Archive for category: BFSFA 2008-09

Trades & Social celebrate an early goal

The scorer is overcome with emotion…

'Farquar' of CTK, at least I think that's what his team-mates were shouting

Over at Squires Gate, Excelsior were making easy progress against Frenchman's Cove

Ian Squires

Next door at Wrens, the Highfield keeper can't stop West Coast's John Emery's penalty going in.

Chris Pickering, Highfield's manager – playing the Roberto Carlos role today.

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A glorious morning for today's second round Gledhill Cup tie at the ground of Blackpool Wren Rovers with light winds, blue skies and warm temperatures – a pleasant change from the recent wet weather.

In my pre-season predictions I tipped home side Highfield Social to do well this season in Division 2A but they've got off to a poor start having lost all three of their opening league matches in which they've only managed to score once.  The league table shows them in thirteenth place just ahead of bottom club Inkmasters.  It was Inkmasters that provided the only highlight of the season so far when Highfield beat them 9-1 away in the opening round of this competition.  Highfield and manager Chris Pickering would no doubt be grateful for this diversion from the league programme hoping that they could get their season back on track thanks to another Cup win.

Opponents Real Burlington FC came into the match full of confidence.  They're a new side in the BFSFA for 2008/09 and it's a case of so far so good for Chris Hodgson's men.  They've taken maximum points from their opening two matches and despite only playing twice due to weather etc they're handily placed in sixth place with games in hand on the teams above them.  However, it's still too early to get carried away.  Both of those league wins have come against sides struggling at the wrong end of the table.  This morning's match represented a huge step up in class and a win for the new Division 3B outfit would have represented one of the major shocks of the round.

The pitch was in great condition despite yesterday's 3-1 Cup win by Blackpool Wren Rovers.  Today's referee was Mr Bascombe and his whistle got the Cup tie underway in first class conditions five minutes early with Highfield in the blue defending the changing block end.

Highfield Social FC 2008/09

Real Burlington FC 2008/09

Dunes Hotel landlord Jimmy Drinkwater in goals for Real Burlington.

Matt Hindle shields the ball.

Drinkwater tips it around the post for a corner.

The home side started much the brighter with strikers Hughes and Slater seeing a lot of early ball.  On six minutes Drinkwater was saved by his post as Slater shot rebounded back off the upright.  A minute later and as shown above only a diving save from the Burlies keeper kept them out.  It was no surprise when Highfield finally opened the scoring on nine minutes.  Hughes dribbled the ball into the box at pace, beat a couple of defenders and then took it around the keeper to score a fine individual goal.  1-0.

Steve Hughes (Far right) puts the Social ahead.

Reluctant Highfield keeper Pete Croasdale having to step in for the injured Brooks.

'Big Boothy' towers above his opponent.

Jamie Nay.

Highfield skipper

Matt Raybould.

Steve Hughes.

Mr Bascombe perfectly positioned.

On 24 minutes Highfield increased their lead.  A great run at pace from Robbie Slater took him to the edge of the box, he layed it out wide for Craig who's whipped cross was unfortunately but expertly headed past his own keeper by Burlie's Rick Jones.  2-0.

Jones (Right) scores a wonderful OG past Drinkwater.

The keeper still manages to see the funny side of it.

More poor marking by the Burlie's defence leaves Slater clear at the far post but his volley flew well wide.

Burlington manager Chris Hodgson reflects as his team are under the cosh.

Midway through the half the Burlington at last began to settle down and started playing with a little more confidence.  They created their first real opportunity on 26 minutes when a good effort had to be desperately cleared off the line by the Highfield defence.  Unlucky.

Snowy's down injured after unusually coming off worse in a full blooded 50-50 challenge.

Peter Croasdale.

Highfield Social manager Chris Pickering.

On 36 minutes the Burlington pulled a goal back.  A neat pass sent Ryan Long clear into the box and he calmly slotted it past the onrushing Croasdale with his left foot.  2-1.  Game on.

