C & G Too Strong For Titans......

And so to Manor Farm on Ridgeway Road in Timperley for a Lancashire and Cheshire League Division A clash between Cheadle & Gatley FC and AFC Stockport Titans.

Cheadle & Gatley JFC joined the Lancashire and Cheshire League this season after being crowned as Cheshire FA Club of The Year in 2024. 

The club was formed in 1977 for junior footballers and the new Saturday team has commenced their first season in the LACL with a 7-2 home victory over Silver Birch.

 

AFC Stockport Titans are from Whitehill Playing Fields, aka South Reddish Park; the club was established in 2024. 

This is their first season in the Lancashire and Cheshire League Division A, having finished fourth in Division B last term which earned promotion from their inaugural campaign. 

They have started this time with a narrow 1-0 home loss to Newton Vikings and then a 2-2 home draw with Prestwich Marauders. 

Numberplates accrued today are SHO3S, F14RES and ADD2. It's past Optimum Chiropractic, Wok Inn, Barberian, Marvel Guitars, the Moss Trooper and the long since shuttered Hare and Hounds. 

Then The Curtain Doctor and Ink Today Gone Tomorrow before we reach Manor Farm. 

Manor Farm comprises three open sides backing on to two more football pitches and at least five rugby fields, then farming land, trees and residential homes. 

The one populated side hosts the changing rooms, Alfie's Island Cafe, Alt T and Bark Park Central.

Cheadle and Gatley are in blue with yellow and white trim sponsored by Euan Kellie Property Solutions. Meanwhile the Titans, with a female coach, are in red with black trim, sponsored by marketplaceeurope.

It's a breezy but fortunately dry afternoon with sunny spells before a crowd of 14. The game opens with Cheadle missing a succession of chances and several blocks on the line.

Finally on 17 minutes Dan Forrester is put through and reckless goalkeeping, charging out and getting nowhere near the ball - not for the first time - sees the centre forward round the Titans' custodian to make it 1-0. It only lasts for four minutes however as a hopeful ball catches on the wind allowing Stockport's David Parker to equalise.

On 24 minutes Titans' Liam James has an astonishing run which produces an even more tremendous save from Cheadle's keeper. But home superiority is restored on 33 with an initial shot saved and the rebound tucked away by Ben Preece; 2-1 at the break.

The second period starts with a dubious penalty for C & G - the first of a series of questionable refereeing decisions. It results in the game's only booking for Stockport's Kye Pollitt; Forrester comfortably rolls the ball home for 3-1.

A more blatant spot kick is not awarded shortly after... However Forrester outmuscles his defender on 52 and converts for his hat trick to make it 4-1 to Cheadle.

That deficit is reduced to 4-2 on 69 minutes by Parker, looking suspiciously offside. Then a Titans' moan that 'he's taking that throw from a different postcode' 😉

Three minutes on a powerful run and cut back is converted by the sliding Jack Payne, thrashing home for 5-2. The introduction of a clearly injured and limping Alex Chapman with ten minutes to go distracts the Stockport rearguard, producing horrible goalkeeping, as Luca Tarrant scores from the awaited corner, and we're at 6-2.

Thirty seconds later a Titans' breakaway makes it 6-3 via Dan Mellor. Then on 84 minutes sub Harvey Marsh flicks in a corner to reduce the arrears to 6-4... but that's how it stays 😃

Lairds Of The Manor - Camels Give Cassies The Hump.....

And so to the Brinsford Stadium on Brinsford Lane in Coven Heath, near Wolverhampton, for a North West Counties Division One South match between Wolverhampton Casuals FC and Cammell Laird 1907 F.C.

Wolverhampton Casuals FC was established in 1899 as Wolverhampton Old Church FC, becoming Wolverhampton Amateurs before World War One. The club changed name again to Staffordshire Casuals, as part of a merger with Old Wulfrunians after World War Two.

The retitled Wolverhampton Casuals joined Division Two of the West Midlands (Regional) League in 1982. The Cassies were promoted to Division One in 1984 and then to the Premier Division in 1988.

However the Casuals were demoted in 1991, but won the Division One title in 1994/95 to go back up to top tier status. The club had to relocate to the Aldersley Stadium due to a lack of floodlights at Brinsford Stadium, but this was rectified in 1998 and Wolves moved back.

Based on their performances in the Covid seasons the Cassies were placed in the Premier Division of the Midland League in 2022. But relegation last term, in bottom place, means they start this season in North West Counties Division One South, after a failed appeal to stay in the Capelli Sport Midland Football League. Four points from five games leaves the Casuals in 13th (of 19).

Cammell Laird's, 'The Camels', history dates back to 1899 when a team from the Upper Boilers shop at Laird Bros played in Birkenhead Park, before switching to rugby. Cammell Laird Institute AFC was established in 1907, playing in the West Cheshire League at Prenton Park in Tranmere.

