Town Get The Lowe Down - Shakers Benefit From 'Home' Advantage !!!!

And so to the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Road and a tie between Uttoxeter Town FC against Bury FC. But not to the Oldfields Sports and Social Club in Uttoxeter - and its charming three dugouts with cushioned benches carrying the names of some family members of 'Deano'. Instead the FA have switched the match to Gigg Lane in Bury for 'safety reasons'.

Uttoxeter Town FC was formed in 1972 when they split from Uttoxeter Amateurs after a disagreement on the club's location. Town joined the North Premier Division of the Staffordshire County League, but in the late 1970s the club switched to Sunday league football.

About 30 years later the club reverted back to Saturday football and rejoined the Staffordshire County Senior League. The 2012–13 season saw Uttoxeter win Division One of the league. For the 2014–15 season Town became one of the founding members of the Midland Football League, but only for one term, dropping back to the Staffordshire League for financial reasons.

The club entered the FA Vase in 2015 for the first time, progressing to the third round before being eliminated by Coleshill Town - they were beaten by the same side in the second round the following year. The prize money they earned from their Vase exploits enabled them to overcome their financial issues and they rejoined Division One of the Midland League in 2016.

In 2021 Uttoxeter gained promotion to the Premier Division based on their results in the Covid abandoned 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons. However last time finishing 19th of 20 seemed to prompt demotion and a lateral move to the North West Counties Division One South, but after a failed appeal the club was reprieved of relegation and a move to the NWCFL as Winsford United took voluntary relegation. Their Midland Football League Premier campaign commences next Saturday at home to Darlaston Town.

The 'away' side, Bury FC, was covered, comprehensively, in depth last week. Since the 5-1 walloping of Glossop North End on the opening day, the Shakers won 3-1 at Colne on Tuesday - Colne another club saved by their supporters after turbulent times and reckless previous ownership. Sound familiar ?

Amidst the remnants of Storm Antoni en route a Chapter 8 Traffic Managment van (yes really !!), another vehicle advertising 'For Dogs Sake', and numberplates R4CYS, ROM4N and JP11LOW. Then to Metrosh*t, crowded by fans going to the friendly between Manchester United and Lens (the Reds winning 3-1 but Onana chipped from the half way line) and two cricket Hundreds matches - both subsequently abandoned.

Past a barge titled 'It'll Do', Watch House Cruising Club and graffiti announcing 'No Problemo' brings me to the city centre. The Anthologist, The Alchemist, Nudo Sushi Box and then the Robert Owen statue - founder of the Co-operative movement.

An inquisitive fox at Abraham Moss, Mezzepotamia restaurant at Besses o' th' Barn, Cocklestorm and to Bury. Bury is the birthplace of Robert Peel, twice Prime Minister and founder of the Metropolitan Police Service - and commemorated by a statue and a freehouse.... Sadly the Shakers' mascot, Peeler, is off duty today....

The town centre provides Compendium Escape Rooms, Cup o' Rosie, The Big Fandango, Jacket Inn, Willy's Underwear and Bricks & Motor Insurance. I pay another visit to the East Lancs Railway - 2 steam engines in residence, one dressed up as Thomas the Tank Engine, and outside is the Bury Suicide Remembrance Stone.

Down past Bury Athletic Club to Gigg Lane; so not to Oldfields....

Instead to the Shakers......

£10 in again and this time I'm in the Les Hart (South) Stand, the Neville Neville (North) Stand is also partially open, but both The Len Johnrose (Manchester Road) and Arthur Ashworth (Cemetery End) stands are closed. Town are in yellow and blue, sponsored by Peter J Douglas, and Bury in all white with a crowd of 2,903 against a backdrop of grey sky and drizzle. There is a solitary Uttoxeter Town flag, proudly waved....

The much changed Shakers struggle to find their rhythm, and minnows Uttoxeter take the lead on 11 minutes with Mikey Conlon's deflected shot looping over Jack Atkinson. Ben Price has an opportunity to make it two but plants his header over the bar, whilst Bury's Connor Comber has a shot that rebounds off the chest of Town keeper Charlie Wood.

The 23rd minute changes the course of the game and is a tale of both number 9s. Uttoxeter's Paul Hughes has his effort saved and the counterattack sees a superb crossfield ball, expertly taken in his stride by Benito Lowe, and his first touch finish levels the match up.

