Archive for category: BFSFA 2006-07

Premier Division Cup Semi Finals – April 15th 2007

Poulton FC v  Quilligans FC

Highbury FC v Red Rose Catering FC

Division 1 Cup Semi Finals – April 15th 2007

Dunes FC v Hydronics FC

Highcross FC v Bloomfield Vets FC

Division 3 Cup Semi Finals – April 1st 2007

Secure Health FC v Wrea Green FC

Cash & Carry Kitchens FC v Ward Heating FC

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Decent weather and good pitch conditions for this morning's Gledhill semi finals.  Both matches consisted of in-form Premier Division sides taking on confident opposition from Division 1.

At Collins Park Red Rose Catering FC were taking on Jim Baker's Bloomfield Vets FC.  Whatever happened this morning reaching the semi-finals of the 40th Gledhill Cup had been a great achievement for the veterans.  The team is rich with ageing talent and full of players who are used to success.  A number of them may have played at the top level but every one of them would be trying their utmost to reach the 40th final of the Gledhill Cup. 

Bloomfield have had another decent season in Division 1.  With five games left to play the side are currently in fourth place and still have every chance of finishing third.  As well as reaching the semi final of the Gledhill Cup they're also through to the last eight of the Division 1 Cup where they'll play the Philharmonic next weekend.  To get this far in the Gledhill they've had to beat some tough sides. 

After a first round bye they overcame talented new boys Secure Health FC 4-3 in round 2.  Next they beat fellow Division 1 side CTK FC 3-1 in round 3 before beating Division 1 strugglers St Annes Ex Service 4-0 in round 4. 

In the last eight they caused one of the shocks of this season's competition when they turned over Premier Division leaders Poulton 4-0 at Boundary Park.  The team would be well up for it this morning.  As I said before the last game the Vets are a very strong physically and have little concern for the reputation of other sides.

This morning's opponents Red Rose Catering FC were covered in their 2-1 Quarter Final win against Wrea Green on February 4th so I won't repeat myself with a review of their excellent season except to say that since that game they've picked up a further seven points from nine in the league which included a 2-2 draw against Quilligans.  A strong finish to the season could see them yet finish in third place.

Everything in place for a fascinating game of football.  This morning's referee was Mark Errington with John McDonald and son Ben assisting him on the sidelines.  A fair sized crowd were in attendance as we got underway a couple of minutes before 11am with the Vets in the dark blue kicking towards Commonedge Road.

Red Rose Catering FC 2006/07

Referee Mark Errington (Centre) flanked by Ben McDonald (Left) and John McDonald.

Bloomfield Vets FC 2006/07

With the wind strengthening from the South West Red Rose started the brighter heading up the hill.  The Vet's keeper Trevor Gray displayed some nervy handling early on and the Vets were guilty of overplaying it.  Red Rose looked threatening on the break.

Keith Johnstone

Dropped it !  Vet's keeper Trevor Gray.

On twenty minutes the Vets created their first real opportunity when Neil Mitchell pounced on a poor goal kick and fire over.  Both keepers were struggling with goalkicks in the wind.

Red Rose fans – bizarre moon boots from North Fylde.

Strong in the air these veterans.

Point proved.

Ex Pool star Andy Gouck

On 34 minutes Bloomfoeld Vets took the lead.  Gouck won a skirmish in midfield but still showed great composure to play a neat through ball for the pacey Tony Whittle to run on to.  The Vet's striker beat the onrushing keeper to the ball and dinked it past him into the net.  0-1.

Goal scorer Tony Whittle.

Bloomfield Vets defend the free kick.

Trevor Gray.

Darren Hall.

Vet's manager Jim Baker.

Neil Mitchell (Right)

Half time score : Red Rose Catering FC 0 – 1 Bloomfield Vets FC

Red Rose start the second half.

The Vets started the second half brightly.  A shout for hand ball in the middle of the park was over-ruled.  Mitchell took the ball on and went close. 

On 54 minutesthe Vets received a thow on the left.  The keeper dropped it under the challenge and in the ensuing melee Mitchell went down.  There was a big shout for a penalty but referee Errington waved it away.

The injured keeper recovers with a drink.

Sweet.  You should be playing mate.  Hopefully, he was either injured or suspended.

Highfield Social without a game this morning.

Some of the Bloomfield contingent.

