Archive for category: Football

40th Gledhill Cup – 4th Round – November 12th 2006

Wrea Green or Philharmonic v Arcadian or Gardeners Arms

Red Rose Catering or Royal v Golden Eagle or Bispham Hotel

Quilligans or Autoweld v Kingsfield or Clarence

Bloomfield Vets or CTK v Layton Institute or St Annes Ex Service

Fylde Coast Gates or Highbury v Claremont Cons or Fleetwood CC

Highcross or Brannigans Reserves v Harris & Co or Dunes

Wyre Villa or Cahoots v Inkmasters or Squirrel

Progress Property or Poulton v Little Fat Jacks or Great Eccleston

Music ? Click here – (30 second silent intro – patience)

Since being promoted in runners up position behind St Annes Ex Service FC in the 2003/04 season Poulton FC have equipped themselves very well in the top flight.  After finishing in fifth in 2004/05 they went one better last season to finish in fourth. Currently, along with a couple of others they have the potential to break the Quilligans/Highbury stranglehold on Fylde Sunday football.

However, the facts don't lie.  Since being promoted they've come up against Quilligans FC six times and lost on each occasion.  There's been enough written about the two recent Gledhill Finals which Poulton lost 2-0 and 1-0 respectively but in the league games Poulton have also been on the losing side including two entertaining 4-3 thrillers.  Last season a classy Broadbent finish in the dying moments of extra time broke Poulton hearts.

League titles are not won at this stage of the season, they're won at every stage of the season and this particular Premier Division Sunday will no doubt prove to be of great importance come next May.  Last season's treble winners Quilligans FC were in second place this morning five points behind Poulton with a game in hand so a win, although not vital, was important to manager Mark Spedding.  Last season the keeping of clean sheets was the recipe for ultimate success but early season they've been conceding.  (Seven league goals in five – Shocking). 

Poulton player Carl Spedding has been joined by younger brother Jordan this season to add even extra interest to the tie.

The early morning mist that hung over the Fylde Coast gave the first hint of the onset of Autumn.  It was very slow to clear but by kick off it had finally dissipated to leave it dry but overcast and humid.  Flat calm conditions once again. 

For the second time this season Mr Hornsby was the man in the middle for the featured game.  The game was punctually underway on the compact pitch with Quilligans kicking off.

Dean Fulford.

Quilligans' striker Lee Broadbent gets his first warning for dissent.

Bracewell and Apaloo tussle for the ball.

Steve Palmer catches one around the ear.

Both teams started confidently with some good football on the floor.  Carl Eastwood had the first half chance on three minutes but his shot went harmlessly wide. 

Two minutes later and Devereaux stretched well to get on the end of a long cross and was unlucky to see his chance go narrowly wide. 

On fifteen minutes Quilligans made the breakthrough.  Great play from Devereaux once again as he picked up the ball deep in his own half on the right flank.  He played a great pass up to the forwards.  The Poulton centre halves didn't deal with it and the ball fell kindly for Broadbent.  His power and strength got him the wrong side of the defender allowing him to shield the ball.  He took it on a couple of paces before striking it left footed across Josh Wood in the Poulton goal.  A typical Broadbent finish.  0-1.

Quilligans' liner Crofty misses nothing as his 'eagle eye' watches the line.

Poulton keeper Josh Wood.

Ryan Roberts (Blue)

Mr Hornsby – A calm and collected official.

On 26 minutes Poulton had a great chance to equalise.  Fegan was involved in a good move down the right.  His pass was collected by Apaloo who played a neat 1-2 with Eastwood.  Appy beat his man and fired a shot under Forsyth which bounced back off the post.  The rebound just fizzed wide.  A let off for Quills.

“That was close”

Nick Thompson (Left) and Robbie Boal.

Half time score :  Poulton FC 0 – 1 Quilligans FC

Andy 'Foz' Forsyth back in goals for Quills this morning.

Stuart Armer.

On 55 minutes Sugden went close on the break for Quilligans and four minutes later a Poulton header from a Morris corner just flew past the post.

Wayne Gardiner (Left)

On 67 minutes Quilligans were awarded a free kick.  The cross found the head of Thompson who directed it towards Broadbent.  McKenzie, on for the impressive Devereaux just fired over.

Quilligans were finding the the corners delivered by Morris difficult to deal with and once again Poulton were unlucky not to equalise as Tom Porter's header from Morris' corner had to be hacked off the line.  Click here to see Tom's unlucky effort plus Danny's subsequent booking for a bad tackle from behind.

