Archive for category: BFSFA 2007-08

Real Kingsfield FC

Waterloo Hotel FC

Probably the longest-running club in The Alliance, Kingsfield certainly have the longest serving manager in the wily Roy Atkinson. They have yo-yoed between the Prem and Division One over the last few seasons but have one of the best home grounds in the league in Stanley Park Oval.Kingsfield finished 8th in Division One last seaosn with 9 wins, 1 draw and 14 defeats, their purple patch coming at the end of November when successive wins over CTK, Dunes and Philly were earned.  For this season Atkinson has added some talent from the lower divisions to his squad, signing Ben Heatley and Lee Watts from Tabot Sports, David Edge from Uncle Toms Cabin and striker Dean Sheard from Little Fat Jacks.Last week they travelled to Common Edge to play Bloomfield Vets, narrowly losing 2-1.

Waterloo Hotel were Brannigans First team last season, finishing 5th under the management of Daz Meehan. Poor results against the teams above them probably prevented promotion but they more than held their own with the others, finishing with 11 wins, 4 draws and 9 defeats.Departed from last season's squad is striker John Emery, now with West Coast Tackle Postal. Moving in the other direction though came Rob Higgins and Dean Chadwick. Other newcomers to the squad include Chris and Neil Truby and Matt Horne from last season's Waterloo side, Neil Charles from Burlington, Paul 'Subby' Sumner from Ansdell and Jimmy Duckworth from Mythop Leisure.With no game last sunday, Waterloo were looking to make a good start to this season especially with new sponsor John Horne, landlord of The Waterloo and former Rugby League professional, in the stands.In the head-to-heads last season honours were shared, each team losing at home to the other.

5 minutes in and Mark Truby's powerful shot finds the net

Within 5 minutes Waterloo had opened their season's account. Midfielder Mark Truby collected a throw in from Mark Lisgo on the left, cut inside and lashed his shot into the top corner from 25 yards. 0-1.

Green's free kick beats the keeper from 40 yards

Kingsfield were lively up front, Cox and Sheard proving quite a test for Waterloo's back four with their movement and physical strength. The main threat though was coming from long-throws and corners with Waterloo tending to enjoy more possession in open play.

Waterloo clear another long throw

Marc Green (left), marking Dean Sheard

Kingsfield Manager Roy Atkinson (centre)

Waterloo's Matt Derby (tangerine)

Top scorer last season Matt Derby opened his account for 2007-08 on 30 minutes. Collecting the ball with his back to goal in the area from Brett Baker's pass he spun, rode a challenge then poked home for 0-3.

Derby takes the plaudits for his goal

Gaz Jakins (centre) gets up well

Kingsfield's Anthony Cox (far left) goes close with a flicked header

Half time – Real Kingsfield 0- 3 Waterloo Hotel

Waterloo Keeper Matt Horne with an impressive debut, even if he does have some unorthodox methods of dealing with opposition forwards

Horne plucks another cross out of the air

5 minutes into the second half Waterloo made it 4-0, debutant forward Dean Chadwick slotting home.

The suspended Martyn Percival of Waterloo Hotel

Kingsfield then decided, at 4-0 down, to start playing. Atkinson threw 3 up front and it didn't take long to pay off as veteran striker Anthony Cox rammed home for 1-4.

The Waterloo back line

Subs were then made, with Waterloo bringing on Sumner and Neil Truby. Kingsfield continued to pile the pressure on and were rewarded again when Dean Sheard netted for 2-4.

Sheard blazes over in the second half

With Kingsfield pushing, Waterloo played on the counter but were frustrated by the offside flag on several occasions.The match was wrapped up though on 85 minutes, a header from Dean Chadwick for his second and Waterloo's 5th of the game.

Full time – Real Kingsfield 2, Waterloo 5.

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In early May it's fair to say that the poor state of the Commonedge Road pitches were in the worst condition that I could ever remember.  Credit to the council, they've spent some money and invested a lot of time in trying to get them back to some kind of normality.  They're still some way from what they were but they're much improved from the end of last season. 

Most pitches have new goal posts with angle brackets and the remaining ones will get theirs soon.  Each pitch has been shortened width wise by about twelve feet in order that the touchlines can recover from the heavy traffic of impatient substitutes, fat linesmen and prowling managers.

The overnight and early morning rain had left the Commonedge fields in a wet condition with some surface water on the opening day.  Seven fixtures were listed for the venue this morning including five new sides making their debut in the Alliance.  Pre-season anticipation saw the players out early this morning and the returning mobile caterers were doing a brisk business.  Overcast, warm, an occasional shower and a strengthening breeze the 2007/08 season was underway.

