Outcasts Are Cast Out - East Is East, Blues Is Best........

And so to the Seashell Trust, formerly the Royal Schools For The Deaf, on Stanley Road in Cheadle Hulme for a Manchester League Division One derby between Manchester Central FC and East Manchester FC.

Manchester Central FC was formed in 1928 by Manchester City director John Ayrton and the owner of Belle Vue stadium, John Iles. Ayrton founded Manchester Central because he felt that East Manchester needed a League side - City having moved out of the area in 1923.

The Outcasts played at the Belle Vue Athletics and Speedway Stadium, joining the Lancashire Combination in its first year (1928). With Billy Meredith as coach, the Magpies finished seventh of 20, and applied to join the Football League for the 1929/30 season - which was knocked back.

Central finished runners up the following year, but another attempt to join the League failed. 1930/31 was less successful - 7th and another fruitless League application. However Wigan Borough resigned from the Football League in October 1931 and Central applied to take their place.

This was initially accepted but a formal complaint was lodged jointly by Manchester City and Manchester United, on the grounds that Manchester could not support a third League side. The Football League backed the existing sides, United receiving hugely critical media coverage, and Central were denied, subsequently resigning from the Combination, continuing in the Manchester Amateur League for a few years before becoming defunct.

The club was revived in 2016, joining the Manchester League Division One, and promoted to the Premier as runners up in 2018 - a season culminating in Murray Trophy and Terry Wood cup successes. Despite finishing second in the top tier the Outcasts chose to opt out at the end of the 2018/2019 campaign, before rejoining in Division Two in 2021 and earning promotion to Division One - five wins and a draw from 10 matches leaves the Magpies mid table (8th of 14) this term.

East Manchester FC, from the Wright Robinson College in Gorton was formed in 1960 as the works team of the Ferranti engineering factory and initially competed in the local Chorlton League, which they immediately won. A switch to the South East Lancashire League brought about several changes of name from Ferranti to ICT to ICL and finally to East Manchester in 1985.

Success in the South East Lancs prefaced The Blues joining the Manchester League in 1981, and a ground move from Mellands to the GMB club, both in Gorton. Winning the second tier title saw the club promoted to the Premier Division of the Manchester League, and a league and cup double arrived in 1992.

East moved venue again to Kirkmanshulme Lane, then settling at Dave Pace's Butchers Arms in Droylsden until 2006. A short return to the GMB ground and then the Blues took up residence at the Wright Robinson College in 2008. The club was relegated in 2015 but promoted back as champions the following season. However another demotion, in bottom place, in 2019 sees East playing, next to bottom this time with 9 points from 13 games, in the First Division.

Belatedly onto Park Road, delayed by roadworks, past a pony being led in a pink coat then De Luxe Chicken (still no sign of opening !) and Beauty by Peaches & Cream. Thereafter the Moss Trooper, Hare and Hounds, Al Khans, Cheshire Dog Spa and Bowdon Rugby Club on Clay Lane. All these intertwined with numberplates 123 ANY and JU51 BOX (a greengrocer) and a van emblazoned with 'The Rutland Fox'... and another with Willow Goat Crafts....

To Roaring Gate Lane, Hale Top Farm, Etrop Grange and the Manchester Airport Relief Road - thankfully not flooded today.... Off at the Handforth turn and Little Acorns Nursery - Fun Frogs in the opposite direction - and then right at the Waggon and Horses into Stanley Road.

The vast complex is on the left, tree lined, bounded by the Relief Road, construction works aplenty and a mix of residential housing (Sir Norman Stoller Way) and the Academy. Problems with the electric gates, both in and out, lead, eventually, via a pot holed access road to the car park, changing rooms and astroturf pitch. Confusion regarding kick off time but it's finally clarified as 3pm under the floodlights.

Central are in white and black with single back and red hoops, sponsored by iMap, East in all blue and a mix of Greystones and National Debt Support sponsored shirts. The referee is wearing gloves before a crowd of 12, with light rain turning to blustery winds and a leaf strewn (but not leaf logged !!) pitch.
 
The Magpies are sluggish in the first period, incohesive and lacking any real threat. No real surprise that the Blues take the lead just after the quarter hour - a clumsy challenge in the box, and the penalty comfortably converted. 90 seconds later it's 2-0 as a left wing cross is adeptly flicked into the far corner.
 
Finally the Outlaws get going and their best chance sees Gabriel Wiwoloku turn and fire, but it is deflected just wide. But it could be worse - East's right full back shoots from 25 yards, a minute before half time, and his sweet strike smacks the foot of the post before coming out.
 
A quadruple substitution for Central at half time sees no change as East hit the side netting - but then the substitutions start to make a difference... On 49 minutes sub Ruben Abreu receives the ball, beats his man, pulls back and scores to halve the deficit. Seven minutes later Abreu shows sublime skill to square to Kaine Martin who taps in, virtually on the goal line, and it's 2-2.
 
