Warrington Not Taken To The Wire By Off Song Linnets !

And so to Victoria Park in Burscough for an early kick off, 1.30pm, due to 'ongoing floodlight issues'. Burscough, 'The Linnets', take on FA Cup giantkillers Warrington Town, appropriately enough on 3rd Round day.

The first Burscough AFC was formed in 1880 but folded in 1900. It was re-established as Burscough Rangers in 1905 and moved to Mart Lane in 1908, before also folding in 1935. The present Burscough club was founded in 1946 and worked its way up the Liverpool Leagues, Lancashire Combination and Cheshire County League before becoming founder members and first champions of the North West Counties Football League in 1982.

In 1998 they were promoted to the Northern Premier League, and in 2003 became the smallest ever club to win the FA Trophy under the management of Sean Teale - his reward was to be sacked 6 weeks later......

In 2007 the Linnets won the Northern Premier and spent two seasons in the Conference North, their highest ever position. Thereafter two relegations and an abortive half season ground share with Skelmersdale United brought them both home and to their current status, Evo Stik Northern Premier Division 1 North.

Their visitors from Cantilever Park, Warrington Town, began life in 1949 as Stockton Heath Albion and were also founder members of the North West Counties in 1982. 'The Wire' or 'The Yellows' started in Division 3 and reached the NWC Premier Division before being promoted to the Northern Premier League Division 1 in 2004 - spending one season in the Southern section, and the rest in the Northern.

However their biggest claim to fame was reaching the FA Cup First Round proper this season for the first time ever - and then beating Exeter City 1-0 in front of the BBC cameras. The Second Round saw a 2-0 defeat at Gateshead and league form has been patchy ever since, as The Wire seek to emulate last season's play off position.

It's a cold, wet, murky morning as I set out past The Barmy Sarnie and into filthy driving conditions on the M6 across Thelwall Viaduct - teeming rain, spray and mist and, yes, imbeciles with no lights on.....

Ignoring the attractions of Haydock Park and Wigan Pier, I exit at Junction 27 and a sign 'We've Got It All In West Lancashire' - well definitely pouring rain and surface water !! Taking in the striking Christ Church in Parbold, and the villages of Newburgh (twinned with Newburgh, Indiana !) and historic Lathom brings me to the outskirts of Burscough. There's The Blue Mallard at Burscough Wharf then The Hop Vine in the town centre, before turning into Tesco for free unlimited parking - there is no parking at the ground.

Victoria Park is flanked by housing on two sides, open ground on another and Tesco and the Fitness and Racquets Centre on the final one, up Bobby Langton Way with the Mart Lane entrance housing the main turnstile. Inside there's a club shop, canteen/ snack bar and a solitary toilet...that doesn't lock...

On this side is the grandstand, whilst the Crabtree Lane end has a shelter and opposite is a covered terrace. In the corner is a privately owned clubhouse, 'The Barons' and a dismantled floodlight - is this the 'ongoing issue' ? Around the pitch are hoardings advertising companies offering tractors, sheds, forklifts and....exotic mushrooms ! There's also a Victoria Park 100 Years of Football 1908-2008 sign, but disappointingly the 'Burscough FC We Are L40' banner is absent.

The Linnets are in all green, whilst their keeper is in all yellow, forcing the Wire to change to all blue. Warrington are encouraged by a vociferous away support, including a drummer, and treat us to the delights of 'You're just a bus stop in Ormskirk' and 'Jesus is a Wire' - and yes full back Lewis Field does bear a resemblance !! For the large part this is the only noise inside the stadium as the tannoy also has 'ongoing issues'....

The rain has stopped and bright winter sunshine and blue skies grace the first half. Wire winger Chris Gahgan hits the bar within 2 minutes from a cross cum shot, and then Burscough's keeper's hurried clearance hits his own man and rolls agonisingly wide.

For a while it's all Warrington but just as the Linnets appear to have weathered the storm, a short free kick and cut back sees the ball roll under a defender's foot on the uneven surface, and FA Cup match winner Craig Robinson taps in to put the Wire one up at half time.

