Archive for category: BFSFA 2007-08

Congratulations Barney from all your team-mates, friends and foes in Sunday football.  I hope all goes well and one of many positives is that there's absolutely no chance of you sleeping in on a Sunday anymore.

Sundays FC recently pictured at the Stanley Park Oval.  The picture hasn't crossed over well to the internet but the shirts do feature the sponsors name on the chest along with the plagiarised 'Superman' logo.

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The last three seasons have been challenging for the Golden Eagle FC to say the least. They finished eighth in 2004/05 but last season and the one before that they finished in eleventh spot.  Only fourteen league wins from the last seventy two played tells its own story.

Thus far this season Dave Perry's team has only one point on the board from the first eighteen available and at start of play they were bottom of the league just behind newbies Progress Property Management on goal difference.  That solitary point came against Progress in a 3-3 draw back in mid August.

The last two games have pointed towards some improvement.  Layton Institute may have a 100% record and be riding high in second place but the Layton match report gives the impression that they were somewhat fortunate to come away with a 3-2 victory from Eagle a fortnight ago.  Eagle's misfortune continued last week when they lost on penalties to Wigan Premier Division side Hawkley after the game had finished 1-1 in normal time.

They reached Round 3 of the Gledhill after beating Division 2B side St Annes Ex Service 3-1 in Round 2.  As with all of the other Premier and Division 1 sides they received a bye in Round 1.  On a positive note the team have staying power.  Over the last few seasons they've watched on as many 'hopefuls' have come up to the premier Division but whilst the Eagle are still in there fighting many of the so caled hopefuls have faded away.

They're based at the Golden Eagle Pub in Cleveleys and this season they also have a sponsor in the shape of Jet Set Limousines.

The Eagle faced a tricky looking tie this morning against Division 3A side FC Eden.   They're playing together for the first time as a unit and have begun life in the Sunday Alliance in Division 3A.  Under manager Roy Bingham they've put together a squad that includes a number of players with previous Sunday football experience in the higher Divisions.  My tips for the Division 3A title the side have started well taking twelve points from the first fifteen available.  Their only defeat so far in Sunday football came on September 9th against league leaders Autoweld in a 4-3 defeat.  A reminder, if any were needed, that the side won't have things entirely their own way this season.

Eden's run in the Gledhill Cup this season has been impressive.  They've had to put out two fancied teams who've been in good form without conceding a goal.  In the opening Round they knocked out 2A team Little Fat Jacks 2-0 and in Round 2 they beat 3B side the Burlington 1-0.

They were going into this morning's match with confidence looking forward to having a go at a Premier Division outfit. 

The team are sponsored by Blackpool's 'Gentlemen's entertainment' venue the Eden 'Lap dancing' bars.  Here is their website which includes pictures of some of the girls – Eden lapdancing, Blackpool. 

That 'Ginger' looks to be a particularly rude girl.  Let's hope she would turn the tables and be out watchting the lads perform this morning.  (Big limousines and lapdancers – This is beginning to sound more like 'Men and Motors' than Sunday football.)

We could not have had better conditions for this morning's game at the Sports Centre.  A 'good to be alive' English autumnal day that you cannot experience anywhere else on the planet.  Flat calm, blue skies and a decent looking surface. 

Today's man in the middle was Graham Nixon and he got the Gledhill third round tie under way with Eden in the white kicking off defending the ditch end.

FC Eden 2007/08

At 10:40 one of the sides was fully kitted out well into a warm up with the net up.   The other end was completely empty.  It was the 3A side that looked well up for it from the start.  In stark contrast the Eagle struggled to get eleven on the pitch for kick off.  Apparently, an over enthusiastic celebration of a birth had taken priority over the 3rd round of the Gledhill.  Needless to save Mr Perry was far from happy and gave me short shrift when I asked for a team picture.

There were only two minutes on the clock when Kyle Weaver's cross went straight in despite the attempt to head by the striker and defender above. 0-1

We're on our way.