First up was the Division 1 fixture between Sundays FC and newly promoted Fylde Coast Gates FC (Blue).  A very close game this one with Sundays coming out on top with a 2-1 win.

Sundays FC 2007/08

Wayne Binks

More like mid November than mid August

Gates' manager Brian Carr

Sunday's new signing from Bispham Juniors, Mark Cottam

Out on Pitch 5 we had new boys Waterloo Sports & Social FC taking on fancied Ansdell FC in 3A.  It seems that the Waterloo have some very good junior players in their ranks and will be a force to be reckoned with.  At one stage Ansdell were shell-shocked as they went 5-1 behind but saved some face in an opening day 5-3 defeat.  Good effort Waterloo.

“Come 'ere you”.  Ansdell playing in the blue today.

Ansdell FC keeper Ant Jones, a Police Officer and well used to scraping team-mates off the floor of The Walkabout in the early hours of sunday mornings. Doesn't take kindly to being referred to as 'The Flying Pig'.

Is it me or have they put those brackets up the wrong way round?

Ansdell's new signing Simon Bowden

Referee Mr. Derek Burleigh

Next door on Pitch 4 were new sides the Stable Bar FC (Yellow and green) and Trades & Social Club FC playing in 3B.  The Trades started well in this one and took the lead but Stable soon equalised.  In an entertaining game the Stable Bar FC took the points in a 5-4 victory.

The tough pre-season training regime has worked well.  Stable (?) skipper Dave Pearse with a four goal haul this morning at 37 years of age.

Three points in the bag for the Stable Bar FC.

Across the dyke on Pitch 7 we had Bar 19 FC playing new club Layton Institute Juniors FC (Light blue) in 3B.  Although Bar 19 took the lead two quick goals from the Juniors saw them take three valuable points on the first day of the season with a 2-1 win.

Layton Institute Juniors in the light blue

Looking good !  Earring, necklace, ring and new boots.

Bar 19 FC keeper.

Just wide.

Adjacent to the Bar 19 game out on Pitch 8 was the 3A match between Brun Grove FC (Orange) and new side The Ship, Fleetwood FC.  The Brun were playing a rare home game on Commonedge as Stanley Park was unavailable.  They seemed to enjoy having the mobile caterer close by as two of the team wolfed down a cheeseburger at 10:55.  When the Ship took the lead it looked as though it would be the same old story for the Brun but in the end they took a creditable point in a 3-3 draw following a late equaliser.

More pretty jewellery

Fleetwood player receives a yellow card

Ship supporter Taylor Mitchell warmly wrapped up against the elements.

Brun Grove manager Dennis Beardall

Brun Grove have gone for experience this season, in the shape of one of the Alliances' oldest weekly performers – 50 years young Wai Hon Tsang.

Storm clouds gather.

Paul Drinnan (left) retired from playing a couple of years ago to take up reffing, but the lure of the Brun has dragged him back into active service – a very capable performance today at centre half containing players almost a third his age…

The liner gets a good soaking.

A good morning's work for Brun Grove FC

Division 2A favourites Little Fat Jacks FC were in action against Claremont Cons.  2-0 up at the break they looked to be cruising against a side that finished last season in very poor form.  Claremont came out in the second half and against the breeze quickly pulled it back to 2-2.  LFJ retook the lead with a free kick but late on Claremont showed their mettle with a late equaliser.  3-3 the final score.

This morning's stand-in referee.

Joy as Claremont equalise to make it 3-3.

A happy Claremont manager Greg Kennedy (Far right)

Finally, out on Pitch 1 we had the Bloomfield Vets (Blue) hosting Real Kingsfield FC in Division 1.  It was another close one as the veterans stood firm to take all three points with a 2-1 win.

Kingsfield manager Roy Atkinson.

Vet's striker Neil Mitchell fails in his bid to lob it over the Kingsfield keeper.

Sportspy 2007/08

bfsfa.com/fyldesport

Although the final score was 2-1 to Wren Rovers it was a hard fought local derby. Many observers, including myself, though that Poulton were worthy of a point but it wasn't to be and after two games they're still without a point.  In contrast Wrens have six from six making for the perfect start.  Two clinical one on one finishes from Danny Pickering found the net for Wrens whilst Peter Kane pounced on defensive hesitation for the Poulton goal.  Both teams face tough away fixtures against fancied teams at the weekend.

Photo's published courtesy of Phil Heywood.

Danny Rowe (Wrens – right)

Poulton celebrate the equaliser

Wren Rovers FC manager Mark Senior continues his one way conversation with the official.

Under pressure Paul Cook still finds time to look for the pass.

Poulton's Danny Morris (Blue)