After World War I the Cammell Laird company faced cutbacks due to reduced government spending on ships and the football team was taken back in house. In 1922 a team was entered into the Birkenhead & Wirral League under the name of Kirklands FC coinciding with the move to their current ground at St Peter's Road, now rebranded as The OWS Engineering Ltd Stadium in Rock Ferry, from two previous homes - Birkenhead Park and Bebington Oval.

The side was disbanded at the outbreak of World War II and reformed in 1946 as Cammell Laird AFC. The Lairds rejoined the Birkenhead & Wirral League before moving up to the West Cheshire League, where they were 19 time champions, including 15 titles in 20 seasons between 1975 and 1994.

The Shipyarders joined the North West Counties in 2004 and back to back promotions took them to the Northern Premier League Division One North. A sideways move to Division One South a season later brought promotion to the Premier Division as runners up, but the Camels were relegated at the end of their first campaign after failing ground grading criteria.

The club disbanded at the end of the 2013/14 season, and a new club, Cammell Laird 1907 F.C. went into the North West Counties Division One, earning automatic promotion at the first attempt. However the 2017 season produced only three league wins, all after relegation was confirmed, and a bottom placing with a goal difference of -100...... and the Lairds still remain in the bottom rung of the NWCFL - Division One South, consistently finishing below middle, epitomised by last season's 10th place finish (out of 18) after a good start 🤔. This time Laird have an identical record to the Cassies - four points from five matches - but sit 16th by virtue of goal difference. Both sides exited the FA Vase last weekend.

Overrunning roadworks, no surprise there, preface numberplates B16 AXE, 6OYA and N1NYT. I reach Roughley's Monumental Stonemasons before hitting the M6.

Then it's JENGR Bridge graffiti and a raft of advertising billboards - Cloudy2Clear Windows, Nitrous Competitions, BadRhino and Spooktacular Halloween. This amidst a proliferation of England and Union Jack flags plus an ancient vaudeville Crosville coach....

We leave the M6 at junction 12 and join Watling Street. There's Elefant Gratings and Laserkut at Calf Heath before the now sadly shuttered Four Ashes pub.

Then Jurassic Creek, 3 Hammers Golf Complex and a sign for Moseley Old Hall... That brings us to Brinsford Stadium, also home to Brewood Juniors FC (1975).

We pay £6 admission and drive the car into a capacious parking area - no problem today with a crowd of only 45. Beyond the car park lie an abandoned caravan and two forlorn lorry trailers...

The ground itself is tree-lined and thrums from the adjacent A449 and West Coast Main Line. Inside is a warm up pitch and on the near side a burger van, clubhouse, The Cass Bar and trophy cabinet plus a covered 4 row benched stand - much needed in the sheeting rain and stiff wind...

Opposite are the dugouts and in the corner is a small covered standing area. The rest of the 'Stadium' consists of a walkway and inaccessibility...

Cassies are in all green, sponsored by Vogue Ceramics. The Camels are in a horrific psychedelic away strip of grey, yellow and blue, sponsored by CB Accounting.

The match is delayed whilst dog mess is removed from the pitch. Cassies start well and on 9 minutes Owen Hesketh's free kick is tipped onto the bar by Ben Cadman; the resultant corner is headed wide.

Another chance arrives on 18 but Josh Simcox's shot is deflected wide. Then the Shipyarders berth - captain Joe Downey hits the bar on the half hour and Haydn Cooper sees his shot pushed aside by Chad Oseland.

No matter as a Camels' shot on 34 is palmed onto the bar by Oseland and Daniel Stephens mops up to put the Lairds 1-0 up. Half time arrives with the visitors still leading by the only goal.

On 53 minutes Cadman saves with his feet from a rare Wolves' attack, but normal service is resumed as Camels' Ben Wood sidefoots wide. Cassies' Kyri Kourouyianni has his header saved just after the hour.

Then on 69 minutes the game is wrapped up. Joel Whalley scores the second goal for the Shipyarders, curling into the corner, after a sublime dummy by Wood.

The Casuals hit the bar again with a quarter of an hour left, and the Camels respond with sub Thomas Davies clipping the post three minutes later. But ultimately it turns out to be a routine 2-0 away victory which pushes Cammell up to 11th and leaves Wolves 15th 😀

Vase Is More Than Half Ful - Just !! Mechanics Broken Down....

And so to Lightfoot Green, 'The Green', on Lightfoot Lane - a football ground previously masquerading as a golf course, well maybe a driving range, - and next to Preston Grasshoppers RUFC. Today's Isuzu FA Vase clash is between Fulwood Amateurs AFC and AFC Blackpool.

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 has been enough to see the Ammies elevated to the North West Counties Division One North this season. 

