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Last season AFC Additions finished fourth in Division 2B and as a result of the Divisional restructuring they were moved across to Division 2A. The move has seen them face a whole host of new teams at different venues. So far so good as the team have had a great 2008/09 season. Going into March they're favourites to take the 2A title. Currently they sit just one point behind leaders FC Eden but they have an all important game in hand. The race for the title with Eden is a close one. The form table on the Fyldesport sister site shows both sides having taken maximum points from the last six league games. However, both of the main contenders are still to face each other and surely it will be these two important league games that will decide the destiny of the Division 2A Championship. In the Gledhill Cup manager Graham Quinn's men received a bye in Round 1, hammered Bispham Juniors in Round 2 but narrowly lost to Premier Division outfit Blackpool Rangers in Round 3. They've reached the last eight of this particular competition by whipping Great Eccleston 5-0 in the opening round and by beating Frenchman's Cove 4-1 in Round 2. A win today would shorten their odds considerably on pulling off the double.
Today's opponents in the last eight were Spindles FC who were last season's Division 3B Champions on goal difference ahead of Burlington FC. They had a top start to life in the higher Division but a creditable run in this season's Lancashire Sunday Trophy has set them back in the league programme. Approaching mid March they've still only managed to get ten matches under their belts so they're in for a busy finish. At present the team are in eighth place but after having already drawn three and lost three their chances of a top five finish are now unlikely. Manager Matt Clarke has a good squad (When they're available) but as I've said not playing regularly due to poor weather and unfit pitches appears to have knocked them off their rhythm. In the first round of the Gledhill they pulled off a big result when knocking MA2 FC out 4-2. In Round 2 they thrashed FC Newton 5-0 but in Round 3, and despite being at the top of their form, they were narrowly beaten by holders Quilligans FC 2-1. Spindles FC reached today's quarter final by beating fellow 2A side Waterloo Sports & Social 3-2 in the opening round and by beating Squirrel 3-2 in Round 2.
All set then for a very entertaining Cup tie with both sides well capable of reaching the semi-final. The Fylde Coast witnessed a temporary return to winter this morning with the strong westerly gale making it uncomfortable for players and supporters alike. Still, it was again dry with sunny spells. Today's official was Stuart Berry and at 11am AFC Additions in their light blue strip kicked off.
AFC Additions 2008/09.
Spindles FC 2008/09.
The respective captains with Mr Berry.
Adam Pretty.
Additions get the game underway.
Additions' manager Graham Quinn.
Alan Perkes.
Scott Park (Right)
Scott Bradford (Right).
Spindles' manager Matt Clarke.
Additions keeper Dave. Ex Fleetwood FC and he told me that he won this trophy 20 years ago with the Broadway.
Spindles were depleted this morning disappointedly only raising the bare eleven due to 'no shows' and a number of 'Cup tied' personnel. It showed early doors as Additions were breaking freely. On fourteen minutes they took the lead. A long ball found Alan perkes onside and he cut inside and bent a low drive into the far corner. Good finish. 1-0.
The home side celebrate scoring the opener.
The Da Vinci code.
Adam Pretty – Never off the sunbeds but looking 'Tantastic' on a cold March morning.
Spindles' keeper Andy.
Young Perkes wasn't winning many headers.
'Coming away with the ball.'
Unlike at Commonedge the pitches at Broadwater were not facing directly into the wind which therefore gave neither side no real advantage. However, it played a part in Addition's second goal. A swirling high ball was played into the box. It has to be said that the Splindles defence was hesitant and all at sea. The ball was allowed to bounce and in the picture below Perkes still managed to control the ball, hold off the keeper, turn and shoot home for his second whilst the defenders just stood and admired it. 2-0.
Alan Perkes seconds away from scoring goal number two.
Simon Beavers leaps highest for the ball.
Mo puts the pressure on Bradford.
Stuart Berry.
Mo.
More body art.
On 32 minutes the game was all over as a contest as Alan Perkes scored his hat-trick. Poor marking once again left the prolific marksman unmarked and he swept the ball into the net from a corner. 3-0.
Perkes (Out of picture left) scores his third to put additions 3-0 up.
Game over.
The ref listens patiently before dishing out the yellow card.
Half time score : AFC Additions 3 – 0 Spindles FC.
A half to forget for the Spindles' boys.
Park gets the second half underway for Spindles.
Not many WAGS out this morning.
Spindles go close from the corner.
Paul Perkes.
The second half was one of the worst I've seen all season and although Spindles tried their damndest to get back into the match they just couldn't find a way through. On 75 minutes a throughball found Perkes. He looked well offside but the flag stayed down. He took the ball on and clinically finished to make it 4-0.
Perkes scores his fourth of the match. 4-0.
Late in the game Spindles grab a late consolation through Matt Howard. 1-4.
The whistle goes and AFC Additions are through.
Final score : AFC Additions 4 – 1 Spindles FC.
This turned out to be a disappointing game for the neutral as after thirty minutes it was all but over as the home side raced into a deserved 3-0 lead. Credit to the eleven Spindles' men who turned out this morning but they struggled to get into the game. Manager Clarke was frustrated as he had seventeen confirmed in midweek but for whatever reason a number went missing this morning finding something more important to do than playing for a Divisional Cup semi-final place. Today's Spindles were a shadow of the side that gave Quilligans a run for their money earlier in the season. An excellent performance from Scott Park who ran his socks off and another good effort from Mo and Matt Howard who also never gave up.
I like AFC Additions, they've been together as a squad for a good number of years and this season it looks as though they'll finally get some honours. They have no superstars but they have an excellent attitude and work rate. The team spirit is clear to see and if you're from FC Eden reading this you're going have to work hard over the next couple of Sundays in the two league fixtures against them if you're going to take the title.
AFC Additions will now face Fleetwood Cricket Club FC in a fierce local derby for a place in the final. Alan Perkes always does well in front of the Fyldesport camera and today was no different as he bagged another four goals this morning. Simon Beavers is a big player for them in midfield. I was ten miles down the promenade before realising I'd left the prize football and Man of the match Trophy at home but if I had remembered it then it would have gone to Scott Bradford for his work ethic. He's a good foil for Perkes who's pace and hard running will always create chances for his strike partner. The Teamsport90 Man of the match goes to Scott Bradford.
Sportspy 2008/09
bfsfa.com/fyldesport
