Sportspy Reports - September 7th 2008.

This morning I was hoping to follow Division 2A's Spindles FC to Preston where they were supposed to play Lea FC in the opening round of this season's Lancashire Sunday Trophy but like so many other games it was postponed due the recent incessant rain. Instead it was off to Commonedge Road where twelve sides were in league action. This venue often gets some deserved stick for the windy conditions but it's on days like today that the excellent drainage proves its true worth.

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Yesterday (Saturday) was one of those rare days when there was no football anywhere to be seen across the Fylde Coast. All that was on offer was Andorra v England and to see that you either had to have Setanta or go down the pub. I chose the latter but could only stomach it until half time. If we don't do better on Wednesday against to Croats then we're heading for the play offs (If we're lucky).

Today looked brighter on all fronts. At last it had stopped raining and the wind had dropped. Commonedge Road and Blackpool Road, St Annes had survived the weather so at least we had some live action on offer in this footballing desert of a weekend.

Six games were on offer ranging from the Premier Division through to Division 3B. First up was the Division 3A match between the Stable Bar FC and FC Gretone. The Stable Bar FC had started badly and found themselves bottom at start of play without a point. Opponents FC Gretone, largely new to Sunday football, were top after taking nine points from the first twelve. On paper this was an away win and so it proved but the Stable Bar were much improved on recent performances but in the end FC Gretone stayed top after a 5-2 win.

Stable Bar FC 2008/09

FC Gretone 2008/09

Alliance stalwart Chris Shields, surely a call-up beckons this season to Fyldesport Vets and 'legend' status?

FC Gretone are awared a free kick on the edge of the box.

It's over the wall

……and in off the post as the new kids on the block go 1-0 up.

The Stable Bar keeper palms it away.

In Division 2B sixth placed FC Talbot were hosting third placed Paris Casino FC. A close match this one in the opening period with chances at either end but in the second period the Casino cut loose and ended up with a comfortable 6-0 win to go second.

FC Talbot in the blue and black stripes.

One of FC Talbot's youngest fans – 12 month old Lewis.

Despite less than twelve games surviving the deluge this match was still left without an official referee due to the non appearance of Scott Rimmer. Discipline secretary Dave Hall kindly stepped in to officiate.

FC Talbot keeper Neil Dugdale. Foulds Metals FC personnel lurk ominously in the background.

Hampton Social have been over exposed on this site in recent week's so just a handful of pictures from their Division 3B match against bottom club SPS FC. Another bleak day for new side SPS as they lost 12-2. Hampton sit proudly at the top of Division 3B tonight.

An interested spectator.

Penalty for Hampton – The keeper guesses to his left.

Wrong way I'm afraid.

Pick another one out.

SPS FC keeper Andy Threlfall – perhaps the man with the hardest job at present in Sunday football. Played 6, lost six and conceded 43. It would be lot more if it wasn't for the efforts of Threlfall.

In Division 1 the Shovels FC (Red & White stripes) were hosting Fleetwood Car Centre FC. The Shovels were on top in the opening period and deservedly went in 1-0 up at the break. Shortly after the interval the Car Centre equalised and eventually went on to win 2-1. They're in fourth this evening.

The great gob of Debar.

Referee Mike Mahoney.

Over on Pitch 2 the Oxford FC were away at new side Bar 19 FC. Bar 19 FC were down in eleventh at start of play but played well in a match where the Oxford had to battle to get three points in a 3-2 win. They go second tonight.

Oxford manager Lee Kirton not overly happy with his team's first half performance 0-0.

“Have ya seen that film Spiderman 3? “Great wasn't it? They were perfectly safe as the Oxford were kicking that way in the second 45.

Young Charlie Giles out watching the Oxford.

If you can't wait until 12:45 it's becoming something of a problem.

Bar 19 FC in the red.

Bar 19 FC almost score from the re-start.

The best and worst of Bar 19 was evident in the first sixty seconds of the second half. Straight from the kick off five neat pases took them into the Oxford box but the shot was saved. They then went to sleep as the Oxford went straight down the other end and forced a throw in line with the penalty spot. As the defenders stared blankly at the thrower he flung in a long delivery into the box and the unmarked head of a forward nodded it past the stranded keeper. 0-1.

The Oxford go 1-0 up.

The Red Arrows paint an arrowed heart in the sky over Southport.

Another good ball into the box and 'Number 2' scores the Oxford's second.

Which provoked the 'Orville' celebration.

Finally, we had the first game of the season at the newly refurbished Collins Park. On my travels around the pitches I heard three big shouts. With twenty minutes to go the shouts had been for a goal for either side and a penalty appeal for Northern which wasn't given. Quills had taken the lead through Cook before Steve Gibson had equalised for Care who were still grumbling about the pen on the sidelines. My arrival brought bad luck for the away side as within minutes Scott Sugden's pace took him beyond the defenders on to a long ball. Great chest control followed by an exquisite finish put his side 2-1 ahead. Northern pushed for an equaliser but with minutes remaining another break saw Jordan Spedding dink it over the head of keeper Jamie Cooke to seal the points for Quilligans who top the table tonight.