Danns the Man - Levelling Up Comes With Penalties....

And so to November and the Moss Rose and a NWCFL Premier Division match between Macclesfield FC and Runcorn Town.

Macclesfield FC was founded on 13 October 2020 by local businessman Robert Smethurst as a phoenix club of the former Macclesfield Town FC, which was wound up on 16 September 2020.

The new club began their first competitive match in the North West Counties Football League in August 2021, with local legend Danny Whitaker appointed as manager and Robbie Savage taking up a Director of Football role. The Silkmen currently top the table with 39 points (12 wins and 3 draws) from 17 games. Coincidentally (or not !) BBC screened 'Making Macclesfield FC' last night, Bonfire Night, as the phoenix club rose from the ashes (and being shown on BBC1 on 13 November 2021).

The original Macclesfield FC was formed in 1874, playing at Moss Rose from 1891. Initially winning the Manchester League twice Macc became an inaugural member of the Cheshire County League at the start of the 1919/20 season, ultimately winning the league six times.

Renamed Macclesfield Town FC in 1946, the club was a founder member of the Northern Premier League in 1968, winning the league in its first two campaigns, as well as the FA Trophy in 1970, defeating Telford United 2-0 at Wembley. Macc were promoted to the Conference after winning their third Northern Premier League title in 1987.

Under manager Sammy McIlroy the Silkmen were champions of the Conference in 1993/94, but were not promoted as Moss Rose did not meet Football League criteria. A second FA Trophy success followed in 1996 with a 3-1 final victory over Northwich Victoria.

A second Conference title in 1996/97 saw promotion to the Football League, and second place in their first season elevated Macc to the old Second Division (now League One). Immediately relegated the Silkmen retained fourth tier status from 1999 to 2012 before being relegated to the Conference. Against all odds John Askey led the Silkmen back into the Football League as National League champions in 2017/18.

However amidst ongoing financial issues, with players regularly not being paid, a points deduction was activated on 11 August 2020. This meant Macc Town was relegated back to non league, the National League, and shortly after expelled.

The away team was established in 1967 as a founder member of the Runcorn Sunday League under the name of CKD, a works team from the 'D' Section at the local Castner Kellner plant. The club changed its name to Mond FC in 1970, representing the Mond Division of ICI which ran the Castner Kellner works.

In 1973 there was a move to Saturday football in the form of Division 5 of the Warrington & District League. At the end of their first season Mond amalgamated with struggling Division 1 side ICI Weston, becoming Mond Rangers FC and 'securing' a four division promotion.

1984 saw a move to the West Cheshire League and there was another change to the club's name in 2005/06 - this time to Runcorn Town FC. After winning Division 2 a year later 'Town' was elevated to the North West Counties at the start of the 2010/11 campaign following a third place finish.

Promotion to the Premier League was achieved at the first attempt, and Town finished runners up in their first season at the higher level. However after 4th and 5th place finishes there followed two disappointing seasons and 2016/17 began with a new manager and squad, with not one player being retained. Thereafter Town finished third twice, the 2017/18 season beginning with 11 straight victories. Seventh in 2019, then two abandoned Covid ventures and Town now sit 19th (of 21) with 15 points from 18 games this time.

A short jaunt to Navigation Road past Healthy Mutts Premium Treats then the Stubborn Mule Brewery at Radium Works, and the first numberplate for today - 1ORD, subsequently followed by W3NDY and Y3 O YE and then Vanoffee - a mobile coffee van. Onto the train, alongside a girl sporting that many tattoos it's practically a gallery, and then via Skelton Junction it's past the grounds of Wythenshawe Town, Wythenshawe Amateurs, Cheadle Heath Nomads and Stockport County.

A change then the stopper to Macclesfield, with the signal box at Cheadle Hulme sponsored by MyHo Inspired Coworking. Then at Poynton a railway wagon transformed into a flowerbox with signage Poynton Collieries Lord Vernon.

That brings us to Macclesfield and the iconic Arighi Bianchi store; eschewing the Old Millstone and The Treacle Tap we head for the A523 Leek Road. Appropriately the rain starts as we come across 2 chippies side by side, Phil Morton Sewing Machines shop, Swindells Fireplaces and fingerposts to Sutton Langley and Wincle.