Within a minute of the second half starting centre forward Ben Wharton turns his marker rather too easily and shoots low into the corner to double the lead. The game turns feisty with eight yellow cards shown and cries from the crowd of 'Are you practicing, ref?' and 'Have you done this before?'

Thankfully matters calm down and on 67 minutes another Wire free kick, another horrible Linnets miscue and fellow striker Ashley Ruane half volleys the third into the exact same spot. Warrington are only denied a fourth, three minutes later, by an offside flag after hitting the post with the rebound headed home.

In the last ten minutes, with the game won Warrington ease down, and the Linnets, who have been underwhelming to say the least, come into the game. Jordan Williams' barnstorming run and shot is rewarded with a goal - a consolation that the Wire keeper should have saved. Too little too late though as it finishes 3-1 to the Wire. ☺

Zebras Earn Then Lose Their Stripes...

And so to the Autonet Community Stadium at Norton Cricket Club & Miners Welfare Institute in Smallthorne, a working class district just outside Stoke. Today's game features Norton United and Brigg Town in Evostik Division 1 South.

Norton are a comparatively new club, set up in 1989 and promoted through the Staffordshire, Midland and North West Counties Leagues. 2014 saw them win the latter, and meeting ground criteria, move up to Step 4 of Non-League. It has also seen them reach the first round of the FA Cup for the first time, with a home tie against Gateshead next weekend.

Brigg are based in Glanford Brigg, to give it the full title, in North Lincolnshire. Established in 1864, they are celebrating 150 years of football - only 4 clubs are older, Sheffield, Harefield United, Hallam and Cray Wanderers. The Zebras' (due to their black and white striped shirts) history reveals two FA Vase wins, in 1996 and 2003, and promotion to their current level in 2004.

Past a rather bewildered looking youth sporting a ginger Mohawk outside the revamped Orange Tree, and then beyond the vintage Belle Vue bus in Bowdon, it's a return to the Potteries. So yes, more M6 patchwork tarmac and imbecile drivers, before turning off through Middleport, Longport and Burslem, with Price's National Teapots and the defunct Ceramica museum en route.

Then it's into Smallthorne, avoiding Jupiter and Saturn Streets, with the football club on Community Drive, tucked in amongst the maisonettes. The Institute, a far more imposing building and with the longer history, is on the right and the football club, with its solitary turnstile, on the left.

The admission sign says £5, but on proffering the correct change, I'm met with a bemused 'What's that for then?' The gateman is thoroughly confused, and we eventually establish that £5 is actually £7, and no I'm not an OAP......

A narrow alley, next to an artificial pitch, leads down to a raised walkway beneath which is the covered seated area. Two sides of the ground are bounded by trees and those maisonettes, and one end is open, looking out onto distant densely packed housing in one direction, hills in the other. The popular side holds the clubhouse, balcony and changing rooms, reached by steps up the grassy bank. There's also a small covered area next to the dugouts on the far side, and a walkway round the pitch.

Norton are in their red and black stripes, with Brigg in change pink with black flashings, rendering their shirt sponsor illegible. Norton are mid-table, but the Zebras are not enjoying their 150th anniversary - next to bottom, 9 players out injured, only 2 subs, and defeated 7-2 by the only club below them, Kidsgrove.

In a cold, blustery wind, Norton start energetically, attacking with pace. The Zebras' goal leads a charmed life with keeper Robert Zand making two good saves and Norton hitting the bar. Shortly after Brigg's rather portly central midfielder leaves the fray with a broken cheekbone, a free kick falls to Norton's Paul Taylor who confidently strokes home.

Brigg have been poor but are galvanised, hitting the bar twice and then the post within a minute. From the ensuing corner, Timothy Taylor is tripped (no ale involved !!) and captain Anthony Bowsley scores from the penalty spot to equalise on the half hour. Soon after, on the counter attack, Tim Taylor hits an arrowing strike into the roof of the net. 'Zee-bras' is the cry from the travelling faithful, and Brigg comfortably maintain their lead till half time.

Within minutes of the start of the second half, there's a second penalty as Norton's keeper takes out the onrushing forward - Bowsley scores again for 3-1. Elliott Broughton then scores on the hour with a composed finish after truly horrible defending to make it 4-1. More 'Zee-bras' and disbelief at what looked a home banker, especially after the game's first quarter.