Red Rose were finally getting to grips with the wind and on 67 minutes they finally produced the equaliser.  A decent pass over the full back played in the quick footed Danny Gillett and his shot across the keeper found the far corner. 1 -1.

Vet's keeper Gray can only watch on as Gillet's shot finds the target.

The chances of going through a Gledhill semi-final without contoversy were slim and it came in abundance in the 67th minute.  Another great through ball found Tony Whittle clean through against the Red Rose keeper.  Once again Whittle won the race but his goalbound effort was handled outside the area by the keeper.  Referee Errington blew his whistle before consulting his assistant John McDonald.

The Vets players and supporters were of the view that a red card should have been produced but referee Errington ruled it accidental and a yellow was the result.

The Red Rose keeper breathes a sigh of relief as he heads back to his area.

An incensed Andy Gouck goes too far with the ref and joins the keeper in the book.

Lee Miles has his five pennyworth.

Back on with the game as the Vets went very close from the resultant free kick.  The cross was headed back across goal and a shot went wide.

Nick Horne (Right)

Darren Hall goes close but the keeper makes himself big.

Well held by the Red Rose keeper under pressure in the closing stages.

Score after 90 minutes – Red Rose Catering FC 1 – 1 Bloomfield Vets FC

Into the first period of extra time and it was as you were with Red Rose kicking towards the road with the wind advantage.  Three minutes in and the Vet's had a major let off.  Gray was beaten by a great effort from outside the box that came back of the angle of the bar and post.  The rebound looked easier to score but the striker smashed it wide.

As  the games finish on Commonedge the crowd is boosted by Gardeners Arms players.

Cramp sets in.

With the last kick of the half the Vets almost scored.  A corner was nodded on and Keith Johnstone with time and space fired it low and wide.

The Vets get the second period of extra time underway.

The Vets go close again.

Both teams were now dead on their feet and it could have gone either way but it was Red Rose Catering who snatched the all important goal.  It had lots of similarities to the first.  A break down the right played in Gillett and he shot with power and precision across the keeper and it went in off the bottom of the far post.  Great finish. 2 – 1.

Brief handbags as emotions boil over.

A couple more yellows.

The final whistle goes and the rival managers shake hands.

As expected with so much at stake this was a close, interesting and hard fought Cup tie from start to finish.  Heartbreaking for the Vets and their supporters to come so far and then fall at the final hurdle.  They had some good chances to increase their tally but it wasn't to be.  They gave it everything they had and deserve a lot of credit for giving a team heading for a third place finish in the Prem a mighty scare.  Whether or not the opposition keeper should have gone is one for debate but the handball certainly denied a goalscoring opportunity.  Unlucky Vets.

Congratulations to Red Rose Catering FC.  They deserve a lot of praise for standing up to the physical presence of the Vets and maintaing their discipline.  They did well to come from a goal behind and in the end two quality strikes from Danny Gillett made the difference.  Red Rose are heading for a memorable season and will no doubt prove stern opposition for Quilligans in the Bloomfield Road showpiece final in May.

Final score : Red Rose Catering FC 2 – 1 Bloomfield Vets FC (AET)

Two goal hero Danny Gillett.

Across the road at Wren Rovers Quilligans FC took on Fleetwood Cricket Club FC of Division 1.  Photo's courtesy of www.quilligansfc.co.uk

Quilligans take the lead.

Wolfie takes his number.

Equalised

Back in front in extra time.

Fleetwood CC man of the match 47 year old Paul Benson who even had the audacity to nutmeg Steve Palmer.  Good luck to both teams in the final

Sportspy 2006/07

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Blackpool Rangers FC may have the Division 2A title all but sewn up but going into March there are still six sides below them that still fancy themselves for a runners up spot that would bring both possible promotion to Division 1 and an evening of celebration at the Layton Institute in May.

Two of those teams met at Commonedge Road this morning in the Quarter Finals of the Division 2 Cup.  West Coast Tackle Postal FC were fourth in the table this morning two points behind this morning's opponents Talbot Sports & Social Club Fc but with a game in hand.  In the 2004/05 season West Coast were relegated from Division 1.  They'd finished in thirteenth a place ahead of bottom club Singleton Village.  Last season they regrouped and had a decent first season in 2A where they eventually finished in sixth position.

After an inconsistent start they've improved as the season's gone on.  In the last eight games they've only been beaten once.  Coming back from 4-1 down against Claremont to draw 4-4 in a recent league game epitomised the recent spirit and commitment that's been shown.  In the Gledhill a first round bye was followed by a tough match against Fleetwood Cricket Club.  After a 3-3 draw they eventually succumbed 6-2 in the replay. 