Ryan Long scores Real Burlington FC's first ever Gledhill Cup goal.

Boothy.

Just say No

On 43 minutes with the half time whistle fast approaching Highfield regained their two goal advantage.  Once again it was Steve Hughes who twisted and turned inside the box before rifling home his second of the match across the keeper and into the net at the far post.  3-1.  Just before the whistle the Burlington almost scored a second when Mark Webster's snapshot from six yards flashed across Croasdale's net but wide of the far post.

Steve Hughes (Far right) makes no mistake from six yards as he scores his second and Highfield's third.

Foul ref !  Not given.

Half time score :  Highfield Social FC 3 – 1 Real Burlington FC

A much needed half time drink.

John Blow.

Steve Baines (Cap) in the background.  After celebrating his 40th last night he wasn't available for selection.

The attempted block did enough to force the Burlie's player to hit it high over the bar.

Great tackle.

Well gathered.

Real Burlington FC keeper Jimmy Drinkwater.

Good conditions at last.

Steve Hughes in full flight.

Headed off the line as the Highfield threaten from a corner.

The first thirty minutes of the second half were pretty awful as it appeared the warm weather was having a debilitating effect on the players resulting in some turgid football.  It looked as though it was heading for a 3-1 win but on 76 minutes the Burlington were right back in it.  Jamie Nay took the ball into the box, moved the ball on to his right foot, created some space and hammered it low and hard into the far corner past Croasdale.  3-2.

The aftermath of Jamie Nay's goal.

Unfortunately for Burlington Highfield made it 4-2 almost from the re-start.  Steve Hughes broke clear and looked dead certain to score his hat-trick but his shot rebounded back off the post leaving Slater the simplest of tasks to knock it home from two feet.  4-2.

The 3B outfit showed great spirit and as they quickly shrugged off the setback of Highfield's speedy response and scored again on 80 minutes this time through Mikey Nay in the above picture.

Burlington with little to lose pushed bodies forward in search of an equaliser.  They had a great chance to equalise as an unmarked player got on the end of a great cross but he headed agonisingly wide with the goal at his mercy.

Croasdale's praying but the Burlie's player heads it wide (He'll have restless night after that miss).  Highfield wasted a few minutes by the corner flags but hung on for a hard fought win.

Final score:  Highfield Social FC 4 – 3 Real Burlington FC

In summary this was a decent Cup tie played in a great spirit.  An easy game for Mr Bascombe who had little use for his whistle thanks to an absence of free kicks.  Highfield made hard work of this morning's win but did enough to go through to Round 3 where Premier Division outfit the Crescent FC await them.  They missed the guile of Chettle today but scored three decent goals.  Hopefully, that win will see a change of early season fortune in the league.

A great effort today from Real Burlington.  Every credit to the 3B outfit for making a great fist of it.  They certainly had their opponents worried in the final ten minutes.  They have good defenders who unsurprisingly are still yet to gel together. They like to play a high line but the pace of Slater unsettled them and on occasion they lose collective concentration leaving players in acres of space.  The forwards played well displaying some deadly finishing in the box.  On this performance they'll only get better and I wouldn't be surprised to see them finish in the top six come next April.  Booth, Blow and Jamie Nay all caught the eye.

Our good friends at kit and equipment suppliers Teamsport90 have kindly given us 50 footballs to give away as well as some high quality trophies enabling me to present the worthy candidate with a Teamsport90/Sportspy Man of the match.  Today's choice was Highfield Social FC striker Steve Hughes who with two goals and an assist was the main difference between the sides.  He terrorised the Burlie's defence throughout showing good vision, skill, composure and great finishing.

The inaugural winner of the 'Sporty' as well as a decent football the Teamsport90 Man of the match – Steve Hughes.

