Milan Is The Man - Let's Be Avenue As Winning(ton) Lose

And so to Mereheath Lane in Knutsford for a Cheshire League Premier Division clash between Egerton FC and Winnington Avenue YC 94.

Egerton FC was formed in 2002 and named after founder Maurice Egerton, and, after playing in local leagues, joined the Cheshire League Division Two in 2012. This was renamed Division One for the 2014/15 season.

In May 2016 chairman Tom O'Donnell (in attendance today) announced plans to redevelop the Youth Club site in order to be eligible for promotion to the North West Counties Football League. During the 2017/18 campaign Egerton received national media coverage after signing former professionals Nathan Ellington, Dean Gorre and the (tragically) late JLloyd Samuel. In the same season, Egerton finished fourth in the Cheshire League Division One, earning promotion to the Premier Division in the process. 

The Yellows entered the FA Vase in 2019/20 but the club was later withdrawn after failing a ground grading inspection. That same season Egerton put forward their nomination to move up to the NWCFL, but the season's Covid curtailment proved a blessing - 7 points from 18 games would surely have meant exiting the division in the opposite direction !! They were thwarted by FC St Helens' championship last term, finishing third.  

This season has, thus far, proved to be a mixed bag - 6 wins and 6 defeats sees the Yellows in 10th (of 17).

Winnington Avenue YC 94 was established, unsurprisingly, in 1994. Initially playing in the Crewe and District League, where they were champions in 2014/15, Avenue joined the Cheshire League Division Two in 2018. Unable to play at their nearby home venue at Jubilee Fields, requiring extensive modifications, Winnington have taken residence at Moss Farm for their Cheshire League adventures.

Promoted at the end of a Covid ravaged 2019/20 campaign Avenue went up as runners up last season after a ridiculous 8-1 final day away victory at Blacon Youth, bombing out fellow contenders Vulcan....

Avenue currently sit 7th with six wins, 2 draws and 4 defeats.

Past the Moss Trooper, Hare & Hounds, Fusion Kitchens, Indian Stone (Paving etc) and then a detour through affluent Hale, via the Grand Designs house on Bankhall Lane. Beyond 'Beyond Stitching', to the site of the old Bleeding Wolf and onto Ashley Road with numberplates NUG6S (an orange Porsche !) and B10OMY, then a van advertising The Veteran Locksmith and finally the wise man's registration plate -  5AGE.

Into leafy Cheshire and Ashley, the Greyhound, Tatton Weddings at Stock Barn Farm and the Tatton Mile as torrential rain pours down. Avoiding High Legh Water Tower and running the gauntlet - Gauntlet Birds of Prey - Eagle & Vulture Park - it's through flooded roads onto Mereside Road then Mereheath Lane before I reach Egerton Youth Club.

Despite previous advice that a fee would be charged to enter the cage, a crowd of 29 assembles for free. The leaf strewn astroturf surface is at the rear, trees in the distance, the social club opposite and both ends flanked by grass pitches. There is a mini sheltered terrace on the near side, which comes in handy at half time when the rain returns... but we kick off to sunshine and jets - the ground in Manchester Airport's flightpath.

Egerton, naturally, are in yellow and black, Avenue in red and white chequers, the near linesman wearing protective glasses. Winnington's keeper, in orange and wearing, appropriately, the number 94 jersey makes two good saves just after the quarter hour, parrying wide. Avenue have one effort narrowly wide from distance - but it's all rather frenetic, littered with mistimed tackles, overhit passes and aimless hoofing. And it's a surprise when, with less than a minute to half time, the Yellows have two attempts blocked and the ball falls to Milan Thompson who steers it into the top corner. Quite frankly it's a goal the game doesn't deserve and Egerton lead 1-0 at the break.

The second half lives down to expectations - Avenue fashion a good move just after the hour on the right wing which is disappointingly wasted wide of the far post. Egerton should have been awarded a penalty shortly after, but matters liven up in the last ten minutes.

The booking count reaches four and Winnington throw caution to the wind in an attempt to find an equaliser, but without seriously threatening. That leaves them exposed at the back and prompts two excellent chances for the Yellows - the first, on the left, placed just wide and the second in injury time a 30 yard effort at an open goal, Avenue's keeper hopelessly marooned outside the box, which agonisingly brushes the outside of the post - rather summing up a match that Egerton edge 1-0....

