Lions Roar In Valley Of Death - Knowsley Black & Blue Again...

And so to Valley Road in Flixton for a North West Counties Division One North fixture between Flixton FC and AFC Knowsley. This on a chilly, squally, blustery day with two weak rainbows appearing in the distance.

The home team was established in 1960, playing at Urmston Meadows in the South Manchester and Wythenshawe League. The Lions applied to join the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League in 1964 as Flixton Villa FC, and were accepted on condition of removal of the Villa suffix.

The club then moved to the Manchester League in 1973 and the NWCFL in 1986. The new ground at Valley Road was opened in 1995 by Sir Alex Ferguson and Flixton ascended to the Northern Premier League a year later as champions and FA Vase semi finalists, beaten by eventual winners Brigg Town.

The Lions were relegated back to the NWCFL in 2000 and the club was dissolved in 2012.

The new phoenix club was established in February 2025, after significant investment and ground refurbishment, playing in friendlies and local Cup competitions last season. Flixton FC was accepted into the NWCFL Division One North for the 2026/27 campaign, and are currently 4th with 24 points from 12 matches.

    

The Blues & Blacks were formed in 1987 as Knowsley South FC playing in the Warrington & District League. South moved to the Cheshire League in 2019 and changed name to AFC Knowsley in 2021, joining the West Cheshire League in 2024. 

4th last time, Knowsley achieved promotion to the NWCFL in the close season. They currently sit 18th, of 22, with eleven points from twelve games.

Numberplates today are 6TH and P2 and we pass Chic and Caffeine, Hung Dragon and Spoilt Rotten. Then Carrington and into Flixton where we see That Tiny Bike Shop, The Furry Godmother and Feng Sheng.

That brings us to Woodsend Circle and Valley Road. £7 in, £4 for concessions and nothing for open gaters...a very tidy crowd of 388 is in attendance.

In the ground two sides are residentially bounded - one supporting the changing rooms and dugouts, the other the car park. At the top end is waste land and massive electricity pylons.

The popular side, behind which is the Manchester Ship Canal, is where it's all at. There is the covered Professor Tom Cannon Stand, all seater, next to which is the Match Day Hatch and The Lions Den bar and clubhouse. In the far corner is an electronic scoreboard, functioning extremely well.

The Lions are in dark blue and white stripes, with no shirt sponsor. The Blues & Blacks are in change orange and black, sponsored by Montirex.

Knowsley have the first attempt on 8 minutes with Liam Bott's flying header straight at Lions' keeper Joshua Ollerenshaw. That soon changes as Lewis-Simon Byrne has a shot blocked, then on 13 is played in, dummies Gabriel Gray in the away goal, and a trailing defender, and scores into the roof of the net; Flixton lead 1-0.

Thereafter it's all Lions: Aaron Dwyer has two opportunities, a shot diverted and then from the resulting corner well saved. He hits the post with his next chance on 32.

But the second goal isn't long in coming. Four minutes later Kieron Molloy's hanging cross is met rather uncertainly and the ball nestles in the corner of the net. Probably an own goal but Dwyer claims the credit... 2-0 to Flixton at the break.

Straight after half time Byrne has a fine shot well saved. Then on 54 Dwyer has oceans of space, turns and strikes home via a deflection to make it 3-0.

Just before the hour Gray produces a dreadful clearance but atones with a super save from Byrne. Then on 65 some rare Blues & Blacks attacking action, with captain Stephen Brown stabbing wide from a corner.

Byrne badly sidefoots wide for Flixton but on 68 Brown is adjudged to have committed handball in the box. Dwyer converts the penalty and the Lions lead 4-0.

Substitute Uche Chinohso Eze hits the post for Flixton and Jordan Butterworth and Milan Lalkovic go close. Then a monstrous goalmouth scramble with 5 to play, and Byrne hits the post in injury time - 4-0 to the Lions at the death and all too easy...

Good Monners Excel - Crewe Cut Down To Size...

And so to the Excel at Crewe FC Sports Pavilion on West Street in Crewe for a North West Counties Division One South game between Crewe FC and Allscott Heath FC.