To reach today's Quarter Final they thrashed Great Eccleston 7-1 in Round 1 and then had to overcome Brannigans Reserves 3-2 away in Round 2.  Daryl Prance's team were in good form and semi-final place today was a distinct possibility.

The last side to beat West Coast were today's opponents Talbot Sports & Social Club FC who won 2-1 in early February.  This was in revenge for a 4-2 league defeat they'd endured at the hands of West Coast on the first Sunday after Christmas.  Last season West Coast had the edge with two exciting 4-3 league wins but Talbot had the last laugh as they finished three points ahead of them in fifth.  Finishing fifth in the table was an excellent achievement as they'd only been promoted from Division 3A the previous season.  Currently, they're third in the table and if he Squirrel do slip up then Tony Dugdale's Talbot look good bets to secure runners up spot. 

In this season's Gledhill they reached Round 2.  In early August they beat Pump & Truncheon Celtic FC in Round 1 before being beaten 3-2 by Inkmasters FC in the next Round.  They've reached the last eight of this competition by getting past Inkmasters in Round 1 before causing a big shock in Round 2 after beating the much fancied Division 2B leaders Progress Properies 2-1 at today's venue.

Out on Pitch 1 this morning which was in a terrible state prior to Christmas but credit where it's due and better late than never the council have worked hard to vastly improve the pitches at Commonedge in recent weeks.  Our official for this morning's game was Dale Harvey and he got us punctually underway with the Talbot in their Red Blue strip kicking off towards the sea.  Very cold and windy with the rain coming in from the South East.

Talbot Sports & Social Club FC 2006/07

West Coast Tackle Postal FC 2006/07.

The Talbot kick off.

Big Thomas Bool (Right) scores goals wherever he goes in the lower Divisions.

The Talbot had the advantage of the worsening wind and on ten minutes good pressure resulted in a corner.  Like most of the goals scored at Commonedge this morning the ball was swung in on the wind by Danny Worth and Matthew Beaumont got on the end of it to open the scoring.  In the above picture West Coast set up for the corner but it wasn't good enough as seen in the picture below. 1-0

Beaumont (Centre) is the first to react as he heads past Jay Irving.

The Commonedge wind destroys its latest umbrella.  Not the first and certainly not the last.

The Talbot though that they'd increased the lead after Roy Whatmough finished well after a good break upfield but the celebrations captured above were cruelly cut short as the referee in conjunction with the liner over-ruled it – Harsh.

There's a long delay at Collins Park as an ambulance is required in the Quilligans v Littleborough Champions league tie.  A Littleborough player unfortunately suffered a broken leg.

Chris Brooke (Left)

Despite being up against the elements West Coast were playing dome very good football on the deck.  The front two were working well and it was of little surprise when the light blues equalised on 32 minutes.  A clever reverse pass from new boy Darren sent Jordan Wylie clean through and he made no mistake in slotting it past Talbot keeper Neil Dugdale. 1-1

Talented keeper Neil Dugdale is beaten for the equaliser.

Steve 'Bobby' Bonser (Left)

Eight minutes later and West Coast were ahead.  The pen and paper were now useless in the rain but I think it was a corner from Wylie that found Bonser unmarked on the edge of the box.  He waited patiently for the ball to drop before unleashing a class volley past Dugdale.  Surely one of the goals of the day by the in-form striker. 1-2.

Mr Harvey shows some minor concern for the injured West Coast player.

Prance guards the post.

Half time score :  Talbot Sports & Social Club FC 1-2 West Coast Tackle Postal FC

Talbot manager and linesman Tony Dugdale.

During the half time team talk Talbot players admitted that they'd 'wasted the wind'.  Still, there was only one goal in it but if there was to be a way back for a place in the last four they had to play well against it as well as staying tight defensively.  After only three minutes of the second period their plans were undone when Ben 'Dutch' Holland headed in a Chris Brooke corner for West Coast.  1-3.

Holland (8) nods it past Dugdale.

Ten minutes later and it was all over.  Dreadful defending in the middle of the park from Talbot left Jordan Wylie clear through on goal.  He tried to take it around Dugdale but he was stopped in his tracks by the keeper.  Referee Harvey deemed it a foul – Penalty.  Few complaints from the Talbot boys and Mr Harvey showed good commonsense in keeping his cards dry.  In the picture below Wylie scores to make it 1-4.