A Walk In The Paddock - Valley Out Of Their Depth......

And so not to the Butchers Arms in Droylsden, but to Manchester Enterprise Academy (formerly Parklands High School) in Wythenshawe, for a Cheshire League Division Two fixture between Stretford Paddock - their first home match in this league - and Mersey Valley, ahead of tonight's Rugby League Grand Final at Old Trafford.

Stretford Paddock is an unofficial, unaffiliated Manchester United You Tube channel and news outlet, with its studio in Lever Street in Manchester's Northern Quarter. It was founded in January 2013 as Full Time Devils United fan channel.

In 2018 Full Time Devils changed ownership and on 22 November that year the Stretford Paddock You Tube channel was created to replicate the original Full Time Devils site.

Stretford Paddock FC was accepted to join the Lancashire and Cheshire League on 12 June 2020. Promoted from Division One, after a truncated eight game season that saw five wins and a draw, Paddock finished third in the Premier - and that was sufficient to earn them a Cheshire League Division Two place for 2022/23. Six successive away games has brought three wins, a draw and two defeats - but no league games for four weeks, amidst rumours that Dave Pace, owner of dormant Droylsden FC, is selling their home venue, the Butchers Arms ground, for housing.

Mersey Valley FC from Banky Lane, which lies on the border of Sale and Carrington, was set up in 2014, joining the Cheshire League Division 2. The Ambers gained promotion in 2016, but dropped down in 2018 despite finishing mid table. Valley then resigned mid season 2019/20 with their results expunged.

The club reformed and was readmitted this summer to the Cheshire League, starting with 4 home fixtures but their record shows two draws out of 6 home games and a solitary away win from three contests, and they lie next to bottom with 5 points from 9 games (after a 9-1 drubbing at St Michaels last weekend). Their motto of 'Health and Happiness' rather misplaced currently.....

En route, fittingly as the sun puts in an appearance, today's first numberplate is RAY5, joined later by CA11 PBP (PB Painters) and a van displaying 'How's My Driving ? - 'Call 0800 F*CK YOU'.... Then afterwards URB4N and a lorry advertising Scheidt & Bachman.... That same eclectic bunch of shops brings me via Elijos (formerly Mughal), Wok Inn, Jolly's Kafe, hold ups due to MT Grab Hire, to Timperley Village, and the Frank Sidebottom statue, Little Italy and the 'Bar In The Village' (not much thought put into that one !!)

Then after Dixons Brooklands Academy, passing Southmoor Industrial Estate, Schmitz Cargobull, Beers Timber & Building Supplies, Roundthorn and Martinscroft tram stops as we reach Hollyhedge Road. There follows St John's Catholic Mens Club and Haveley Hey Primary School on the vast council estate encircling Greenwood Road and Newall Green. 

The academy, with its new facility 'The Greenwood', is opposite Foxlair Road and abutting Simonsway. A 3G pitch and, unusually, a 3pm kick off, with a crowd peaking at 35 and no Chicken Hut Blues in this part of Wythenshawe....

Paddock, sponsored by OneFootball, are in United red and white, Mersey, sponsored by Motor Technology, are in amber and black - the home side have a goal disallowed on 5 minutes for offside but continue to press. Eventually the ball is cut back on 26 for Michael Burke to shoot and his effort just squirms over the line. Valley are having more joy hitting the corner flag than testing Stretford's keeper...

Nine minutes on Ronaldo Brown is tripped in the area and Tom Jones unconvincingly converts the penalty - this either side of two awful misses (his dad's words - stood next to me); one after bypassing the keeper and shanking wide, the other from barely four yards. So perhaps it's not unusual that he is hooked at half time.... A second disallowed goal leaves Paddock two up at the break.

The second period provides more of the same and on 54 James Oatt volleys home at the far post for 3-0. Eight minutes after impressive and speedy winger Kieron Molloy fires across the keeper to make it four - which becomes five on 71 as sub David Salome Sharpe drills in from a well worked free kick.

And that is pretty much that, the closest to another goal when Paddock hit the post, as the Ambers leave 5-0 losers, with a late sinbinning and 5 yellow cards - the last, bizarrely, to Mersey's manager for a comment from the crowd ('Ref - you're Stretford's man of the match'). But at least we see Valley have a shot on target....