Crewe FC was founded in 1998 joining the Mid Cheshire League - now the Cheshire League. The team previously played at The Cumberland Arena and moved to The Excel Building Sports Pavilion at the King George V Playing Fields earlier this year.

The club reached the Premier Division in 2014. 5th last season saw elevation to NWCFL 1 South in the close season, where they currently lie 16th, of 20, with 9 points from 8 matches.

Allscott Heath are known as The Monners (somebody who has lived their entire life in the same town or suburb). They are based at The Peter Ford Stadium on Shawbirch Road.

The club was formed as Atlas FC in 2010, changing name to Allscott in 2011, then to Allscott Heath FC in 2019. 

After a spell in the Mercian League, Heath joined the West Midlands (Regional) League in 2016, succeeding as champions in 2023 and rising to Midland League Division 1. Runners up the following year but missing out as play off losers, Allscott moved laterally to the NWCFL Division One South for the 2024/25 campaign. 

The Monners finished 15th in their first NWCFL season and 13th last term. Heath currently sit 11th with 11 points from 10 games

Numberplates today are PH16BOG - another Peter Higson vehicle - and MU51CKZ. We pass a shop 'Glam & Glow by Fatimah' but the website on the shop front is ggbyfatmiah.co.uk ; we also see Scrantastic, Baltic Paradise and Ci Ci Fleur.

A glorious sunny day takes us to the A556 and a shuttered Windmill at Tabley. Then the Smoker at Plumley - Heritage Works and hence scaffolding - alongside Bax Bees Honey Farm.

Thereafter the Weavers Whistle and Lion House in Middlewich, after Seddon Street, home of Middlewich Town FC. Through Wimboldsley with Old Hough Coarse Fishery and then the Verdin Arms and Walley's Green 🙄

That takes us to the Coach & Horses at Bradfield Green and then Wetherspoons' Marshfield Bank Farm House on the outskirts of Crewe. And a hot air balloon in the distance... as we arrive at The Excel.

£5 in at Nipper's and a crowd of 66, including several Allscott fans. It's a basic ground with entrance via the Sports Hub and only two sides in operation; the near end has two small covered terraces with seats to come...

The popular side has a walkway with several benches but there is no stand yet. Two sides are unnavigable and aside from the Hub, bar and car park, the pitch is bounded by the King George V Playing Fields.

Crewe are in blue with black shade, sponsored by Excelvent. The Monners are in all green, sponsored by The Kitchen Depot.

Five minutes in Heath take the lead. Crewe keeper Martin Blain drops a long throw in and Ben Summers scores from on the goal line.

Fifty seconds later we're all square. Zachary Billinge's cross is swept home by Kyle Vickers beyond Harry Dabbs.

George Cross misses badly for Allscott on 14 - a one on one sees him scoop the ball into Blain's arms with a very poor chip. But the Monners regain the lead at the midpoint thanks to a sublime free kick into the top corner by Carl Rogers.

Heath continue to fashion chances with Ben Davies wasting an opportunity after dispossessing the last defender, then having a shot saved at point blank range. For Crewe, Sean Cooke hits the post a minute before the break.

Still time for Edan Sears to hit a worldie from 30 yards in the third minute of stoppage time. Allscott lead 3-1 at half way.

In the second period Crewe's Joshua Maris has a long distance pop just wide early on. But the Monners continue to threaten and Juliano Da Silva clears off the line on 69.

Then Crewe are unfortunate twice: with a quarter of an hour to go sub Samuel Newman has his 'goal' disallowed for a push. Then two minutes on Sears is penalised for handball, but Dabbs saves the resultant penalty from Maris.

Matters are wrapped up with a minute left. Heath sub Jack Davies is played in and scores emphatically in the bottom corner as Allscott finish 4-1 winners.

Social Distancing Is An Own Goal - Painful For Meadow Men....

And so to the Red Lion Ground at Brereton Sports & Social Club, in Brereton near Rugeley, for a North West Counties Division One South match between Brereton Social FC and AFC Bridgnorth.