Mr Nixon

Eden's Kyle Weaver (Right)

On nine minutes the Eagle conceded a free kick on the edge of the box.  In the picture below Carl Meakin drives it hard and low past Eagle keeper Newall Barratt to put the 3A side 2-0 up.

 Carl Meakin puts Eden 2-0 up from a free kick.

Barratt under more pressure.

Eden dancer 'Ginger' (She didn't show up)

13 minutes on the clock and a downward Kyle Bingham header at the far post from a Lee Fishwick cross to put Eden even further ahead. 0-3.

Golden Eagle Fc manager Dave Perry with lots to ponder.  The young liner did a fine job in the first half.

A glimmer of hope on 22 minutes as the Eagle pull one back.  Sloppy marking from a set piece allowed a free header past Eden keeper Darren Milroy.  1-3

Any Eagle hopes of a fightback were dashed on 28 minutes when a pass from Weaver found Meakin who scored his second of the match.  1-4.

On the half hour mark it was all over.  Kyle Bingham climbed unopposed from a Meakin corner to smash another head past Barratt. 1-5.

Darren Milroy.

Newall Barratt

'Nearly had it'

Just over the bar as Eden look for another.

Disappointed Eagle supporters.

Kyle Bingham

Just on the stroke of half time Eden made it six as another longshot flashed past Barrat in the picture above. 1-6.

“That's enough for me, I'm off”

Wot……….No players?  Eagle manager Dave Perry has had far better Sunday mornings.

With the score at 6-1 at half time this was a dead game so I decided to move on to Boundary Park.  The eagle may ahve been depleted but take nothing away from Eden they looked really good this morning.  A quiet night in and out early as a unit warming up gave them the advantage.  They were far better from the off and ran out convincing winners.  The game finished at 6-1.  They look good enough to give Quilligans or Northern Care a good game if they play in the same way in Round 4.  Well done FC Eden.

At nearby Boundary Park we had 3A side DB Builders taking on Premier Division side Poulton.  It was a good effort by DB up until the latter stages as Poulton's class and fitness turned 3-2 into 8-2.

“Try it like that, you might do better”, says DB player manager Mark Miles.

Dennis Peters' dog. (Grange Park Labrador)

Mark Miles (Left)

'Offside !' says Poulton manager Alan Cocker.

Sharp haircut for referee Mr James Taylor.

Danny Morris (Resting)

Adam Kennerly

If Layton Institute thought they were in for an easy time then they were much mistaken.  Blackpool Catholic Club of 2A are going very well after being promoted from 3A last season.  They're in the middle of a great run of form and it wasn't much of a surprise when they shocked the Prem side by going 2-0 up.  Layton fought back to 2-2 but a Catholic free kick restored the advantage.  Lack of concentration saw Layton go straight down the other end and equalise – Extra time.  In the first half of additional time Layton went ahead after a Catholic shout for offside was ignored by their own liner.  It looked all over but the Catholics never gave up and brought the scores level,  What a match !  A brilliant efort by Blackpool Catholic Club FC.  The replay takes place next week at the same venue. 

Layton make it 2-2.

Much to the delight of Layton manager 'Braveheart'.

Paige and Jason Ireland out watching dad and brother David play for the Catholics.

Steve Wright (Left)

Mr Wayne Taylor.

Layton go ahead in extra time….could they hang on for victory?

Poulton players hang on to encourage a Catholic equaliser.  They'll take on the eventual winners in Round 4.

The Catholic management team.

An emotional roller coaster for Layton manager Stuart todd this morning.  'I need a drink'.

Finally, there was an important 2A league fixture between Visualise North FC and Little Fat Jacks FC. It should have been played at the Ballam Bowl but an infestation of caravanners (Buy yourself holiday privacy and then spend every weekend with a hundred others in a muddy field) or ugly bikers meant that the game was switched to Boundary Park.  I couldn't take my eyes of this one as it was a fierce and exciting encounter.  The Viz equalised to make it 1-1.  Jack's had two great chances to take all three points but one shot came back off a post and the other flashed inches wide.  1-1 was the final score.