Thereafter Abs Obasoto and Louis Gilboy, twice, go close and Comber shoots over the bar. But the Shakers lead 2-1 at the break, with right back Sean Higgins heading down a cross into the roof of the net.

The interval sees the heavens open and no change as Bury dominate. Wood makes a phenomenal save from Comber's header and Obasoto shoots wildly over the bar. At the other end Hughes has a header saved, before Wood comes up with another stunning stop from Comber's drive.

Eventually the pressure tells.... On 72 minutes Lowe outmuscles his marker on the by line and smashes the ball into opposite corner from an acute angle to make it 3-1. Uttoxeter then benefit from the openness of the tie - Eric Graves' shot sees a good block from Atkinson, and Conlon, from distance, fires narrowly over.

But the Shakers finish strongly with Gilboy's effort saved by Wood at the near post. Then in the 94th minute left back Gaz Peet is fouled in the box and Comber finally has his goal, scoring from the spot to finish matters at 4-1 to the 'away' side.

Church Prayers Answered As Bucks Fail To Fizz

So to the second weekend in August and the ‘magic’ of the FA Cup, with today’s chosen Extra Preliminary Round tie seeing a trip over the tops to The DSM Memorial Ground as Penistone Church FC play Bootle FC with Northern Counties East meeting North West Counties.

Penistone Church FC was formed in 1906 from the merger of Penistone Choirboys and Penistone Juniors, and competed initially in the Sheffield Amateur League. In 1909 Church were the first winners of the Sheffield Junior Cup, which they won again in 1937.

The club became a founder member of the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League in 1983 after the merger of local leagues. Church reached the Premier League in 1995 but were something of a yo-yo club in the 1990s.

The club was promoted to the Northern Counties East League Division 1 in 2014 and qualified for the inaugural Division One play offs in 2016, losing out to AFC Emley. A year later Church beat Grimsby Borough in the play off final to win promotion to the Premier League, and also won the Northern Counties East Football League Cup. Last season saw a creditable 7^th position in the top tier.

The original Bootle FC was formed in 1879 and played its first fixture in 1880. The club were Everton FC's main rivals and competed with them for a prestigious place in the newly formed Football League. The Bucks narrowly lost out as only one club per area was permitted to join.

In 1889 the club became founder members of the Football Alliance, finishing runners up and FA Cup quarter finalists. The Football Alliance then became the Football League Second Division with Bootle finishing a respectable 8th but then resigning due to ongoing financial problems - ironically being replaced by Liverpool FC - and then folding.

The club was resurrected after World War II and joined the Lancashire Combination in 1948. The Bucks decided not to sign Bert Trautmann, apparently not wanting to cause upset because of local war feelings, and he joined St Helens and moved on to bigger and better things. The club won the league at the first attempt but struggled in the top flight, before resigning and folding again during the 1953/54 campaign.

In 1953 the current club was formed as Langton FC, playing in local Bootle leagues then the Liverpool County Combination. Twenty years on there was a successful request to change name to the latest incarnation of Bootle FC.

A year later the Bucks joined the Lancashire Combination and after two championship successes left to enter the Cheshire County League. In 1982 the Cheshire County League was one of the leagues merged to form the North West Counties Football League with Bootle FC a founder member.

After relegation to the Second Division, in 2002 the club dropped back into the Liverpool County Combination as Bucks Park on Copy Lane closed its doors for the last time. Four years later with a new ground, New Bucks Park at Vesty Road (now sponsored by TDP Solicitors), the Bucks were re-elected to the NWCFL and promoted as champions to the top division in 2009 – runners up in 2017 their best finish.

It's another sunkissed afternoon as, appropriately, I pass Cool Tan, Sunsation and Tan 'n' Tonic, before reaching the execrable ELCTRICAL TOILETORIES T & T Pound Plus - open 7 days a week (make that none !!)

Onto the M60, past the Co-op pyramid and its crystal Methodist, then The Light sociable cinema (whatever that means ?) at Stockport's Red Rock leisure development. Off at Denton Rock to the M67 at the end of which is a Big Baps butty van.

Through Hollingworth, to the pretty village of Tintwistle, Arnfield Fly Fishery and then Crowden where the scale of depletion in reservoir levels is striking. It's a glorious day for driving the Woodhead Pass and into the Peak District National Park, marred only by the brown and scorched countryside. Then into Barnsley Metropolitan District Council territory - twinned with Gorlovka and Schwabisch Gmund !!