Norton have been aimless for the second and third quarters of the match, coughing up possession far too easily and guilty of overplaying and kamikaze defending. Manager Scott Dundas has seen enough and makes a triple substitution.

Within moments we have the game's third penalty, this time for the home side. The linesman deems it a fair tackle but the referee overrules him; Thomas Winkle scores and Norton believe...... Five minutes later Paul Taylor gets his second, heading a long throw into the top corner as Brigg start to cave in. Unsurprisingly an equaliser arrives after Lee Cropper volleys in a left wing cross. Fireworks light up the sky and the heavily tattooed home supporter next to me, looking like death warmed up, celebrates by opening another can of Special Brew.....

The agony goes on for the Zebras, as an unsighted Zand fumbles a shot from the edge of the box, and Michael Lennon taps home. Then the best goal of the match - all one touch pass and move, the ball then played into space behind the centre back and Lennon sidesteps the keeper and tucks home.

Four minutes from time Jon Beaumont heads home a corner, the assistant flagging that the ball crossed the line. Six goals in 21 crazy minutes to leave the crowd stunned as Norton win 7-4 in truly a game of four distinct quarters. The talking point - whether the Gateshead scout left after 65 minutes..... ?

Quite, quite extraordinary ☺

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 ☺

Comedy Keeper Seels Ammies' Triumph !

And so to Seel Park, home of Mossley AFC, The Lilywhites, for their eagerly awaited clash with much hyped Salford City, The Ammies.

Mossley AFC was formed in 1903 as Park Villa, changing their name to Mossley Juniors and then Mossley AFC in 1909. They moved into Seel Park in 1912, which at 850 feet above sea level is the fourth highest non-league ground in the country.

The club were non-league giants in the 1970s, featuring in the Granada TV show 'Mossley Goes To Wembley' but overreached themselves and only avoided financial oblivion by selling their ground to the local council, who leased it back to them. In 2009 two floodlight pylons collapsed and the rest were condemned....

Salford was set up in 1940 as Salford Central, becoming Salford Amateurs (hence the Ammies nickname) in 1963 and then to City in 1989. Earlier this year they were bought by five of the Class of 92, Butt, Scholes, Giggs and the Neville brothers - and not surprisingly changed the club colours from tangerine to red !

Over new tram tracks, past the Crystal Methodist's Pyramid and it's off the M60 at the sign for 'Tameside tourist attractions'. Skirting Staly Vegas and passing Frisky Meadows Cats Hotel, it's into Mossley with Seel Park on a tiny side street, next to the Highland Laddie pub, alongside the Bottoms area of the town.

There's an impressive tree house in the front garden of the property next to the ground, and a blue plaque commemorating the club inside. To the left is a small main stand, and on the right the boardroom, Bob Murphy Suite and a bar with balcony, from which several people sit watching the entire match.

The Park End is a covered terrace, but there is no sign of the Mossley Ultras - just one freeloader watching from the trees. On the far side is another part covered terrace, framed by panoramic hill views, and the top end is raised terrace, complete with one tangerine and black SCFC flag, and an emergency exit open into the local primary school. In the corner is a tractorway onto the pitch and a curious brick wall, the last remnant of a building pulled down.

The image is of a ground chiselled into the hillside, an undulating pitch and some quite glorious views. In keeping with the setting, the tannoy is no match for the church bells that start pealing before kick off !

Mossley, in white and black naturally, start on top and hit the bar twice early on, once from a downward header from a corner and the other a sweetly struck free kick. Salford, in change dark blue, cannot make head nor tail of the offside trap. Then completely against the run of play, the Ammies' Ashley Dunn scores low into the corner with a deflected shot from a partially cleared corner.

Salford then grow into an injury punctuated half and lead at the break. Half time sees several youngsters take the opportunity to take selfies with Gary Neville, there with his father, Neville Neville - brother Phil presumably on Match of the Day duty, although he was at the midweek game at Warrington.