Wylie converts from eight yards.

Loyal West Coast supporters – cold, wet but happy.

There was no way back for Talbot so in an attempt to regain some feeling in my legs I decided to leave them to it and have a walk round.  It was a pity that the weather spoiled this morning's Division 2 Cup Quarter finals but take nothing away from West Coast they played great today, especially against the wind in the first half and more than deserved the victory.  Their run of good form continues.  They'll play Fylde Coast Gates in the semis who beat the Central Club 4-0 on the adjoining pitch.  Talbot still have runners up spot to play for.

Full time score :  Talbot Sports & Social Club FC 1 – 4 West Coast Tackle Postal FC

Brave man !  The Central Club player not happy at being subbed after his side had just gone 2-0 down to Fylde Coast Gates with one of best goals of the day.

Brunswick (Blue) and Fairhaven await the corner in the big 3B clash.  They needn't have bothered as the woeful kick ended up in the ditch.  An important 4-2 win for Brunswick nevertheless.

Sunday football at Commonedge in the wind and rain.  Soaked Brannigans' Reserves manager Guy Gillespie struggles to see the positive side as his team go down 3-1 to Fleetwood Kings.

The corner flag arches in the wind as the Kings player tries to tee up the ball.  Shovels v Saddle (2B) in the background.

Worryingly, the Marshall Court keeper is down for a good few minutes after clashing with a Great Eccleston forward.  Fortunately, he was eventually back on his feet.  Great Eccleston in good form after winning 4-0.  Is that the Marshall manager (Far right) making a rare outing?

Royal FC go close against McKenzies Estates in Division 3B

McKenzies put up a decent performance but it wasn't enough to stop a 2-0 defeat.

Trying to keep warm at all sartorial costs – The Royal liner Mark Kelly attempts to keep out the chill.

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After last week's series of results Hydronics FC guaranteed themselves runners up spot and promotion to the top flight of Fylde Coast Sunday football.  Prior to this morning's games they were fourteen points clear of nearest rivals Fleetwood Cricket Club FC at the top of Division 1.  However, the Cricketers can still achieve 59 points so it's too early to take the collective foot off the pedal if they wish to lift the title.

59 points remained the target before today's games but I expect that to come down in the next few weeks and I'll be surprised if Hydronics don't have the title wrapped up by late March.  After finishing 5th in the 2004/05 season in Division 2B they went on to win it last season as CLS Wyre FC when finishing four points clear of Christ the King FC.  A memorable season was made complete when they also picked up the Division 2 Cup.

From the 18 league games they've played thus far this season only five points have been dropped.  Three points were lost against Fleetwood Cricket Club FC who had a great 4-1 win against them and the other two were lost to Bloomfield Vets FC in a 2-2 draw.  They're still going well in the Division 1 Cup after beating Wyre Villa in Round 1 but in the Gledhill they fell in Round 2 to Premier Division Cahoots FC.  On Wednesday evening they lost in the last minute of the last ever Compere Cup final against Arcadian but John Egan's side showed in that match they look more than capable of doing well in the Premier Division next season.

This morning they were away at leaders Northern Care FC.  The sides were meeting for the first time this season.  Very probably it was possibly for the first time ever.  In 2004/05 playing as the Mortgage Shop FC the team finished six points adrift at the bottom of the Premier Division and were duly relegated.

Another disappointing campaign followed last season when only three points saved them from a second successive relegation.  They managed to escape by finishing in twelfth just above the Central Club and the Squirrel.  This season has seen a marked improvement.  With six games left they've already exceeded last season's point's tally by four points.  They're currently in eighth but in all honesty, and even with a decent finish, perhaps seventh spot is the best they can hope for.

Dave Borrers' men have racked up five wins from the first eighteen games but it's the six draws that have left them in mid table.  A 4-0 win over Bloomfield Vets and a draw against Fleetwood CC have been the highlights of this season along with other good wins against the Dunes and the Philharmonic.  In both domestic cups their interest ended at the first hurdle.  In the Gledhill they went out 2-1 against the Golden Eagle and the Division 1 Cup they were comfortably disposed of 4-0 by Brannigans.