After a goalless draw at Steeton and a 4-1 home defeat to Holker Old Boys, Fulwood have turned the corner with away victories at Colne (5-2) and 7-1 at Garstang, which featured a double hat trick, one in each half, from Spencer Lucas - but he's on holiday today....The Ammies are currently 5th of 18.

 

AFC Blackpool, The Mechanics, from Jepson Way, was founded as Blackpool Metal Mechanics in 1947 before changing name to Blackpool Mechanics FC. Walter Jepson, after whom Jepson Way is named, was a founding member and long serving club secretary.

 

The Mechanics started out playing in local Fylde leagues but in 1959 took the decision to move up and join the West Lancashire League. After being crowned champions in 1960/61 and 1961/62 the club moved to the Lancashire Combination, with a best finish of runners up in 1975.

 

With the formation of the North West Counties Football League in 1982 they were placed in Division Three. The Mechanics were promoted as champions to Division Two in 1985/86 and enjoyed a solitary season in Division One in 1991/92.

 

In May 2005 Lytham St Annes FC, having resigned from the West Lancashire League, merged with the Mechanics. Then in May 2008 the club further joined forces with Squires Gate Junior FC, with the club renamed AFC Blackpool. The nickname 'The Mechanics' or 'The Mechs' was retained, and the stadium was renamed, Mechanics Ground, as a nod to the club's heritage. The club badge curiously shows a squawking seagull…..

 

The Mechanics' best ever season saw them promoted as First Division champions in 2010/11 to rise to the Premier Division. After four seasons they were relegated to the First Division having finished bottom. A lateral move to the new Division One North followed in 2018, with a failed play off campaign in 2021/22; The Mechs finished half way last time - 9th of 18, but are bottom this time after three straight defeats.

On a warm, cloudy, humid afternoon it's another motorway bonanza - the M60, M61, M6 and M55. Today's numberplates are H1 ODS, NUG6S and S4LTY with a BJS van 'One Good Deed Leeds To Another'. 

Past the Hands of Buddha and The Vintage Wireless Company takes me to IFly and the Salford Community Stadium, today hosting Scotland v Wales in the Women's Rugby World Cup. Then the M61 and Saturn Commercial Lighting....again 🙄

I'm beyond signs for the Last Drop Village and Martin Mere and then Botany Bay, Euxton Heights and Brockholes. I emerge off the M55 at the Phantom Winger pub and arrive at Lightfoot Lane, adjacent to Preston Grasshoppers RUFC and Hulton House 'Luxury Care Home'....

It's £5 in and a crowd of 87. Inside is a fenced off uncovered seated stand and clubhouse. At the bottom end is the warm up area and then on the far side an open walkway and dugouts. The near end has a covered standing area and the ground is entirely tree lined.... and no longer golfers and distance markers....

We have a very small tubby lineswoman and a heavily tattooed older, slightly taller linesman, but still tubby. In contrast the referee is fit, young and competent.

Fulwood are in all blue, sponsored by Sante Group and AFC Blackpool are in tangerine ('very orange' apparently....) and sponsored by Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone Lancashire. 

The Ammies start the better with Cameron Kilbride shooting straight at Mechs' keeper James Whittingham. But the best chance falls in the first half to AFC Blackpool: Mamadu Touray Touray rounding Fulwood custodian Jacob Barry but seeing his effort blocked.

The Mechanics' centre forward, David Lang, is forced to leave the field with a serious shoulder injury. This is after a stunning save by Whittingham from Kilbride - Sam Higham wastefully shoots over from the resultant corner.

Fulwood are well marshalled by Osawemwengie Imadiyiosatohanmwen (wow 🥺), aka Owen. However a Touray Touray lob is just over as we reach half time goalless.

The second period sees Blackpool's Aaron Smith have a fierce strike slightly off target. 

Then on the hour the deadlock is broken; a wretched back pass from the Mechanics' Samuel Ogundare 

goes out for a needless corner.

That produces a goalmouth scramble and, eventually, James Bell tucks the ball away and the Ammies 

lead 1-0. Fulwood then proceed to pass up several opportunities to put the game to bed.

With nine minutes left Ammies' sub Oliver Rickerby produces an extraordinary solo run, but his shot is 

deflected wide. Two minutes later Fulwood's Barry makes a flying save from Mechs' Anthony Pearson.

The Ams continue to waste chances, with Theo Ball particularly profligate. 

Inevitably Blackpool procure an equaliser in the fourth and final minute of injury time.

A wild challenge by Ammies' Layton Kirnan in the box produces a trip and penalty kick. 

James Hughes scores from the spot and it's 1-1, and seconds later the referee blows for full time.

So to penalties which are much in keeping with the game i.e. underwhelming 😞 

10 spot kicks, 5 scored, 3 saved (one by Barry, two by Whittingham) and 2 missed. 

The final penalty from Mechanics' Shaun Sailor, erm, sails over the bar and the Ammies triumph 3-2 😊