The second half has the Lilywhites starting well again, although there are chances at both ends. And then Danny Webber, himself from the Class of 92 but largely overshadowed today by his much travelled strike partner, Gareth Seddon, has his moment in the sun. Andy Smart's clever ball holds up in the wind and Webber pounces on it, drawing the keeper and then deftly curling it into the corner, past three defenders on the line, for 2-0.

Salford think they have won the game and withdraw their strike force. This backfires when they concede a daft penalty that sub Douglas Carroll confidently sweeps home.

Hopes of a Mossley fightback come to naught however as with three minutes left that comedy moment arrives. The Mossley keeper attempts to launch a long clearance from by the corner flag - it goes all of 30 yards and straight to Ammies substitute, Jamie Rother, who rolls it into an unguarded net for 3-1 finalizado to leave Salford top.

Barlicked at the Barton...

And so to the Barton Stadium (formerly the Great Western Playing Field), and the home of Winsford United - the ground named after committeeman Mr RG Barton who re-established the club after World War 1.

The club share the ground with 1874 Northwich, set up in November 2012 as a supporter owned breakaway from troubled Northwich Victoria after their demotion, ground repossession and subsequent relocation to first Stafford and then Flixton. It is named after the date the original club - Northwich Hare and Hounds and Football Club - was founded. In their inaugural season they were promoted to the top tier of the North West Counties after Formby FC folded.

Today's visitors are Barnoldswick Town (Barlick) from the Silentnight Stadium, and formed in 2003 from a merger of Barnoldswick United and Barnoldswick Park Rovers.

The journey begins with roadworks on Chester Road (Deep Excavation) and is plagued with signs promising impending road closures. Good to see a pub, The Slow and Easy, making fun of itself on the blackboards outside (The Low and Sleazy!), then past the Witton Chimes and into that one way system - no problems this week ! Finally right at the pretty floral Road One roundabout, and the ground is next to the Top House pub, on the outskirts of a housing estate.

Through the car park and inside it is easy to see the ground once housed a greyhound track. Past Jake's Cabin and the tyres on the banking behind the goal, on my left are several closed buildings and then the 1874 club shop - 95 season tickets sold at this level is very impressive. Next to this is the Blues Refreshment Bar & Supporters Shop above the 200 seater main stand. Alongside also a wipeboard with today's teams, and the ubiquitous abandoned shopping trolley.......

At the top end a ball boy is dozing in the rough behind the goal (as soft as a Silentnight mattress ?), and there's plenty of tarpaulin and a shed that's seen better days. Down the popular side, behind the dugouts, is a covered terrace with low (very low actually - 6 feet tops) overhanging roof. The pitch is like a bowl, raised at the side and in the corners.

Both sides are festooned in green and white Union flags as, in warm sunshine but with a stiff breeze, 1874 take the pitch in traditional Northwich green shirts with white flashings and black shorts. Keeper Matt Conkie is in a deep pink, white and black affair.... Barlick are in blue with yellow sleeves.

Northwich start well, conjuring several chances which they shun, and it is against the run of play when Barlick hit the post. This galvanises the home team, who hit the bar and the inside of the post in the same passage of play, before centre forward Mike Brandon curls a free kick into the top corner on 36 minutes.

Half time sees a presentation and an observation from the announcer that 'the picture would look better without the two gentlemen with beards'. A couple of biplanes glide past to see what all the fuss is about, and sirens start wailing - but it's just coincidence.

Shortly after half time Matt Beadle volleys home a second, and you fear the worst for Barlick. However a free kick from Broderick keeps low and goes through Conkie's legs for an unlikely away goal.

This prompts an immediate response from Northwich, hitting the post and forcing Town's keeper into a magnificent tip over. Soon after Brandon is given time and space to hit home his second, and Northwich's third. Northwich then create a procession of chances which they contrive to miss, the nearest coming from a desperate Barlick clearance that hits the bar. Indeed desperate rather sums up the away side's performance.

3-1 at the finish with Barlick well beaten and looking to be in for a long season. Northwich pick up their first home points of the season, after Tuesday's floodlight failure and abandonment, and look forward to their first ever FA Cup tie next weekend. The crowd of 287 (three times what the Vics are getting) leave the ground believing another promotion is possible ☺