 

Badgers Sett For Second Round - Eccles? A Piece Of Cake.... !!

And so what was to be Longley Lane and Wythenshawe Cricket & Sports Club for a Manchester FA Amateur Cup First Round tie between Manchester League Division Two rivals Baguley Athletic and Eccles United - a late switch seeing the match moved to Dixons Brooklands Academy.

Baguley Athletic FC was established in April 2004 as a breakaway from parent club Woodhouse Park United. The Badgers achieved back to back promotions in 2006 and 2007 but thereafter immediately folded.

The club was reincarnated in 2013, joining the Manchester Saturday Morning League. Promoted in 2016, folding again in 2019, but reforming in 2020, and entering the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur Football League for 2021/22, Baguley finished fourth (of 11) in Division Two.

The Badgers were then accepted into the Manchester League Division Two this past close season, and have started with three wins and a defeat prior to last weekend's away league fixture with today's visitors, Eccles United, which was called off due to HM Queen Elizabeth II's death.

Eccles United began life as Eccles Borough in 1907/08, playing in the Lancashire Combination Division Two in Bradburn Street, Patricroft, and promoted in 1911 before becoming Division One champions in 1913 and 1915. The Eccles changed name to Eccles United during World War I, and after finishing runners up in the Lancashire Combination One in the 1920/21 season moved across to the Cheshire League in 1925.

It wasn't a happy move - two last place finishes in 1926 and 1928 prefaced oblivion for United. Or should that be a long lived hibernation and then resurrection as United, like a phoenix from the flames, reformed, over 90 years later, as Grapes FC in 2020, playing Sunday League football before having the club name ratified back to Eccles United in May 2021. (There was also a short lived Eccles Town, playing in the Manchester League for four seasons from 1983 to 1987).

The Eccles finished third in Division 2 of the Lancashire and Cheshire League in 2021/22, and joined Manchester League Division Two for this campaign. United, playing at Salford City Roosters, have started with a win, a draw and a loss.... and that postponed league fixture against the Badgers last weekend.

En route Deluxe Fried Chicken (opening soon !), that eclectic parade of shops featuring House of Boba (bubble tea), Barberian, Timperley Aesthetics, Cheshire Clocks and Marvel Guitars brings me to Moss Park Community Gardens and number plates GRO6GEY and D3 BOY. Thereafter Timperley Stove & Fuel Centre, the Grange estate and a pedestrian cut through via Threshfield Drive.

Briefly into Brooklands then Baguley and left onto Moor Lane, next to the tram line and Dixons Brooklands Academy, formerly Manchester Health Academy, and prior to that Brookway High School. Inside a work of art from sculpsist Mitzi Cunliffe, 'Man & Technic'...

The academy boasts a 3G pitch, 2 grass fields and, at the top end and perpendicular, tree lined at both ends, housing opposite, and with a business park in the corner, the 'Firsts' pitch hosting today's game. Badgers, obviously, are in black and white but more grey than white and sponsored by Northedge Architecture, Eccles in yellow and black, sponsored by Taxis Transfers. A crowd of just under 25 watches, only just surpassing the number of red bins spread across the fields.....

A capricious wind and bobbly pitch make for a turgid affair - Badgers dominating but guilty of poor shooting. Indeed Eccles have the best two chances - one wastefully spurned wide, the other a wonderful half volley tipped onto the top of the crossbar by Athletic's Dan Green.

Then with two minutes to the break a ball is whipped in, headed on and struck across the goalkeeper into the far corner.... and the Badgers lead.

Two minutes into the second period a decent cross produces a fine header, well saved, but the rebound is gobbled up to double Athletic's advantage. Seven minutes on and Baguley bag a three goal lead; Mike Taylor's free kick badly fumbled and a dink over the keeper makes it 3-0.

Thereafter more torpidity, the Badgers striking the bar, and in injury time Eccles' sub Adam Peck glances a header beyond Green for a consolation and the cup tie finishes ten seconds later - 3-1 to Baguley.

A quick shimmy round Lidl, then the Ericstan for the second half of Wythenshawe Town and Winsford United (attendance 211 plus a half time interloper...) It's a half bookended by goals in the 46th and 89th minutes, and, with 5 goals before half time, Wythy triumph 7-0.