Brereton Social FC was formed in 1899 and had three separate spells in West Midlands (Regional) League starting in 1968. Social was promoted to the Premier Division in 1971.

The club resigned three months into the 1987/88 season and entered the Staffordshire League in 1992. Brereton rejoined the West Midlands in 1995 before folding in 1999.

Reformed a year later Social went back to the West Midlands then moved to the Midland Combination in 2006, ultimately ending in resignation in August 2010. Following a brief hiatus Brereton rejoined the Staffordshire League and was promoted to North West Counties Division One South as champions last time. They are currently 16th, of 20, with 8 points from 7 matches.

Bridgnorth Town existed in the 19th century playing in the Shropshire & District League in 1899. A new club was formed in 1938 joining the Worcestershire Combination for one season only. 

The team was refounded again in 1968 and the Meadow Men won the Midland Combination in 1980 and again in 1983. Town was promoted to the Southern League Midland in 1983 but folded due to financial problems in 2013. 

A fourth iteration in the form of new club AFC Bridgnorth was established in the same year and the club badge depicts the iconic Town Hall. West Midlands Division One champions in their first season, moving to the Premier, then on to the Midland League in 2021 - finishing 10th last time and laterally moving to the NWCFL One South this season. The Meadow Men sit top at the minute: 6 wins and a draw from 7 games.

Today's numberplates are PH16LAV and PH16TUB - both Peter Higson vehicles. At the Manor 'Beer is Cheaper Than Petrol - So Drink & Don't Drive' and there's a return BJS Removal Van emblazoned with 'Taking Our Time in Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwlllantysiliogogogoch' 🤔

To the M6, and signs for Halloween Spooktacular and Wurkflow.ai, as rain gives way to sunny spells and a strong breeze. Then the A34, with Blue Iris Landscapes and into Trentham.

That's followed by Flip Out Trampoline Centre, Amerton Railway and Aston Marina. Rustique Living at Sandon and Burston then the Dog & Doublet, Hixon Airfield and Ed Weetman at Pasturefields.

The A51 sees travellers and horses tethered by the roadside plus a Solophina GSDs van - German Shepherd Dogs. Then we hit Wolseley Bridge and Rugeley with its Miners' Memorial and The Plaza - the town's Wetherspoons offering.

Bypassing Brereton Town FC, member of the Cannock Chase Football League, we come to the Red Lion. £6 to get in and a decent crowd of 204.

Inside is a lovely ground with the clubhouse and main stand down the popular side. Up top is a steep banking side with bar tables and benches at the summit, with Brereton Hill behind.

Opposite the main stand is a walkway and the team dugouts, this part one of three tree lined sides. The far end, technically out of bounds, hosts Hob Hill. 

Advertising hoardings for The Plough & Harrow, Midland Mastics and Fuze are on display. Social are in red and white stripes, sponsored by MD Roofing and the Meadow Men are in blue with white trim, sponsored by Corporate Togs. We also have two tubby linesmen and an ineffective referee....

There are early chances for Nehemia Zazi for Bridgnorth and Kieran Cliff for Brereton, which brings a sprawling save from Craig Pain. Social's Jake Cartwright puts his shot beyond the Meadow Men's goal and Mitchell Evans has a fizzer off target for the away side on 20 minutes.

But the deadlock is broken six minutes later. A deep Brereton free kick is inadvertently flicked on by Bridgnorth centre back David Anani for an own goal, into the top corner past Pain.

Thereafter it's all Meadow Men: De Quarnai Williams has a powerful run on 31 but shoots wide and Trayvon Powell is wasteful after 40 minutes. Suar Dedja finds the side netting a minute before half time but Brereton lead 1-0 at the break.

The second half disappoints as the league leaders don't have the quality to break down a resolute Social defence - Rhys Williams is barely troubled in the home goal. Bridgnorth also fail to take advantage of Blake Ainger's sinbinning just before the hour.

Indeed Brereton have the best chance on 70 minutes, Samuel Mellor smashing over. Thereafter we see a destroyed boot, a handbags altercation and an injury time chance for DQ Williams, comfortably saved by his namesake, as Social beat the Meadow Men 1-0.