I turn off at The White Heart into Penistone, along a tidy High Street, then down Victoria Street to the DSM Memorial Ground on Church View Road. Plenty of parking next to the stadium this week, a colourful flower bed outside the turnstile, and a fiver in.

Inside there is a busy clubhouse at the near end with the changing rooms adjoining. To my left is the covered stand, terracing giving way to black and white seats up to the half way line – and the ubiquitous Totty Signs advertising hoarding in these parts !! The rest of the ground is open with just a walkway on the opposite touch line and a mini pitch behind the goal at the top end. Naturally (the clue is in the football club name and address) there is a church in sight, standing imperiously above the houses, bells pealing away. Another deckchair in evidence – and some shooting sticks too !!

There is housing behind the main stand but beyond that are fabulous views of the Yorkshire countryside, topped by an even prettier landscape opposite.

Church are aiming to replicate their FA Cup run from last season, winning three rounds before losing to Harrogate Town in the Second Qualifying Round. They are in black and white stripes, the Bucks in all blue with yellow trim. Referee and one linesman are in regulation all black, but the paunchy assistant next to me has white flashes on his kit.......strange.

The Bucks have brought decent and raucous support, swelling the crowd to 165. Notwithstanding a bone dry pitch, burnt in places, Church begin dreadfully and Bootle should really take advantage. Andrew Gillespie ghosts in unchallenged and then swipes the ball well wide. Church's keeper, Chris Snaith, makes two excellent stops to deny Mike Ordish and Carl Peers, but surely it's just a question of time.....

Then on 25 minutes the Bucks' defence switches off and Church's Kieran Ryan pinches the ball, twists and turns before shooting low into the corner past a wrong footed Ryan Jones. It is Penistone's only chance in the first period.

There is no change in Bootle's style of play and they continue to dominate, hitting the woodwork before finally three minutes from half time Peers is played in, Snaith hesitates and the attacker rolls the ball home to restore parity.

The second half sees a rather better home performance, particularly at the back with the defence well organised by veteran Brett Lovell. Nonetheless the Bucks do create chances. Ben Jago forces a fine diving save from Snaith, and the custodian blocks Elliott Nevitt's effort with his legs.

Church have come more into the game without really threatening until a quarter of an hour to go. Ryan is given too much time and space in the corner, before crossing to the back post where Nathan Keightley heads the ball back across Jones - the ball seemingly crossing the line in slow motion.

Bootle throw men forward, creating pressure but no meaningful chances as the Bucks fizzle out (sorry !!). Indeed Church come the closer to scoring - Bootle's Lee McConchie mistimes his header, it catches in the swirling wind, and from fully 25 yards out loops over Jones and hits the frame of his own goal. 2-1 to Church at the finish and high hopes of another lucrative FA Cup run remain.

All's Not Well For Wells As Linnets On Song

And so to the first Saturday in August and the return of football J The season's opener this time brings the magic of the FA Cup to the Millbank Linnets Stadium, with Runcorn Linnets facing Hemsworth Miners Welfare in the Extra Preliminary Round. The clubs met at the same stage last year with Hemsworth 2-1 victors at home, both sides having a man sent off.

The home club started as Highfield and Camden Tanneries Recreation Club in 1918. Renamed as Runcorn FC the Linnets won the Cheshire County League in its first season, and enjoyed a League and Cup double in 1937. In 1968 the club became founder members of the Northern Premier League, winning it twice, and the pinnacle was the Alliance Premier League title in 1982.

During the 1993/94 season the Linnets' stadium at Canal Street nearly fell apart. A perimeter wall collapsed during a cup game with Hull City, the roof blew off one stand and the main stand was destroyed by fire. This crippled the club and relegation, for the first time ever, followed.

In 2000 Canal Street was sold, with the club moving to the Halton Stadium at Widnes, and rebranding as Runcorn FC Halton. However the Linnets' precarious financial position forced a move out of the Halton Stadium, first to Southport's Haig Avenue and then to Prescot Cables' Valerie Park. Unable to pay players' wages the club finished bottom, suffered a second successive relegation and in 2006 resigned from the league and ceased activity.

Runcorn Linnets FC was formed on 28 April 2006 at the spiritual home of Canal Street in the Quayside function rooms next to the Linnets Park housing estate. The new club joined Division 2 of the North West Counties Football League and ground shared at Witton Albion's Wincham Park. The Linnets were promoted as runners up in their first season to Division 1 (now Premier Division), missing out on the title on goal difference.