Villa Thriller - But Chaddy The Alpha Males... !!!!

And so to Bank Holiday Monday and a trip to another Villa Park, aka the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground, named after the founder of today's hosts, Euxton Villa FC, who play Chadderton FC in the North West Counties Division One North.

Formed in 1907 as Euxton FC, the club joined the West Lancashire League, renaming to Euxton Villa FC in 1963. Successive promotions, both as runners up, in 2003 and 2004 saw Villa ascend to the West Lancashire Premier League. Third place last term meant the club's application to move up to Step 6 was approved.

Four straight wins, including a 3-1 defeat of Runcorn Town at Villa Park in their first ever NWCFL home match was tarnished by a 2-2 home draw with Darwen on Saturday leaving the home side second.

Chadderton FC, 'Chaddy', was formed in 1947 as Millbrow FC, then became North Chadderton Amateurs and finally Chadderton FC in 1957. Initially competing in the Oldham Amateur League, the club then progressed through the Manchester Amateur League and on to the Manchester League in 1963.

 

A step up to the Lancashire Combination followed and, after finishing runners up in 1982, they became a founder member of the North West Counties, created by the merger of the Lancashire Combination and Cheshire County League.

Promotion in 1990 was swiftly met with relegation the season after, but the club lasted longer at the higher level after gaining promotion in 1993 - until being forcibly demoted in 1999 due to ground grading issues.

 

In 2007 Chaddy was taken over by Craig Halliwell and Tony Bhatti of HB Property Group, but within two years ties had been severed; the club becoming a members' club run by the people for the people. The play offs were reached in 2015, following which lower than mid table finishes have been the norm. 

The team remains best known for two of its ex-players - England international David Platt and Mark Owen from Take That.

 

This time four victories to start the league season was spoilt by a 2-0 home loss at the Falcon Fire Stadium to current leaders Pilkington, with Chaddy currently placing 5th, and out of the Isuzu Vase last Saturday at the hands of Frickley Athletic.

Past Lots of Walks, the faux Hairstylist Drive takes me through Sale, the old Sale Post & Telegraph Office, and Soul Star Holistics, with Garveys advertising events in March... Registration plates today are HAV1T and H4LF K as I drive beyond Beyond (Chill Factore) to reach the M61 and its motorway graffiti 'Sabotage Dissent Do Not Consent'.

 

Past the Macron and off at Junction 8 Botany Bay where I am held up by a tractor pulling a trailer with a badly (fatally) mangled tyre. Through Euxton and into the back of beyond, never ending country lanes and finally, opposite Runshaw Hall, the Jim Fowler Memorial Ground.

 

Just sufficient parking for a bumper crowd of 224, which includes Paul Scholes (his son making a substitute appearance for Chaddy in the second half) and £5 in - but £3 for 'Conncessions'....

 

Inside is the clubhouse, to the left a warm up pitch and the Blind Tiger Inns Stand - 54 seats which host 3 noisy Chaddy fans and their flag. It's cordoned off beyond this and the far end is also out of bounds so the popular side, including a small covered area, is busy - the rural ground surrounded by foliage and trees. 

Euxton are in orange and black, Chadderton in change fluorescent lime and black - their home strip is all red... Twenty five minutes of nothingness ensues...

 

Then, out of nothing, a 25 yard left foot screamer top bins in the right hand corner from Villa's Josh Briggs and puts Euxton ahead. Matters are reversed in the last five minutes of the half; first an expertly threaded through ball is converted, with aplomb, by Cory Knight. Then two minutes before the break Adam Dale heads home from a corner, and the visitors lead 2-1.

 

The second period starts slowly too, until Ethan Darr heads home, again from a corner, for Villa to restore parity on 59 minutes. It's a turning point that doesn't turn however - 60 seconds later Euxton concede a penalty for a trip in the box and Jordan Schofield tucks away the spot kick.

 

With a quarter of an hour to play a dreadful Chaddy corner is matched by an equally awful headed clearance and James Purfield smashes home for 4-2. Cue all out Villa pressure, leaving themselves bare at the back, but despite striking the frame of the goal and Matty Davies' cute chip which drifts and hits the post, the game finishes 4-2 to Chaddy after six minutes of added time.