Just beyond the hour Abreu finds Junior Silva and his shot is blocked, desperately, on the line - East immediately counterattack for a two on one, which ends in a disappointing finish wide. Half an hour of end to end entertaining football follows, the crowd enthralled as to which (if any) side will poach the winner...

Then in the 90th minute the Blues break and, at the third attempt, their left back shoots into the roof of the net despite shotstopper Dan Whiting's vain attempts to save. East take the points from their 3-2 win, moving up to 11th, whilst the Outcasts reflect on 10 weeks without a home league win.....

Badgers Cull & Top Totty In Twelve Goal Thriller !!!!

And so to The Wythenshawe Club on Longley Lane in Northenden and a Manchester League Division Two fixture between Baguley Athletic and Tottington United. The end of the cricket season has seen Athletic revert from Dixons Brooklands Academy in Baguley, where I saw them beat Eccles United in the Cup, and that Man & Technic sculpture, to their usual 'home' at the cricket club.

Baguley Athletic FC was established in April 2004 as a breakaway from parent club Woodhouse Park United. The Badgers achieved back to back local league 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 eight wins, including an astonishing 15-1 slaughter of Cavaliers three weeks ago and a 6-3 drubbing of Eccles last weekend, and one defeat (to Chadderton Cott). Baguley sit second with games in hand....

Tottington United FC was formed by Norman Entwistle and his father in the early 1970s, playing in the Bury Sunday School League. Norman's father worked as a park keeper for Tottington Urban District Council before it became part of Bury Council in 1974.

In 1992 the club entered into a 20 year lease to play on the pitch formerly used by Tottington St Anne's FC. A Sports Council grant renovated the pitch and installed new changing rooms at St Anne's Field.

United joined the Manchester Football League Division One in 1996, gaining immediate promotion to the Premier as runners up. Despite a third place finish the following season Totty withdrew mid term in 1998/99.

The club then appeared in the West Lancashire League Division Two in 2001/02, but only for one season - resigning due to vandalism of the changing rooms. Tottington resurfaced in the Lancashire Amateur League Division One and were crowned champions in 2012/13.

Thereafter top half finishes followed but Totty were relegated in bottom place in 2017/18, however a promotion rebound as runners up came in the following year. United stood top in the curtailed 2019/20 campaign and that was sufficient to ascend to the Premier League.

Four wins and a defeat before the season was null and voided - and then the club came close to oblivion, due to a lack of players and the effects of the pandemic. Only a Covid loan from Bury Council kept the club alive, but the team did not compete in 2021/22.

Accepted into Manchester League Division Two for the 2022/23 campaign, Tottington currently sit above the pointless Breightmet and Cavaliers with 4 points from 10 games - after a three point deduction.

Up towards Timperley village and the Grange estate, the Old Garden, then across Beech Fields onto Maple Road and into Wendover - the scene recently of a drugs related kidnapping and assault and a murder. Numberplates en route are F1LTH and KF16HTS before I reach Wythenshawe Road and Hologic, Sky Farm Shop and then Wythenshawe Park and its newly reopened, after an arson attack in 2016, Hall - £6.7m of refurbishments over six years, whilst the arsonist was jailed for four and a half years.... Opposite is a house with an unusual carport and petrol pump in the front garden, massive mounds of leaves and a dead squirrel... 

Past the Ministry of St Bonaventure, briefly touching on Northern Moor and then it's under Princess Parkway to Face & Eye and the Jehovah's Witnesses Assembly Hall. Right into Longley Lane and beyond the Farmers Arms, Just Sew Perfect and Bread & Butties brings me to The Wythenshawe Club.

A narrow drive leads to the car park and clubhouse, the cricket pitch - the square fenced off - and sightscreens and scoreboard up top, mothballed for winter. The football pitch is also roped off and access is limited to one side only.

Opposite are the dugouts and behind the conifers lies an airport car parking facility, whilst at the top end and on the other side of more trees and another fence is the Vita Liquid Polymers plant. The other two sides are flanked by residential housing.

Baguley are in silver and black, United in change yellow with a blue and red diagonal stripe, in a match refereed by Titus Tresidder. The crowd accumulates to 23 and 3 dogs in the sun - but none of us predicts a dozen goal bonanza.....

Within 90 seconds a Baguley cross is cleared dreadfully and Lee Hendley sidefoots home. The Badgers then hit the bar twice before Totty break through via their speedy winger, home custodian Dan Green charging out, missing both man and ball and Ryan Lockett equalises.

Parity doesn't last long - 4 minutes in fact ! Lee Gaskell's suicidal back pass from beyond half way is nowhere near and Hendley calmly tucks away. Eight minutes later Victor Abadaki converts a near post header from a corner and it's 3-1.

On the half hour Green flaps at a Lockett shot and Jack Cabrelli scores from the rebound. Six minutes on The Badgers concede a needless penalty and Gaskell makes it 3-3. A breathless first half finishes with Hendley poking home from the six yard line for his hat trick and 4-3 to Baguley at the interval.