The Ref finally loses patience with Broadbent – Yellow card.

Phil Thompson – awesome centre half performance.

Another booking, manager Spedding not in agreement.

………………….and neither is Broadbent.

Ryan Roberts was beginning to have a lot more influence for Quilligans and twice in eight minutes he troubled the keeper with long range efforts that just went wide.  On 80 minutes Poulton went close after Fulford pounced on an Apaloo flick but his shot went high over the bar.

Aaron Matthews (Left)

Figo.

On 85 minutes the equaliser finally came for Poulton.  A cross from the left wasn't dealt with and at the far post unmarked substitute Jordan Spedding bent a right footed curler past the outstretched left arm of Forsyth into the far corner.  A finish of high quality.  1 – 1.

Spedding Junior is mobbed.

After the goal there was still five minutes left but Quilligans were still pushing forward.  Firstly, Roberts played in Sugden but he chose the wrong foot and his poor shot went wide. 

With about a minute left plus additional time Poulton conceded a free kick on the left edge of the box.  Sugden took it quickly to Thompson and he rifled it into the back of the net but the kick was taken to quickly for Mr Hornsby.  

Sugden argued the point and was booked.  When the kick was finally taken Sugden this time ran over the ball and Palmer's low drive was deflected past Wood who had no chance in the Poulton goal.  Click HERE to see the late winning free kick.  1 – 2.  Like it or not the Quilligans celebration showed just what an important goal it was to them.

A deflated Porter takes a free-kick.

After a few minutes additional time Mr Hornsby brought the game to a close.

                    Final score : Poulton FC 1 – 2 Quilligans FC

This was a very entertaining game and with so many Saturday players taking part it was no surprise that the football was of a high standard throughout.  In the main it was played hard but fair with very few nasty challenges.

Poulton more than matched their opponents today and enjoyed a greater share of the possession than they have in recent games against Quilligans as well as chances.  Long balls up front proved fruitless as Thompson, one of the best centre halves on the Coast won almost every header.  Saying that, Poulton were very dangerous from long throws and corners which troubled the Quilligans defence.

After two recent 90th minute winners/equalisers it was Poulton's turn to be on the wrong end of one this morning.  It would have been easy for Quilligans to settle for a point but they went looking for the winner and it came albeit with the help of a deflection in the dying stages of the game. 

An important three points for Quilligans as they look to keep in touch with the top of the table.  Both teams played well and there's a long way to go until the end of the season with many twists and turns still to come.

Sportspy 2006/07

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Music ? Click here

The Fairhaven FC are new to the Alliance this season and after something of a recent drought it's good to see them add to the growing contingent of sides from South Fylde.  Prior to the game I knew absolutely nothing about them apart from the fact that they've matured from a five a side outfit and that their sponsor is a decent Pub if ever you're passing apart from its clear obsession with the egg chasing game of Rugby Union and local hero Bill Beaumont – More football pictures on the walls please.  

For a new team they've had a very good start to Sunday morning football.  They've collected seven points from their first four matches with two wins and a draw.  The only defeat came against league leaders Spindles in their inaugural game.  The two wins came against current strugglers Staining CES and Uncle Toms Cabin and they had a good draw against Secure Health FC.  The league table saw the Fairhaven in 8th place this morning.  Today would be a tough test  for them.                                                                               

In the Gledhill they received a first round bye but a tough draw against 3A leaders Autoweld saw them go out in Round 2 after a 3-1 defeat last week.

Ward Heating FC played last season as Phoenix Old Town Hall FC and finished tenth in the basement Division.   They were one of the very few teams that I failed to see in action last season so I made it a point to get out and see them early in this campaign.

Under new sponsor Ward Heating they've got off to a flyer with four straight league wins which considering they won only eight league games throughout the whole of last season is something of a considerable improvement.

They were second in the table on goal difference this morning behind leaders Spindles with a game in hand.  The four victories had come against Staining CES, McKenzies Estates and a double aginst the Windmill FC.  In the Gledhill they were narrowly beaten by 3A side Mythop Leisure 2-1 in the first round.

At last we had first class weather conditions for Sunday football with blue skies, warm sunshine and only a slight breeze which is the best you can ever hope for at Commonedge Road. 

Today's referee was Mr Paul Drinnan (Ex Elswick FC player/manager).  I watched him warm up for this one earlier in the week as he officiated the Under 10's friendly between South Shore Youth and Blackpool Rangers at the same venue.  Let's hope he'd do better this morning. (Humour).