Foley's Night Meir - Red Card and Visitors Ville-ins Of The Piece.... !

And so to the McIntosh Arena on Whitcombe Road in Meir, Stoke on Trent, for Foley Meir's first ever North West Counties Division One South home league game against Ashville FC.

Foley Football Club was founded in 1947 by a group of friends and ex-servicemen from the now forgotten Foley district of East Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent.

A replica of Arsenal's strip was purchased from the late Les Evans, later club president, who had a shop in King Street, Longton and the club, based next to the Foley Arms, playing at 'The Open Holes', joined Longton League Division 2. Foley moved to their current ground on Whitcombe Road in Meir in 1982.

In 1996 the club joined Midland League Division Two, winning the league at the first attempt. In 2005, following the Midland League's merger with the Staffordshire County League, the club became a founder member of the Staffordshire County Senior League. 

The Foley changed name to Foley Meir - the former Midland Combination Meir KA (Kings Arms) becoming defunct in 2010. The team won the championship in 2020/21, and placed fourth last season, earning promotion to the North West Counties Football League Division One South. Three away fixtures have produced an opening day 2-1 victory at Cheadle Heath Nomads, a 7-1 drubbing in the local derby with Abbey Hulton and a 3-1 defeat to Sandbach.

Ashville FC was founded in 1949 by D-Day veteran John Dennett and his wife Joyce at 25 Ashville Road, Wallasey, initially entering the Wallasey Youth League and then joining the Bebington League in 1951. After winning the Bebington League, Ashville moved to the Wirral Combination, winning the league in all three seasons they competed in it.

In 1955 'Ville was voted into the West Cheshire League, winning Division Two in their inaugural season and after promotion to Division One relocated from Wallacre Park to Villa Park on Cross Lane in 1962. Champions in 1968 and 2012, with a couple of relegations en route, quickly rectified, the club finished runners up last term and was admitted to the North West Counties Division One South for the new campaign.

After the 4-0 home rout of Abbey Hey witnessed on the opening day, two away draws and a 5-2 home massacre of Barnton, 'Ville lost 2-1 at home to Maine Road last weekend.

Beyond Perfect Shutters and then The Vegetarian Society - appropriately registration plate V3DJY appearing opposite - and another glorious colourful floral  display at Denzell Gardens. A car displaying the Cornwall flag, more registration plates 1 LET and SIILYS, and a dogwalking business Tours 4Paws leads me to the M6. Motorway graffiti from The Pies has now been replaced by Mass Formation Psychosis...

Past lorry skirts advertising Blue Lagoon Spas, Orange County CBD and 'Are You Pregnant ?', it's off at Junction 16 onto the A500, eschewing the Bet365 stadium, and through Talke, past the Pepper Mill, Olympus Engineering, Diamond Freight and the Tam O'Shanter Inn. Then the A50 brings me to Meir and left onto the A520, Dougie Mac's, Chilli Jacks, a quirky corner shop, signs for Foxfield Steam Railway and roadworks just before Whitcombe Road.

The ground is on a private road, the pitch chiselled out of a hollow in a gorgeous setting, tree lined, with views of the Dresden suburb in the distance. There is ample parking for a crowd of 63, with at least 20 from the Wirral. £5 in, which includes a programme - shame about the date.....

The near side hosts a bar, cafe and the changing rooms whilst the bijou stand has been extended from a 24 seater to a Heinz - 57 seats. Steeply banked sides mean the top end and opposite are cordoned off - despite a cameo dreadful performance behind the goal by an Ashville pensioner....

Unlike FC St Helens, where the floodlights were a work in progress (2 up, 4 with bases installed), there is no evidence of lighting work in the ground. Which makes the derby with Stafford Town on Tuesday 4 October at 8pm rather optimistic.....

A lush pitch, glorious sunshine, which clouds over, sees Foley in red and black with yellow trim, Ashville in grey and black quarters, white backs and red shorts and socks. A young, lean referee is assisted by two very rotund linesmen.....

Seven minutes in the ball is cut back for Ashville's Liam Davies to smash into the top corner and the visitors lead. Thereafter the Foley are wasteful with Saki Ahmadi shooting well over twice, Mark Grice forcing a tremendous save from 'Ville's Michael Dixon, when he should have scored, and Dan Counter getting his header all wrong from a corner.