Hendley misses three one on ones in the second period as Athletic hit the bar again, but Kain Deegan shows him the way and makes it 5-3 on 61 minutes. Seven minutes on his stunning volley brings the score up to 6-3. Five minutes later some gorgeous penalty area interplay leaves sub Curtis Campbell to stroke home and we're at 7-3.....

United hit the post and then in the final five minutes a Totty break sees a cross that Green gets nowhere near, leaving sub Arran Ashall to tap in at the far post (7-4). Two minutes after Tom Hendley heads home for the Badgers, virtually on the goal line from a corner, to conclude matters at 8-4.

Breathtaking stuff !!  ☺

Jonny On The Spot Four Goalden Grey Lambs !!!!!

And so to the Park Stadium on Manchester Road for a Cheshire League Premier Division fixture between Lostock Gralam FC and Winstanley Warriors FC.

Lostock Gralam FC was founded in 1892, making the Grey Lambs (yes really !!) one of the oldest clubs in Cheshire; Gralam have played at the Park Stadium for over a century. The club also helped establish the Mid Cheshire League in 1948 as a founder member.

The club won a trio of championships between 1951 and 1953, but had to wait a decade before triumphing again in 1963. A further consecutive treble between 1966 (a 100% record - 24 matches, 24 wins) and 1968 followed, but the Grey Lambs left the Mid Cheshire League in 1975.

Lostock rejoined the Mid Cheshire League after a near 20 year hiatus for the 1993/94 season in Division Two, with promotion following in 1997 as champions. Relegated two terms later, Gralam won the (now) Cheshire League Second Division in 2010.

A yo-yo period between 2013 and 2016 (down, up, down, up) prefaced being crowned Cheshire League champions in 2019. Thereafter two Covid abandoned seasons, and fourth last time out. The Grey Lambs are seventh this season with seven wins and a draw from 11 matches - games in hand could see them rise to second, behind Broadheath Central.

Winstanley Warriors FC, from Little Lane in Goose Green in Wigan, was established in 2004. After playing in the Wigan & District League, Warriors joined the Cheshire League Division Two in 2016.

Moving up to Division One in 2018, Winstanley ascended to the top tier, the Premier, after securing 14 wins and 2 draws from 17 games in the pandemic curtailed 2019/20 season. Warriors are placed 11th (of 17) with 20 points from 12 matches - and only two points below the Grey Lambs.

Onto the A556, past Tim Burgess Chainsaw Sculptor at Rostherne, The Windmill at Tabley, Tabley House, Cuckooland, Dove Barn Weddings, The Smoker at Plumley, Celandine Court and The Weavers Whistle (formerly the Watermead) brings me to the Slow and Easy. Numberplates PR0 5E CU (a suspended sentence ?) and a flatbed R46 8ONE (an assortment of 'riches' in the back !!), a Chartered Geomatic Surveyors (no, new one on me too !!) and a dog walking business Strictly Come Wagging..... On the way back the car alongside entreats me to TE11 BEV... Into the pub car park through a tight entrance I take the 14th, and last, parking space on the grass - and pay £3, which amidst much confusion, ends up being £2....

Inside the Park Stadium the far end is an open, grassy area and there is a small covered standing area on the nearside touchline. The pub (Slow and Easy) end houses the newish changing rooms, refreshment bar and beer tables - a grass mound runs the length of the pitch on the far side. I end up sat on one of the backless benches in the sunshine, trees on three sides, opposite the chemical works peeping above the treetops.

The Grey Lambs are in, er, all blue sponsored by Kitwood House, Warriors in all red, sponsored by DPSI Group, before a crowd of 28 including toddlers plus a dog (the sign ignored !) and Winstanley make the better start, without unduly troubling Martin Blain in the home goal. But Lostock post fair warning with a shot saved at point blank range before on 36 minutes a fabulous through ball from captain Tom Hassall finds winger Jonny Jones who comfortably tucks away across the keeper, and Gralam lead 1-0 at the break. It's an interval that sees one spectator nip out for a Chinese at the nearby Ho King takeaway....

The second period is all about one man - Jonny Jones. Two minutes in a fabulous kick from hand by Blain finds Jones all alone on the right wing and he lobs the onrushing Warriors stopper. Changing wings Jones completes his hat trick on 59 - another exquisite through ball, dummied by the centre forward and a lofted finish makes it 3-0.

Eight minutes later it becomes four as Jones sidesteps Winstanley's custodian and hits home for Jones 4 Warriors 0. Two minutes on he is played in again, but unselfishly squares the ball for Hassall to tap into an empty net. His reward - substitution and loud applause.

The Grey Lambs have a sixth incorrectly ruled out, and Warriors see their hand ball 'goal' disallowed, before their substituted number six is shown a red card for something he said to the linesman. The last action produces a fabulous save from Blain, preserving his clean sheet and a 5-0 home victory - summing up one of those days for Winstanley, but then again the reverse fixture is scheduled for next Saturday....

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.