The club moved to its new stadium on Murdishaw Avenue in 2010 at the end of its R2R (Return 2 Runcorn) project. The last six seasons have all seen top six finishes, including three consecutive second places - but the NWCFL Challenge Cup was won in 2013.

The visitors, Hemsworth Miners Welfare FC from the Yorkshire NuBuilds Stadium in Fitzwilliam, began life in 1981 following the demise of Hemsworth Colliery FC the year before. The club joined the Doncaster & District Senior League Division 3, and three successive promotions took the Wells to the Premier Division in 1988.

Hemsworth won the Premier Division Cup in 1995 and then moved to the West Riding County League. Division 1 was won in the 1996/97 season, and in 2007/08 a fourth place finish in the Premier Division was enough to earn promotion to Division 1 of the Northern Counties East League. The Wells were crowned champions in 2015/16 to rise to the NCEL Premier Division.

So on a blustery, sunny afternoon it's past the carved wooden eagle on Manchester Road, the closed Wheatsheaf pub, the shut Altrincham Shaver & Repair Centre and beyond the recently opened Da Noi restaurant, a welcome replacement for the execrable Champz (Chumpz ?) bar. A glorious floral display at Denzell Gardens takes me to the M56 where a pile up on the opposite carriageway sees tailbacks as far as the Stretton Fox.

Off at Daresbury, through Preston Brook and into Murdishaw where the Millbank Linnets Stadium is behind the defunct Halton Arms pub. Overflow car parking on the building site heralds an attendance of 324.

Past the existing clubhouse and into the ground where there is a small covered terrace behind the goal, the back wall completely covered by the two Hemsworth flags. One proclaims 'Poey is Innocent', a reference to an 'innocent' miner jailed during the Miners' Strike after an incident in Fitzwilliam, the birthplace of Geoff Boycott.

Next to it is the reason for all the building work - a brand new clubhouse being constructed in the corner. Along the popular side is a modest all seater covered stand, with the message on the roof stating 'By the fans, for the fans'. The rest of the ground comprises a fenced in walkway, surrounded on three sides by open fields and trees.

The Linnets are in yellow and green hoops, the Wells all blue with black trim. Linnets are first to threaten but Freddie Potter's chip barely troubles Jacob Collier (most appropriate !!) in the away goal. At the other end a hopeful ball puts Lloyd Henderson through but he shoots with the wrong foot and the ball curls away from goal.

Play is somewhat disjointed and niggly, not helped by the gusting wind. Stu Wellstead's forces a splendid save from Collier before on 25 minutes Kris Holt's cross sees an absent Wells back line and captain Kyle Hamid heads the ball beyond Collier to give the Linnets the lead.

Seven minutes before half time brings the game's flashpoint. Wells' David Briggs launches a dreadful studs up challenge on Holt and all last season's animosity flares up again in the ensuing scuffle. Eventually, after much pushing and shoving, Briggs receives a straight red card.

The second half sees Wells struggle to create much in the way of attacking opportunities as the man disadvantage tells. The Linnets find the Hemsworth rearguard well organised and obdurate. Harry Viggars' mistake, dispossessed by Potter who has a clear run on game that results in a lame finish beyond the post, the only clear cut chance.

The final quarter brings another excellent save from Collier, tipping Holt’s header from a corner on to the bar, and Paul Shanley's measured strike is just off target. With six minutes to go a cross from the right finds Shanley at the back post and he tees it up, just outside the six yard box, for the onrushing Michael Simpson to steer into the bottom corner. 2-0 and the tie is over, with Wells coming up dry J

Admirals Sunk As Nelson Meet Their Trafalgar...

And so to the magic of the FA Cup, and fittingly to Little Wembley, otherwise known as Victoria Park, the home of Nelson FC. The Admirals (it couldn't be anything else !!) welcome the Bishops, Bishop Auckland FC, in the FA Cup Preliminary Round.

Nelson FC was founded in 1881, joining the Lancashire League in 1889 and becoming champions in 1896. The club folded during the 1898/99 season and was expelled by the Lancashire FA. Having rejoined the League in 1900, the club again closed down in 1916 with bailiffs called in.

 

Having reformed in 1918 and entered the Central League, the Admirals became founder members of the Football League Division 3 North in 1921. Promotion to Division 2 followed in 1923, and the side embarked on a Spanish preseason tour which saw them beat Real Madrid 4-2 !