On the counter Ashville conjure up a glorious opportunity on 34 minutes - Sam Hunt's chip over the keeper leaves the ball on a plate for Tommy Johnstone to double the advantage, and the away side lead 2-0 at the break.

The second period is largely coma inducing - the Foley lacking urgency, invention and accuracy, and 'Ville content to sit on their two goal lead. It's game over on 69 minutes when Meir's Sam di Marco is shown a straight red for a professional foul just outside the box.

Matters are wrapped up six minutes before the end, when with both sides screaming for a free kick, a long ball is played through for Johnstone to square and sub Ben Greenop makes it three and that's how it finishes.

Borough Earn Their Stripes !!

And so to Windleshaw Sports Club in St Helens for a North West Counties Division One North fixture between FC St Helens and Bacup Borough.

FC St Helens, 'The Stripes', was established in 2014 in the heart of the town, originally as St Helens Town's reserve side. Their motto is 'Simul Nos Firmiories' - Together We Are Strong...

The club started in the West Cheshire League, before moving to the Cheshire League Division Two in 2015 and achieving promotions to Division One in 2016 and the Premier in 2018. As champions last season The Stripes were promoted to the NWCFL, replacing, ironically, former FA Vase winners St Helens Town, who finished bottom and were relegated. FC have started with a win and two draws from their opening three fixtures.

Bacup Borough, from the wonderfully named Cowtoot Lane, began life as Bacup Baldies (!) in 1879 before changing to Bacup then Bacup Borough in 1920. At the start of the 2013/14 campaign they became Bacup & Rossendale Borough, following the sad demise of Rossendale United FC. BARB only lasted two years and in 2015, after two wretched seasons, saw a reversion to Bacup Borough - not through supporter pressure but because 'evil spirits didn't approve' (I kid you not !!).

 

The Borough moved to their current ground, West View, now sponsored by local property developer Brian Boys, in 1889 and joined the Lancashire League in 1893. A move up to the Lancashire Combination in 1903 followed and the club was crowned champions in 1947.

 

Following the amalgamation of the Cheshire League and the Lancashire Combination, the club became founder members of the North West Counties in 1982. In September 1997 and after a 0-10 reverse against Tetley Walker, Brent Peters was appointed manager......and a quarter of a century on is still in charge for this afternoon's game - the world's longest serving football manager. He's also Chairman, Secretary and Director....

The club was promoted as Division Two champions in 2004 but, despite the club motto of 'Prosperity Through Endeavour', suffered relegation at the end of the 2014/15 season - those disapproving evil spirits presumably......... Borough just failed to bounce straight back, losing the play off final in extra time at Barnton in May 2016, and had two poor campaigns followed by mid table mediocrity and Covid..... This season has seen last weekend's 4-3 home win over Nelson after three straight defeats.

A horror journey which sees Dazzle The Clown, a bloke wearing a T shirt emblazoned with 'Beerilliant Dad', numberplates UR 53CUR (an alarm company) and EA55SSY and a building company advertising WhatTheMuk leads to wasps, accidents, stranded vehicles, roadworks and the M6 clogged from J20 to J26. Into Warrington and out on the A57 , the Pink Eye building, Crosfields ARLFC, Snoutwood Trotters (!), then Trigger Pond, Christmas Tree Farm and Bargyloo Farm.

 

That brings me to Bold Heath, Thatto Heath, Clock Face - its rugby league side Clock Face Miners ☺ - Sherdley Manor and via The Glass Horse to central St Helens. To Denton's Green and Tennis Street leading to Windleshaw Sports Club. Ample parking, a fiver in, and a crowd of 77 with at least 20 from Bacup.

Inside we are prevented from reaching the clubhouse by an officious steward - the ground is tree lined, a storage area next to the bar and outside seating and a very plush rest home with first floor balcony. At the top end is a playing field and a minuscule covered area, with the dugouts cordoned off and then, after a complaint, opened up prior to kick off.

St Helens are in red and white stripes, Borough in all white with dark blue herringbone sleeves. Four minutes in Bacup lead as Lewis-Simon Byrne's through ball reaches Jack Hayward, who cuts inside and flatfoots Saints' keeper Joe Mason, slotting into the far corner.