We were underway punctually at 11am with the Fairhaven in the white strip having the advantage of the rare South Easterly breeze.

Ward Heating FC  (Manager Mick Hutchinson far right)

The Fairhaven FC – Manager Darren Openshaw (Crutches)

Heads it is.

I can't do that anymore.

Just wide.

Martin Marlow.

Ward Heating FC keeper John (JD) Sherlock.

Johnny Wild.

A great opportunity for Fairhaven goes begging.

Mr Drinnan.

BFSFA Secretary Peter Collins (Left) watches on.

The first half was on the whole evenly matched with both teams playing some very neat football.  If anything Fairhaven edged it.  On numerous occasions the long ball down the flanks combined with the pace of the strikers resulted in some very good chances to take the lead. 

The best chance however fell to Ward on 43 minutes when a poor back pass let Graeme Hutchinson in on goal but he fluffed the opportunity.  A very entertaining half of football despite the nil nil scoreline.

                            Half time score : The Fairhaven FC 0 – 0 Ward Heating FC

'Kids of the week' – No kids watching the featured game this morning but on the adjoining pitch Marty Shields (Left) was watching dad Chris turn out for his upteenth club in the Alliance (Fylde Coast Gates FC) whilst his young pal Kaylen Lyne was supporting dad Rob on his return for Gates following a broken ankle.

Fairhaven goal keeper Ian Mulligan.

The Ward Heating FC player (Left) sets himself for the throw as he tries his hardest not to be put off by the worrying scenes on the adjoining Fylde Coast Gates touchline.  Apparently it was either some strange club ritual or a disturbing initiation ceremony.  Cut !

Much prettier and far more civilised.

Strange how the slight advantage of the strengthening breeze can make so much difference.  From almost the first minute Ward Heating kicking towards the sea with the breeeze on their backs were in full control.  Only a double save from Mulligan stopped them taking the lead.

On 51 minutes Ward finally went ahead.  From the second of two corners Ryan Lowe fired in the cross.  The ball rebounded to Lowe and this time his precision delivery to the far post found the head of Marlow who made no mistake.  0 – 1.

I know I promised a video of the goal but technical difficulties mean that this will not now be possible.  (I mistakenly taped over it)  What a knob – profuse apologies as it was really good.

After the goal you could see the confidence surging through the Ward players.  The Fairhaven long ball was failing to have any impact resulting in the forwards becoming isolated.  There was no plan B.

On 64 minutes Ward increased the lead.  A long hoof (Expertly placed pass full of vision) from Roger Wignall found the lively but bolshy Hutchinson clean through.  To be honest Mulligan should have come for it but he stayed rooted in his six yard box and paid the penalty. 

He made some great stops in the match but he must take responsibility for the goal.  0 – 2.

Cool as you like.  Ward Heating striker Graeme Hutchinson 'celebrates' scoring the second.

Under the cosh.  Referee Drinnan has to calm down a couple of Fairhaven team-mates who were at each others throats.

The aviation anoraks were appreciative of my Red Arrow picture last week so here's the Air Ambulance as an added bonus.

A great point blank reaction palm over the bar by Mulligan from a diving header.

The killer goal came on 75 minutes but it was no more than Ward Heating FC deserved.  Another break down the right wing resulted in a speculative shot from Martin Marlow that took a deflection past mulligan into the bottom corner.  A fortunate strike for Ward but as Marlow aggressively asserted after the match that his shot was on target hence the goal going down in the record books to him.

It's the end of the game for injured Jonny Wild.

                                                  
                             Final score :  The Fairhaven FC 0 – 3 Ward Heating FC.

A very enjoyable game to watch.  The first half especially was a credit to Division 3B with lots of very good football on the deck with both sides unlucky not to score.  For a new club the Fairhaven are a decent outfit and are simply short of experience in the 11 a side game. 

They were unfortunate not to go into the break with the lead.  A good final pass and a little more composure in front of goal was all that was required.  If they can stay together as a unit when things get tough then they finish in the top half.

A great second half by Ward Heating FC dominated possession and created a hatful of chances.  Five wins out of five in the league will please manager Mick Hutchinson.  An all round good team performance resulting in three good goals and a clean sheet.

If they carry on with this kind of performance then promotion is a distinct possibility.  An easy, enjoyable and well officiated game for referee Drinnan.

Ward Heating FC goalscorers, Martin Marlow (Left) and Graeme Hutchinson.



Sportspy 2006/07

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