 

Sadly the club was relegated after only one season, and against a backdrop of struggling form, falling attendances and growing debt (even a fund raising carnival lost £20 !) the team finished bottom of the League in 1931. They failed to win re-election and were replaced by Chester City. Having dropped into the Lancashire Combination the Admirals folded once more in August 1936 due to crippling debts.

 

Hastily reformed as Nelson Town the new club entered the local Nelson & Colne League in which they played up to the start of World War II. After a further reformation in 1946 and rejoining the Lancashire Combination, the Admirals were crowned champions in 1950 and again in 1952, the latter under the stewardship of Joe Fagan, who went on to manage Liverpool.

 

In 1971 the football club moved from its Seedhill base, home since 1905 and which also hosted the Nelson Admirals speedway team, to Victoria Park. Seedhill became a stock car racing venue, but was all but demolished when the M65 was built.

 

Nelson FC became a founder member of the North West Counties Football League in 1982 but was evicted in 1988 due to ground grading requirement failures. A four year sojourn in the West Lancashire League ended with readmittance to the NWCFL as Victoria Park, or Little Wembley as the locals christened it, was upgraded. The Admirals resigned from the league in 2010 but after a 12 month 'sabbatical' returned and were promoted to the Premier Division in 2014.

For Bishop Auckland it all started when theological students from Oxford and Cambridge Universities, whilst studying at Auckland Castle (the home of the Bishop of Durham in Bishop Auckland) formed a team known as Bishop Auckland Church Institute in 1882.

 

A later dispute caused a breakaway team to be formed - Auckland Town - in 1886/87. It was from this upheaval that Bishop Auckland FC was born. The club chose the light and dark blue colours of the original Church Institute, representing the colours of Oxbridge - and giving rise to their alternative nickname 'The Two Blues'.

 

Auckland Town was a founder member of the Northern League in 1889 but left after one season, returning in 1893 as Bishop Auckland. Between 1893 and 1988 the Bishops won the league championship a record 19 times and reached the old FA Amateur Cup 18 times, winning the Cup on 10 occasions. There was a famous double in 1938/39 with future Liverpool player and manager Bob Paisley playing at right back in the team. When the FA Amateur Cup competition ceased in 1974 the club was presented with a replica of the trophy in recognition of its outstanding record.

 

The Bishops entered the Northern Premier League in 1988, staying for 18 seasons, before reverting back to the Northern League. This was mainly due to ground issues, as the team moved from its spiritual home at Kingsway, and following groundshares at Shildon, Spennymoor and West Auckland, moved to the purpose built Heritage Park in October 2010 thus befitting the club motto 'Tempori Parendum' (One must move with the times).

Onto Washway Road, past WAGS (that's Wash And Groom Salon for dogs - insert your own joke !) and then to Barton Bridge and inevitable queues for the Trafford Centre and Chill Factore. Smart motorway but the signs inform us that '27 vehicles ran out of fuel in July' - not so smart !!

 

The M66 sees the landscape a mass of wind turbines under leaden grey skies as I pass a trundling van proclaiming itself 'The Cafe at the End of the Universe'...... Off the M65 and past the Thatch & Thistle, the old ground at Seedhill and down into a curious industrial estate on the outskirts of Nelson which also features terraced housing.

 

Little Wembley - well to be honest I'm not seeing the resemblance...... Victoria Park is bordered by trees on two sides in surrounding parkland. Along one side there is a tidy low roofed wooden stand, with its green seats, although the multitude of wooden supports makes viewing difficult. Opposite are the dugouts behind which are the back gardens of the houses on Holme Terrace and a chimney rising out of the industrial units. The clubhouse and changing rooms are behind the goal at the top end of the ground whilst the Admirals Executive Lounge is a rusting portacabin....

Despite the gloomy weather predictions of heavy rain, the black clouds race past leaving the tie to kick off in blustery but sunny conditions. The Admirals are in blue with white sleeves, and their goalkeeper in salmon, whilst the Bishops are in change lurid fluorescent lime - truly shocking !!

 

Within two minutes the Admirals lead as centre back Richard Cowan heads home from a corner. Thereafter the Bishops are sloppy, enjoying plenty of possession but with no incision and frequently caught offside. Obdurate home defending limits the away side to a routine save from Andrew Johnson whilst Chris Winn shoots narrowly over from distance, and Michael Hoganson's free kick is just wide.

 

Little has been seen from the home team, content to frustrate, until Zak Dale's mesmerising run takes him beyond three defenders, rounding the keeper before his shot is hacked off the line. And then the Bishops' prayers are answered as just before the break a diagonal ball finds Hoganson who lays the ball onto Johnson, and his low shot finds the corner of the net for the equaliser.