Visualise North FC (Rasberry) make it 1-1.

It's agony for LFJ as a goal bound cross shot bounces back off the inside of the post.

A 'lenient' Mr Parr dishes out a yellow card.

Tim Kinley (Left), worked very hard up front for the Viz.

Safely held……………..just.

Sportspy 2007/08

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I honestly never thought I'd get past the gates of Rossall School, the educational breeding ground for the privileged offspring of local rugby stars and Saudi princes but here I was and the facilities are top class for Sunday morning football.  I could almost smell the homo-eroticism of the dorm as I parked the car outside the Hogwarts of the Fylde.

Local side Pulcinellas FC have secured the venue as their home ground for 2007/08 and opposing teams will look forward to playing here.  Last season Pulcinellas FC, playing as Secure Health FC, made their Alliance debut and loved it.  Although finishing well behind eventual champions Cash & Carry Kitchens and runners up Royal FC third place was a great achievement and it deservedly rewarded them with promotion to Division 2B.

After five games in the higher Division they're sitting proudly in second place three points behind early leaders Saddle FC.  Four league wins and only one defeat against the Bloomfield Hotel have given them twelve points.  Last week's win over previously unbeaten Cash & Carry Kitchens was an important one.

They're also going well in the Gledhill Cup.  Wins over the Squirrel (2A) and Progress Property Management (Premier) in rounds one and two respectively have set up an exciting looking tie against Fleetwood Car Centre in the third round next Sunday. 

Manager Paul Haslam has great hopes for this season and an adventure in the Lancashire Sunday trophy would only help further the experience of some of the younger members in the squad.  The recent acquisition of top Fleetwood striker Ian Vickers is a top signing for this Division as he's a handful for any defender.  Check out the website for Pulcinella's restaurant here.

This morning's opponents were AFC Ashwood from the Lancashire Evening Post Preston Sunday league.  They were second in Division 2 after having exactly the same start as Pulcinellas.  Their four wins had come against AC Muldoons, Worden Rangers, Victoria Reserves and the Station.  Their only defeat, when losing 6-2 against the Victoria Reserves came at home on September 2nd.  They're one point behind leaders Fishwick Rangers.  They play out of Salmesbury at British Aerospace.

They've not done so well in the Cup.  In the Challenge Cup they went out on penalties to Division 1 team Fulwood East End after drawing 2-2.  Last week they disappointingly lost 1-0 at home to fellow Division 2 side Bradley Wanderers in the President's Cup.  The Preston league website is one of the better ones but it gives no details as to how the team went on last season.  Ashley Sleight, with five goals in five looked to be he danger man.

Great conditions on the coast for this morning's match, flat calm with blue skies.  I'd been told the pitch was excellent and so it proved. Paul Tuffy was today's referee and at 11am the game was underway with Pulcinellas in the white defending the Irish sea end.

Pulcinellas FC 2007/08

AFC Ashwood 2007/08

Fascist referees !

FC Ashwood's player manager Peter McKenna.

Ashwood keeper Will Kilpatrick.

Pulcinella's player manager Paul Haslam.

AFC Ashwood had been hit by a couple of injuries and top scorer Sleight was absent.  Disappointingly Ian Vickers was also missing for Pulcinellas.  He had tonsilitus which will at least shut him up for a while.  The opening exchanges were tight and guarded with the home side shading possession.  On eleven minutes a Chris Bond cross was headed just over.

Danny Betmead (Right)

Mr Tuffy

Pulcinella goalie Mike Barkworth outside church on a Sunday morning.

Mathew Haycock

On thirty minutes Pulcinellas took the lead.  Right winger Chris Bond had been causing the Ashwood left back all kinds of problems early on.  Bond's good hold up play resulted in a short pass to Glen Taylor who crossed it into the danger area.  The initial shot by Palfrey was blocked but the ball fell kindly to Dean McGinley on the edge of the box and his first time effort left the keeper rooted to the spot in the picture below.  1-0.

McGinley scores.  The ball is selfishly obscured by the Ashwood No 15.