Then the Moss Rose, aka leasing.com stadium, and the ticket office where the gentleman ahead of us is returning an unused ticket - we gratefully take advantage (it has been paid forward !) so admission is halved to £5. We are directed beyond a rainswept open terrace and the artificial pitch to bar twenty seven, opened specially today for all spectators, and pre match entertainment is the Manchester derby and a pint of Camden Hells.

The bar stands above a new all seater covered stand spanning the whole of the touchline, opposite the old main stand - which only borders the half way line. Minimal terracing and 2 of the 3 exterior catering outlets make up the rest of that side, and behind is the Leek Road, countryside and hills. In front plenty of advertising hoardings, the most notable being Savages Mussels and Explore Macedonia, and to my right a packed covered terrace with flags featuring 'SK11 Silks On Tour' and 'Why Does A Love Kiss Stay In My Memory' (the Buddy Holly reference is lost on me - sorry !)

Macc are in blue and white, Runcorn in change pink and black, with The Last Post respectfully honoured by a huge crowd of 3,420. An early chance sees Town's keeper Adam Reid fumble a straightforward shot but Aaron Dwyer's shot from a tight angle is just beyond the far post.

Thereafter Macc's veteran Neil Danns has two decent opportunities and Max Bardsley-Rowe passes up a good effort; at the opposite end Runcorn captain Richie Foulkes has their best attempt deflected away. The half, characterised by the Silkmen's lack of ambition (frequently two attackers surrounded by six defenders), ends goallless with a smart stop by Reid from Keilan Adams.

The second period begins messily, frustratingly and soporifically - after one dreadful offside decision, a Macc touch to a Runcorn forward, my neighbour exclaims 'No one knows what the hell they are doing !' In fact the only constant is the weather as the rain comes sheeting down, obliterating the hills and communication tower.

Then, in keeping with the game, a wayward Silkmen cross beyond the goal is nodded back and Danns heads home to give Macc the lead on 59 minutes. The expectation now is the floodgates will open and the Silkmen will ease home, but Danns skies their next chance before Luis Morrison-Derbyshire hits the side netting eight minutes on.

From the goal kick the ball is inadvertently flicked on by a Macc defender, and, amidst screams for offside, Craig Cairns nonchalantly chips Liam Lovell to equalise. A stunned crowd then sees Lovell superbly save a Tony Davies' header from a corner two minutes later.

With ten minutes to go Runcorn win a corner and the delivery sees a hand raised and deflecting the ball - impossible to see who or which side is the offendant, but from the players' body language it seems to be a Runcorn arm. The referee deems otherwise and awards a penalty, which Foulkes scores to leave Runcorn 2-1 up.

Amidst widespread anger and disgust the Silkmen fail to weave any magic, and with Runcorn using tactical injuries and time wasting, the crowd starts to drift away before the 90 (and six minutes of stoppage time) are up. Then two of my predictions come true - the referee will use any opportunity to level things up and the early leavers will miss a final goal. But even I could not predict that the lashing rain would cease with five minutes left.....

And so it proves - 95 minutes and sub Scott McGowan overruns the ball in the penalty box and is 'felled' for another dubious penalty. Danns scores with aplomb and it finishes 2-2.

Ten Out Of Ten For Town As Congleton Can't Bear It...

And so to Pavilions, the home of Runcorn Town FC and today's North West Counties Football League fixture with Congleton Town FC, themselves from Ivy Gardens (or Booth Street if we're being picky, but it doesn't have the same ring to it ! ) or Richborough Estates Stadium (definitely not !!).

The home side was established in 1967 (celebrating its 50th season in football this term) as founder members of the Runcorn Sunday League under the name of CKD, a works team from 'D' section at the local Castner Kellner plant. The club changed its name to Mond FC in 1970, reflecting the Mond Division of ICI which ran the Castner Kellner plant.

 

In 1973 there was a move to Saturday football with Mond joining Division 5 of the Warrington & District League. At the end of their first season the club amalgamated with struggling Division 1 side ICI Weston, becoming Mond Rangers FC and 'earning' a four division promotion.

 

1984 saw a move to the West Cheshire League and there was another change to the club's name before the 2005/06 campaign - this time to Runcorn Town FC. After winning Division 2 a year later, 'Town' were elevated to the North West Counties at the start of the 2010/11 season following a third place finish.