They enjoyed a decent run in the Lancashire Sunday Trophy with two away ties in Wigan.  They firstly beat Golborne Albion 5-2 before going out to Wigan Academicals 3-2.  Northern Care FC have amazingly had four league draws on the bounce but are still to win in 2007 after having last picked up three points on November 26th against the Vets.

Top class conditions for football this morning.  The Squires Gate pitch wasn't played on yesterday and despite the rain of late last week was in good condition.  Flat calm and mild for this morning's match against the leaders.

Referee Martin Rogers was in charge of today's proceedings and at 11am we were punctually underway with Northern Care in their famous blue strip attacking the School Road end.

Northern Care FC 2006/07

Hydronics FC 2006/07

Hydronics FC keeper Craig Littlewood.

Is that legal ?

Northern Care had a good start to the game and this increased their confidence as they enjoyed good spells of possession in the opposition half and a couple of chances.  It was of little surprise when they took the lead on fourteen minutes.  Mark Williams floated over the free kick and Michael 'Elvis' Donohoe spoilt his quiff by heading into the far corner.  1-0.  Live video of the goal can be seen by clicking here.

Very soon afterwards the usually reliabe Jamie Heathcote had a great chance to make it 2-0 but rushed his opportunity when clean through against the keeper.

The Northern Care FC bench.

Chris Matthews shows the large Northern Care Scottish contingent how to do the Highland fling.

Matthews was certainly in no mood for dancing on 26 minutes as Northern Care increased their lead.  This time it was a corner for Mark Williams that was headed on before Phil Charlton pounced on the loose ball to fire it past Littlewood.  2-0.  You can see live video of the second goal by clicking here.

Referee Mr Rogers.  He's still struggling with that 'Vulcan salute'.

Elvis (Left)

Ian Catterill

Jamie Wright (Left) gives Northern keeper Rick Cartmell something to think about.

Phil Charlton.

On 33 minutes we had drama as referee awarded Hydronics a very controversial penalty.  Hydronics had swept up the field leaving Northern very short defensively.  Jamie Wright was left clear with a shot at goal from 12 yards and should have scored but the defender flew across in front of him and blocked it with his chest.  Mr Rogers saw it differently and provoked a passionate response from the Northern players and bench.

Whilst the Northern players confront the official Jamie Wright keeps his composure before scoring from the spot.  2-1.

Half time score :  Northern Care FC 2 – 1 Hydronics FC

John Egan (Centre) reads his team the riot act.

The Northern forward keeps his hands warm whilst we await the return of referee Rogers for the start of the second half.

The second half started as the first ended with lots of attacking play and incident from both sides.  On 54 minutes Hydronics equalised with the best goal of the game.  A throw in from the right fell to Jamie Wright.  The big forward took the ball on a couple of paces and bent an unstoppable right footed shot past the outstretched dive of Cartmell.  2 – 2.

Wright's effort ends up in the back of the net.

Mr Rogers asks the Northern officials to calm things down.

The Northern Care fan stood behind the goal told me he'd never seen his team play so well and with so much commitment.  “Usually, they're just a team of individuals but they're playing like a team today was one of his comments'.  On 67 minutes Northern Care took the lead once again.  Yet another set piece and more poor defending from the Division 1 leaders.  Striking similarities to the second as Phil Charton found himself in the right place once again to force it over the line.  3-2.  You can see live video of the goal by clicking here.

Natty headgear being sported by the Hydronics' followers.

Well held by keeper Cartmell

On seventy-seven minutes and we were level again.  Both sets of defenders will be having nightmares re set-pieces this evening.  This time it was the Northern defence and goalkeeper who failed to react as Chris Matthews towered above them all to power home Ben Hutley's corner.  The keeper should have saved it.  See the goal on live video by clicking here.

Northern Care FC keeper Rick Cartmell.

On 84 minutes Hydronics took the lead for the first time in the match.  Another good move upfield led Hydronics into the Northern box.  The ball broke for Ben Hutley and in the picture below he demonstrated great technique to thrash the ball home.  3-4.

Ben Hutley scores the winner. (Far left)

Emotions boil over on the Northern Care bench/creche.

Red card and an early bath for Referee's favourite Mr. Best

Northern Care FC had a great chance to equalise in the dying seconds when the forward was left with a clear shot on goal.  If he'd hit it in either corner it was in but he fired it straight at the keeper.  Moments later and it was all over.

Northern Care players have a little post match inquest with the referee after the whistle goes.

Final score :  Northern Care FC 3 – 4 Hydronics FC