Apollo Blasts Off - Ful Three Points Secured...

And so not to Volair on Baileys Lane in Halewood for a North West Counties Division One North match between Halewood Apollo FC and Fulwood Amateurs AFC - the match moved to the Auto Safety Centre Stadium, aka Valerie Park, home of Prescot Cables FC, The Pesky Bulls, also the Tigers, referencing  nearby Knowsley Safari Park 🤔 The stadium is imminently to be condemned...more anon... This because Volair, Apollo's 'ground', does not meet NWCFL criteria... and nowhere near - there's a single communal astroturf pitch as part of the leisure complex, necessitating the ground share.

Halewood Apollo was founded in 2014 by Joey Stocks, joining the Warrington & District League. Apollo moved to the Liverpool County Premier League in 2020.

Crowned as champions in 2024, the club placed 5th last time, allowing Halewood to scrape in to the NWCFL 1 North in the close season. Apollo currently stand 6th with 16 points from 9 matches.

Fulwood Amateurs AFC was established in 1924, originally playing on a field by the Black Bull pub, then relocating to Watling Street. Beginning with local football the club joined the Lancashire Amateur League in 1928, moving to a ground rented off Dick Kerrs and winning the double in 1937/38. The Ammies purchased land in Grimsargh in 1955 but this was earmarked for compulsory purchase in 1974, and eventually Fulwood settled at Lightfoot Lane in 1979 and won the LAL in 1987.

They moved to the West Lancashire League Division 2 in 1993 and immediately saw promotion as runners up. Amateurs were champions the following year and again in the rechristened Premier League in 1999.

Relegated in 2014 Fulwood bounced back, winning Division One the following season and were crowned as Premier League champions in 2019. Three consecutive 4th place finishes was enough to see the Ammies elevated to the North West Counties Division One North last season, finishing 12th of 18. This time Fulwood are again 12th, but now of 22, with 13 points from 9 games.

We set off in sunny spells but it becomes increasingly cloudier- fortunately the rain holds off until after the game. Numberplates today are K1NKC and UPL1T. 

We pass the three in one - formerly the George and Dragon, now Alty Hotel, the Whitechapel and soon to be the Grand Holdi. Then La Boheme and The Green Dragon in Lymm and on to Statham Lodge.

There's the pink eye in Warrington, Fiddler's Ferry and The Eight Towers before we briefly visit Volair. Then we hit the M57, off at Prescot and past the Clock Face pub to Valerie Park, hidden in a rabbit warren of cul de sacs.

It's £5 in and a thin crowd of 88. Inside is the Cables Bar and the main stand 'nearing the end of its lifetime' - and unsurprisingly closed....

The near end houses a covered terrace, with the top end comprising a walkway and barrier with 1884 signs, referencing Prescot Cables inception. Across from the stand is a narrow walkway, an out of bounds banking side and terraced houses.

Apollo are in dark blue, sponsored by Apollo Leisure, and Fulwood in change yellow, sponsored by Sante Group. Halewood completely dominate the first period, with captain Jordan Barrow dominant in defence and Steven Irwin pulling all the strings in midfield.

On 9 minutes Charlie Glennon is played through, with a hint of offside, and scores past Jacob Barry. The lead is doubled on 20 as Sean Miller takes advantage of a lucky ricochet to fire in at Barry's near post.

That becomes 3-0 on the stroke of half time: a beautiful curling strike from the edge of the box by William McCarthy. From the Ammies, well nothing....

The second half is more even with Fulwood's Spencer Lucas forcing a good double save from Apollo keeper Denny McGee ten minutes in. At the other end Barry makes a fine low save from Halewood substitute Stephen Doyle.

On 72 minutes Lucas receives the ball and charges through, comfortably outpacing the Apollo defenders. McGee gets fingertips to his shot but the ball squirms beyond him into the net: 3-1.

Any hopes of a full Ammies' fightback are banished on 82 as James Bell's effort clears the bar. And the last action of note is Miller's volleyed screamer which just fails to hit the target for Halewood, who emerge victorious 3-1 😊