 

The second half is one of total dominance for the roused visitors. Within ten minutes the tie is as good as over as Hoganson is given another opportunity from a free kick and finds the top corner this time. Shortly after a corner is played to the edge of the box and Jeff Smith volleys home magnificently.

 

One more goal seals the deal for the Bishops - a penalty area shambles featuring a mishit shot, pinball defending and Andre Bennett has three bites of the cherry before smashing the ball home for a 4-1 victory for Bishop Auckland. Little Wembley’s Wembley dream over for another year….. J

Ammies Deadly Duo Prove Dab Hands...

And so to Moor Lane, and some more of that FA Cup magic. Today, Salford City - who progress with a thrilling 6-4 extra time replay win over the Bears of Congleton Town - against Nantwich Town.

NantwichTown was formed in 1884 and became a founder member of the North West Counties Football League in 1982. Having won the FA Vase in 2006, the following season brought promotion and a move to their new Weaver Stadium at Kingsley Fields in the town. Their inaugural season there brought another promotion to the current level, Evostik Premier, one step above Salford. Nicknamed 'The Dabbers' but no one is too sure why - the best guess being after the wattle and daub buildings in Nantwich, with daubers being corrupted to dabbers.

Past the AJ Bell, indoor skydiving (and how does that work, exactly?) and invisible workmen on the Smart Motorway it's an exit at Prestwich. Onto the A56, passing the renowned Railway and Naturalist pub and then St Marys Flower Park before reaching Kersal and Moor Lane.

Inside the ground it's a steep descent down the stairs to the pitch - indeed a cluster of people choose to spectate from the high vantage point by the turnstiles. Philip, Gary and Neville Neville are in attendance today, which explains the 3 TV gantries around the ground as filming of the Class of 92 takeover of the Ammies continues.

The ground is set in a residential estate but heavily screened by trees. Behind the near goal is a large grassed area, with several young children playing football and others bouncing on the giant inflatable giraffe - oh the magic of the cup !!
Next to a burger van, the main concrete stand is sat well back from the pitch; there is a small area of seats in one corner, but the rest is red and white concrete tiers - reminiscent of lower league European teams, but with a roof ! By the corner is a bar, refreshment area, shop and changing rooms - we are warned that since it is the cup, alcohol can only be drunk in the bar (definitely not magic !). The other entrance, appropriately on Nevile Road, is tucked in too.

At the top end is car parking including a cherry picker, behind which is a school, but the view is dominated by the church rising magnificently above the treetops. There's a wry smile or two at the BMW that has sunk into the turf..... Opposite the main stand is a small covered terrace displaying SCFC 1940 2014, steep grass banking and discarded advertising hoardings. The terrace is quickly monopolised by 20 or so singing Dabbers fans and their drummer, with SCFC covered by a 'Where there's Frank there's hope' flag....

Nantwich are in green shirts, proudly displaying 130 years of football, black shorts and red and black hooped socks. Salford in red and white start hesitantly, almost nervously, whilst the Dabbers display more confidence, but there are too many misplaced passes.

A ball breaks loose and Salford's Nicky Platt (no longer in Coronation Street !) has the first real chance but it hits the legs of Nantwich keeper, Aaron Ashley. For the Dabbers, Aaron Burns' header is tipped away by Jay Lynch and then Max Harrop hits the crossbar with a free kick. Ammies' Sam Madeley's powderpuff shot, when played in by Gareth Seddon, trickles through to the keeper.

At half time the Nantwich choir belt out 'Shoes off if you're wunderbar', with their trainers duly removed, and then both sides are kept waiting for a good few minutes before the officials arrive for the second half - prompting a rendition of 'It's nice to know you're here' from the Salford faithful.....

The second period is nip and tuck, with Nantwich just shading it, before the match changes in the final quarter. Salford take the game by the scruff of the neck, Seddon is denied twice and Danny Webber refused a clear penalty. Then with a quarter of an hour to go, Seddon gets free at a corner and nods home unchallenged.

The Dabbers, who have lost their shape, rally but their best effort, sub Vinny Mukendi's shot is straight down Lynch's throat. In injury time Salford break and Webber, instead of squaring, toys with the Nantwich defence before slamming in an unstoppable shot - pure class !

2-0 at the end and, on paper, a shock - but probably not too much of a surprise ☺