 

Promotion to the Premier League was achieved at the first attempt, and Town were runners up in their first season at the higher level. However, after 4th and 5th place finishes there followed two disappointing 13th positions and 2016/17 saw a new manager and a brand new squad, with not one player being retained. Last time Town finished third, and the new season has seen nine straight league wins as, perhaps unexpectedly, Runcorn sit top with a 100% record.

Congleton Town 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 were finally relegated back to the top tier of the NCWFL in 2001 - and continue to ply their football there.

 

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....

So on a wet autumnal afternoon it's beyond the as yet unopened Mayar Travel and Mama's Cakeria, under the same roof (!), past Cloudchasers and you have to feel sorry for the wedding party having photographs taken outside St George's Church in the teeming rain. Down to the M56 in atrocious conditions, yet still with motorists refusing to switch on their lights, bypassing the Stretton Fox and Daresbury Park, and off at Sutton Weaver.

 

Onto the Expressway, with huge amounts of roadworks, coned off lanes and confusing signage, then into Weston, The Prospect pub, and atop Weston Point for a view of the River Mersey and gargantuan wind turbines. A sharp left into Sandy Lane and Pavilions is on the right.

 

Pavilions itself is 'the number one venue in Runcorn to hold your function' - it looks a bit tired and faded to me and in need of a refresh. A bowling green hides behind it, and on the puddled walkway to the entrance hut there is a decrepit football pitch on the left, complete with crumbling stand and dugouts - the old Runcorn Albion FC base.

 

The first thing you see inside, unlike most grounds, is not the pitch but a set of wooden steps with yellow handrails - the pitch is about two metres above ground level. A three sided ground again with the far end cordoned off, and marshalled by an elderly steward/ ball boy. The near end has a walkway about a metre deep which makes things cosy....

 

On the right hand side is the bar and lounge and then a partly built/ abandoned covered standing area, and behind it the roar of the Expressway. The main side hosts an assortment of ragtag lean tos, with a 'Here's The Tea Hut' sign at one end - it's boarded up and there is a newer sign on the opposite side above the bar.

 

Next is the main stand, the seats strangely red for a club whose colours are two shades of blue. The backdrop is the massive Inovyn Chlorvinyls plant. The ground is also directly underneath the flight path to Liverpool Airport so a succession of planes from Easyjet and Ryanair, those not cancelled anyway, pass over during the match. Also above are the electric cables connecting pylons either side of the Expressway.

The pitch has taken a lot of rain, with parts beginning to waterlog and plenty of mud in evidence. Town are in sky and navy blue, Congleton in change yellow and black hoops and resembling wasps rather than bears.

 

Within four minutes the Bears' offside trap is breached, Runcorn's Simon Thelwell sallies past keeper Andrew Jones, and lays the ball on for Craig Cairns - who is guilty of an astonishing miss. Five minutes later, with their first attack, the Bears score - Josh Heaton heading in, unchallenged from a corner.

 

On 16 minutes the Bears double their lead as William Hasler-Cregg, under pressure from a defender, hits a sublime twenty yarder that dips into the net via the underside of the bar. Town keeper Reece Airey is left clutching at, well er, air... Not quite the start we expected !

 

Runcorn respond immediately and Mark Reed hits home a piledriver within two minutes and by the quarter mark the sides are level. Cairns sprints on to a route one ball, sidesteps Jones and strokes home the equaliser. Ten minutes before the break Runcorn lead as Thelwell, having seen a shot smuggled off the line, beats Jones at his near post, and, with both defences looking porous, it's raining goals as the deluge continues.

 

More of the same in the second period as three minutes in Cairns crosses for Kieran Evans to make it 4-2. Five minutes later Cairns' audacious lob with the outside of his boot hits the bar, and a minute after he dinks the ball over Jones only to see the ball cleared off the line. On 56 minutes Cairns cleverly plays in Reed who puts Runcorn 5-2 up.

 

And then the rain stops...and so do the goals, but not for the want of trying. Cairns is again denied as another lob crashes against the bar, and Jones then produces a magnificent fingertip save to prevent him from scoring Town's sixth.

The Bears hit the woodwork twice, Airey goes down with two head injuries in two minutes amidst calls for a crash helmet, and Adams sees his shot deflected wide by a desperate goal line clearance. 5-2 at the death but it should have been 11-4 - thoroughly entertaining nonetheless as Runcorn continue their 100% start to the league season ☺