On 41 minutes we had drama as referee Tuffy spotted an infringement in the box following an Ashwood free-kick.  Mr Tuffy ruled that an Ashwood player had been held down.  In the picture below Lee Heath stepped up to send Barkworth the wrong way.  1-1.

Heath levels the scores.

A great tackle from behind (It looks painful)

Chris Bond retrieves the ball from the bushes.

'Vocal' Cockney Dave Shields in danger of swallowing the ball.

Half time score :  Pulcinellas FC 1 – 1 AFC Ashwood.

I did ask mum to take a turn but she said 'No'……………spoilsport!

Joshua Edwards and Corey Haslam out watching Pulcinellas this morning.

Ian Bryce goes close for Pulcinellas.

If anything the second half was closer than the first.  Although short on clear cut chances there was lots of good passing football on the deck from both sides.  Pulcinellas were again having more possession but they're often too slow in getting the ball into the box.  At the other end the pace and trickery of Heath along with the forward play of Eccles and Haycock were keeping the home defenders busy.  On 61 minutes Haycock turned neatly in the box for Ashwood but fired it well over the Pulcinella crossbar.

Barkworth gets a kick on the ankle.

Adam Sumner

Simon Moran.

Matty Parr

It was absolutely no surprise when Mr Tuffy's whistle brought normal time to a close with both sides deadlocked at 1-1.

Score after 90 minutes.  Pulcinellas FC 1 -1 AFC Ashwood.

Pulcinella's get the first half of extra time under way.

On 100 minutes Pulcinellas made the breakthrough.  A throw on the right wasn't dealt with by Ashwood.  Betmead took it into the box where he was clumsily tripped by Chris Gore (AFC Ashwood club secretary).  Betmead made a meal of it but it was definitely a penalty.

Chris Gore the offender.

Chris Bond sends Kilpatrick the wrong way to make it 2-1 from the spot.

AFC Ashwood captain, 40 year old Russell Marsden.

The Ashwood wall prepares itself.

The ball looks to be heading for the top corner but Kilpatrick moved quickly across to pluck it out of the air.

2-1 down Ashwood start the second half of extra time.

Lee Heath.

Mr Tuffy's whistle signifies a free kick after the Pulcinella's player was bundled over on the edge of the box.

Despite the best efforts of the Ashwood keeper, Dean McGinley's free kick finds the back of the net on 109 minutes.  Surely no way back for Ashwood?  3-1.

This time it's Pulcinella's turn to defend a free kick

Haycock's free kick is athletically tipped over by Barkworth.

Pulcinella's again went close after a poor throw was intercepted by Adam Sumner who's lob bounced back off the upright with the keeper stranded.

Final score after extra time :  Pulcinellas FC 3 – 1 AFC Ashwood

All the pre-match research suggested this would be a close fought encounter and so it proved.  Both teams play in a Division of equal standard, both have the same record after five games and both are in decent form.

A good win then for Pulcinellas and overall their opponents can have few complaints about the outcome.  They enjoyed more possession and looked fitter and stronger in extra time.  The defence was well marshalled by Haslam and Shields and with Bond's creativity on the wing they created enough chances to win the game.  McGinley's two strikes were both very well taken.  Pulcinellas can look forward to another home tie in round 3 against the winners of this morning's match between Intervickers FC and Aspull FC.

A good effort from the visitors. They were somewhat depleted today with manager Pete McKenna having to make a rare appearance.  They were also missing Ashley Sleight but this takes nothing away from Pulcinellas.  Getting your best team to travel in the Lancashire Sunday trophy is a must if you're to progress.

The two centre halves played well but Lee heath was their best player with most of the team's offensive chances going through him.  Haycock and Eccles worked hard up front with little reward.  Whatever happens throughout the rest of the season AFC Ashwood will not look back with fondness on this season's three Cup competitions as they're out of all three at the first attempt before the end of September.  Good luck to AFC Ashwood for the rest of the campaign.  They look good bets for promotion.

Sportspy 2007/08

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