plus a baby - although more have congregated by the end.

Greenalls are naturally in green and black, The Bears in change all purple, and one of the linesmen is in glasses, gloves and tights....
 
An early Bears chance produces a one on one but the number 9 doesn't shoot, overcomplicates matters and loses the ball and his footing. Then on 21 minutes GPSO take the lead with a sumptuous drive from the edge of the penalty box into the bottom left corner.
 
The Bears hit the bar with a header twelve minutes later, but Greenalls have the best opportunity for another goal four minutes before the break. A one two results in a clear trip and a penalty is awarded, resulting in an abject miss into the conifers...
 
No matter as within seconds of the restart a horror mistake from Congleton's centre back gifts possession in the penalty area to the home side. The first effort is saved and the rebound doesn't happen because of a tug - a second penalty kick is given with a different taker and outcome leaving GPSO 2-0 up - their goalscorers being Ben McWilliams and Przemek Staniszewski
 
Thereafter Greenalls really should put the game to bed, missing several good chances and hitting the post - meanwhile the Bears' cupboard is bare...
 
Then with nine minutes to go the ball bobbles over Greenalls' centre half's boot, a feat subsequently matched by both goalkeepers - but both save themselves embarrassment by scrambling back. That leaves an easy task for the Bears to sweep home and halve the deficit.
 
Shortly after a dreadful dive in the box by a Congleton sub results in a yellow card for simulation - matched by three bookings for the home team, including their manager, in a fractious final twenty minutes. The Bears' final effort is a header from their makeshift centre forward deep into injury time which is comfortably saved to leave Greenalls 2-1 winners and give GPSO their first league win since September.
 

Two Home Sides, Two Away Sides, Two Apiece !!

And so, under unusual circumstances, to Salisbury Fields in Broadheath, home of Broadheath Central FC, for today's Cheshire League Premier Division clash. The designated home team is Egerton FC, from Mereheath Lane just outside of Knutsford, whilst the 'away' side are the very same Broadheath Central. Quite whether this is down to PanicDemic19 or last week's wanton vandalism at Egerton Youth Club is not quite clear.....

Egerton FC was formed in 2002 and was named after its founder, Maurice Egerton. After playing in local leagues, the Yellows moved up to the Cheshire League and in May 2016 chairman Tom O'Donnell announced plans to redevelop the site in order to be eligible for promotion to the North West Counties Football League.

In the 2017/18 campaign, Egerton received national media attention after the signings of 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. Egerton entered the FA Vase in 2019/20 but the club was later withdrawn after failing a ground grading inspection.

That same season the Yellows put forward their nomination to move up to the NWCFL, but the season's curtailment proved a blessing - 7 points from 18 games would surely have meant exiting the division in the opposite direction !! Two wins and two losses this time around leaves Egerton exactly midtable, 9th of 17.

Broadheath Central Junior FC was established in 1922, and played in local Saturday and Sunday Leagues for many years before joining the Mid Cheshire League in 1991 and immediately gaining promotion to Division One. Relegated in 1997, Central left the (now) Cheshire League in 2009 for the Altrincham and District Amateur League.

Heath rejoined the Cheshire League in 2016, and moved up from the First Division to the Premier in 2019 after a fiery 1-1 draw with the now defunct Blacon Youth (still extant in Division Two via their Reserve side) in very late May. Eighteen games last time, thirteen points and thirteenth place at curtailment was a disappointment. This campaign two wins, two draws and a solitary loss in an entertaining clash with Altrincham Reserves leaves last weekend sees Broadheath one place above the Yellows.

Almost certainly my shortest trek to a match sees me spend ten minutes walking via Claremont Tennis Club, a large dead rat on the pavement outside Aura Apartments and then left into Salisbury Road opposite the Old Cheshire Cheese pub (now Heatcraft) and Cryoniq.

Terraced houses living cheek by jowl bring me to the railed off Salisbury Fields, surrounded by trees in various states of autumnal undress, and with the Bridgewater Canal, towpath and modern apartment block just visible in the distance.

Numberplates GR11LAS (Gorilla Barbers - struggling to see their USP) and H3XED feature en route. Central occupy Unit 18 of The Arches & Quay House Business Park Estate constructed out of the old viaduct, providing changing rooms and a coffee shop.

Storm Aiden brings strong winds, variable sunshine and a brief shower as a youngsters' game alongside finishes shortly before the 2pm kick off. A fluctuating crowd approaches 50, with a healthy and vocal Egerton contingent in the corner.

Egerton are in yellow and black, sponsored by MyProtein, Broadheath in red and black stripes, endorsed by SoeShe, and we're underway at two minutes before two.

Central are denied by the Yellows' keeper's legs before on 17 minutes an imbecilical decision leads to the opening, home goal. Egerton are awarded a free kick in their penalty box, and for mystifying reasons choose to blast the ball at a Central player barely two yards away. The ball ricochets out to the right wing and a gorgeous, arcing cross is met by a hopeful lunge, with just enough purchase to stab the ball into the net.

Arguments rage and Egerton receive three yellow cards in the next ten minutes before regaining their composure. On the half hour Dougie Pringle's shot is blocked and ripples the side netting. My neighbour celebrates the 'goal' - a few seconds too early as the resultant corner is touched in.

Decent chances at both ends but 1-1 at the break, which lasts barely six minutes and sees the referee and linesman use their cars as improvised dressing rooms......

Within a minute a misplaced Broadheath pass falls for Niall Rhodes, who cuts in and finishes with aplomb, smashing into the bottom left hand corner. Parity is restored 9 minutes later as the ball is not cleared and Central's left winger emulates Rhodes with a wonderful strike into the top right hand net.

A flurry of substitutions disrupts the flow of the game, but you feel the next goal will prove to be the winner. Sadly it never arrives, despite two desperate saves at the death, one at each end, with Rhodes denied by an unorthodox legs first block. 2-2 at the finish is a fair outcome, whether you're home or away.....