Sportspy 2008/09

bfsfa.com/fyldesport

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On Sunday February 11th 2007 Quilligans FC were beaten 2-1 at home by Arcadian FC in the league.  That match represented Quilligans FC's last league defeat and prior to kick off the champions had put together an impressive unbeaten run of thirty league games.

They opened this season's campaign with a comfortable 10-0 away win against the Crescent.  Next up were another newly promoted side in the shape of Blackpool Rangers.  This match proved a far sterner test as both managers came away honestly believing that they narrowly deserved to win.  In the end the final score was 2-1 to Quilligans.  Most teams newly promoted to the Prem are just hopeful that they don't get beat by too many by Quills but Ranger's bitter disappointment at defeat showed that they haven't come up to the top Division simply to make up the numbers.  Quills recent, and correct re-instatement to this season's Lancashire Sunday Trophy represents good news for the both the BFSFA and the credibility of the competition.

Today's opponents were yet another newly promoted side – Pulcinellas FC who won Division 2B last season.  Over the latter stages of last season and during the summer they'd managed to capture the signings of a number of players from the now defunct Highbury FC.  They announced their intentions with an emphatic 5-2 win over much fancied Northern Care FC.  That match, their first of the season, was played a fortnight ago so they were raring to follow it up with a game against the title holders on their impressive home pitch at Rossall.

Since returning from holiday the weather has been appalling for August but over the weekend the wind had dropped and the temperatures had risen although the ever-present blanket of cloud continued to keep out blue skies.  The result was almost perfect conditions for football at one of the best venues and on one of the best surfaces along the coast.  Sandy Gear was the man in charge and at 11am the game was underway in the shadows of this esteemed seat of learning. 

Pulcinellas FC 2008/09

Quilligans FC 2008/09

Respective captains Robbie Boal and Anthony Reeves alongside referee Sandy Gear.

Quills in the white kick off defending the sea end.  Quills' manager Mark Spedding keeps tabs on the referee's time-keeping.

Jimmy Hone.

In the opening minute Quills almost opened the scoring through Lee Conway.  Hone was absent at left back as Conway raced clear but from the angle his shot flashed wide of the far post.

A Danny Rowe effort has Pulcinella's keeper Daniel Hogg scrambling across his six yard box.

A decent opportunity for the home side as a near post header had to be well watched by keeper Tony Clowes.

This was an entertaining game straight from the off.  Quills had some good early forward possession and created a couple of back to back corners.  Devereaux's wing play on the left was creating chances as was Conway's on the right.  Danny Rowe appeared to be playing the lone striker role.  At the other end the two nippy forwards Parr and Sumner were getting behind the defenders and Chris Bond was producing decent crosses from the right.

Kevan Ford is unlucky not to get a toe to the cross.

Referee Sandy Gear.

Danny Betmead.

As the half went on Pulcinellas began to dominate possession.  Quilligans' breaks upfield grew sparce and at times Rowe was left isolated.  Jimmy Hone and Adam Sumner swapped positions at left wing and left back respectively and Stuart Parkinson's runs from midfield were not being tracked.  Pulcinellas had the best first half opportunity when the ball broke to Matty Parr in the box but his rushed shot from ten yards went tamely wide.

Pulcinella's skipper Anthony Reeves.

Ex team mates Steven Brooks (Left) and Stuart Parkinson having a good tussle.

Frank Cygal.

Nick Devereaux (Left)

Robbie Boal stands his ground as his opponent takes off.

Matthew Parr.

Pulcinella's free kick but the wall did its job.

Sam Gorrie.

The Pulcinella's captain is booked for dissent.

Half time score: Pulcinellas FC 0 – 0 Quilligans FC

One of Mark Spedding's more vocal half time team talks.

Pulcinella's supporters take shelter from the light rain.  Sexy Wellies and Golden Balls.

Injured Stuart Bracewell (More Golden Balls).  “Let me get this straight.  You're asking me (ME!) to run the line in the second half?”