 

Thereafter FC hit the woodwork twice - one a palm onto the stanchion, the other a diving header from Zak Riley. They also miss a sitter, and half time sees Borough lead 1-0, but it's a messy half characterised by strong winds (despite the sunshine), a parched pitch and poor refereeing.

 

The weak refereeing continues into the second period, notwithstanding four Bacup yellow cards - the official failing to crack down on blatant gamesmanship. Borough go two up 6 minutes into the half with a Liam Houghton own goal, flicking in a Borough corner.

 

Houghton then follows this with a terrible miss at the other end, and Elliott Bradshaw heads over from a free kick. Finally, on 74 minutes, Jacob Stretch smashes the ball into the top corner from the edge of the box to halve the deficit.

 

But despite plenty of Stripes' huffing and puffing there is no equaliser as the game becomes increasingly bad tempered, and they are indebted to a super save from Mason at the death to leave Borough 2-1 winners.

Champagne Football From Bolly - Valley Of The Dead.....

And so to Banky Lane for a Cheshire League Division Two mid-week fixture between Mersey Valley FC and Bollington Town FC.

Mersey Valley FC from Banky Lane, which lies on the border of Sale and Carrington, was set up in 2014, joining the Cheshire League Division 2. The Ambers gained promotion in 2016, but dropped back in 2018 despite finishing mid table. Valley then resigned mid season 2019/20 with their results expunged.

The club reformed and was readmittted this summer to the Cheshire League, starting with 4 home fixtures - defeats 2-6 to Haydock FC and 0-5 to West Didsbury & Chorlton Reserves, and draws 2-2 against Stretford Paddock and 1-1 with Pilkington Reserves and then a sweltering 2-0 away defeat at Lymm Rovers last Saturday. Their motto of 'Health and Happiness' rather misplaced currently.....

Bollington Town FC was established in 2021, but strangely were champions of the Altrincham and District League Division One in both the 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

Bolly play at the Bollington Recreation Ground just outside Macclesfield, and, after being elevated to the Cheshire League have started with four straight victories.

Beyond Arthur's Tree, The Old Pelican, Siddalls Bridge and a dog pooh fairy that doesn't exist (!) brings me to Manor Avenue. Thereafter the Sam Brooks pub, the Racecourse Estate, rebranded as 'Our Sale West', then Manor Academy 'Succeeding Together' and Mersey Farm. Numberplates on view tonight are SO11JA W, CL0 8OOT and H20 PTP (Pete The Pipe), plus a gardener advertising as Never Mower...

That brings me to Banky Lane, the sewage works to the right and Mersey Valley Sports Club on the left. The club also hosts Sale Amateurs FC on an adjoining pitch, rugby in the form of Ashton on Mersey RUFC and a bowling green - a hoofed clearance in the first few minutes landing on the green, disturbing the bowls matches in progress. The iconic liveried shipping container is at the far end, the clubhouse adjacent and the other two sides are tree lined - and with midges again the sewage works......

Mersey Valley are in amber with a black stripe, Bollington in change black and white stripes with yellow trim. Kick off is pushed back to 1845, the crowd is 30ish, and Town waste three glorious chances in the first five minutes, one from an appalling back pass matched by an equally shocking one on one miss.

No matter as Josh Connolly stabs home from a yard on 7 minutes, and when the ball comes back off the post thrashes home the rebound two minutes later, which prompts a very early home substitution. The Ambers, in a rare attacking foray, see a header drift wide from a long throw, but it's all Bolly, pressing high and depriving Valley of their possession dominated game plan. Several more opportunities are spurned - the Valley keeper having a blinder - before Connolly cuts inside and squeezes, left footed, the ball inside the post for his hat trick on 37 minutes; Town lead 3-0 at the break.

More of the same in the second half - Bolly go four up on 54 minutes, with a short corner converted by Nathan Jackson, the ball squirming through the keeper's hands. The home custodian goes down with cramp shortly after - no wonder given how overworked he has been !!

5-0 arrives ten minutes later as a gorgeous through ball sees four Bolly attackers squabble over who will score, the Ambers' shotstopper performing heroics, his defenders absent without leave, and eventually Connolly delivers the coup de grace. And that's how it finishes, Bolly passing up more chances and the Ambers forcing one tip over - Town deserved winners, but they should have had more....