The home side started the second very positively and full of confidence as they smelled a famous victory.  However, it was Quilligans who created the first clear cut opportunity of the second half as Conway's trickery out on the right led to a great cross for Devereaux but as shown in the above picture he couldn't keep it down as the ball flew over Hogg's bar.

You won't find this signal to the referee in many coaching manuals.

Minutes later there was a big shout from the sidelines as the Quilligans' contingent claimed that a low shot into the box had been blocked by the arm of a desperate defender.  Referee Gear controversially waved 'play on'.  On 57 minutes Pulcinellas took the lead.  Brilliant wing play from Stuart Parkinson had the Quilligan's defence at sixes and sevens.  Eventually he laid it off for Jummy Hone who swung a curling high cross into the box.  The ball was allowed to bounce and in the above picture looked to hit the arm of Gorrie resulting in more shouts for a penalty.  It wasn't given but no matter as Danny Betmead was the first to meet the rising ball and his header looped over Clowes and into the far corner.  1-0.

Betmead puts Pulcinellas FC 1-0 up.

Reeves comes off worse after an accidental 50/50 clash with Gorrie resulting in a three minute hold up for treatment.

Danny Rowe.

John Simmons.

Young Pulcinellas fan.

As the minutes ticked by Quilligans were clearly not going to give up that long unbeaten record easily.  They went more offensively but resolute defending snuffed out most of their offensive possession well before the danger area.  In addition, big gaps were starting to appear at the back as they were left short. 

In the absence of a full back Tony Clowes was stretched to the max in order to keep out a rasping drive following a quick Pulcinella's break.

Minutes later and the pace of Parkinson left Clowes stranded wide outside the box and the resultant cross come shot was almost converted by Parr.

Well caught by Clowes.

Robbie Boal not having it all his own way today in the middle of the park.

Quilligans kept pushing forward and it was only natural that the home side started to drop deeper as the final whistle approached.  My watched ticked on to 90 minutes as the elusive equaliser finally came.  Substitute Paul Cook cut inside and hit a fierce shot from the edge of the box.  It hit the midrift of Dean McGinlay and the subsequent wicked deflection left keeper Hogg flat footed and he could only watch as the ball went past him 1-1.

Collective relief.

Robbie Boal has another 'captain's chat' with the Ref.

Due to the time taken to treat Reeves' injury there was three or four minutes of added time.  Both sides went looking for a winner and Pulcinellas went close from a late free kick but in the end both teams were pleased to hear Mr Gear's final whistle.

A great late chance for Pulcinellas but the whistle had already gone for a push.

Final score:  Pulcinellas FC 1 – 1 Quilligans FC

In summary this was a highly entertaining ninety minutes of football for the spectators.  Pulcinellas did enough to take all three points having by far the greater share of offensive possession.  Matty Parr worked hard up front and his pace and skill on the ball troubled the experienced Quilligan's defenders.  Jimmy Hone on the left combined with the free role of the classy Stuart Parkinson did most of the damage.  At the back captain Reeves was impressive throughout.  It was a great team performance and after their two opening fixtures they should hold no fears of life in the top Division.

As for Quilligans they're down to the bare bones on the striker front.  However, they still have a quality defence and midfield.  The early threats of wingers Conway and Devereaux lessened as the match went on as they were called upon for more defensive duties leaving striker Danny Rowe to try and keep the ball up at the right end of the pitch on his own.  Even though they were not at the races today they deserve credit for chasing the game right up until the final whistle and in the end they gained a valuable point albeit from a rather fortuitous deflection.  My man of the match was Pulcinellas' Stuart Parkinson.  Great to watch as he almost always comes up with quality end product.

When the dust settles the champions are unbeaten in second with that unbeaten league run now stretched to 31.  Next up Northern Care.  Looks like this season will be a little more testing for Quills and about time too.

Sportspy 2008/09

bfsfa.com/fyldesport