Archive for category: Football

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After their fantastic 1-0 win over McDonald Property FC in midweek Harris & Co opened up a six point gap at the top of the table.  That win in midweek took Harris' unbeaten run to twelve games in all competitions.  An excellent run of form that has also taken them to the final of the Division 1 Cup leaving them unbeaten in 2005.  Today, they had yet another tough looking fixture against the Reform Health Club.  Last Wednesday I watched Reform comfortably despatch a depleted Highlands team 4-0.  Reform were in eighth at start of play, probably their highest league position so far.  They've been playing well in recent games and are clearly trying to finish as high up the table as possible. 

These two teams met on the opening day of the season up at Broadwaters.  After an impressive pre-season it proved to be a dramatic Division 1 'wake up call' for Dean Whitehouse and his team as they were beaten 5-2.  Could they take revenge today and end Harris' great run ?

Harris & Co FC

Harris & Co go close

Before moving on the score was deadlocked at 0-0 after twenty minutes with no clear cut chances for either side.  Harris & Co went on to win the game 2-0.  Favourable results in midweek in the McDonald and Argosy games could see Harris travelling to Singleton next Sunday needing three points for the title.

Across the road at Blackpool Mechanics Fluid Edge were entertaining the Philharmonic.  After last week's defeat to Reform Fluid returned to winning ways in midweek with a narrow win away at Singleton Village.  Fluid were in third place this morning whilst the Philharmonic were in tenth.  Back in late August Fluid won away 4-1.  The Philharmonic have been in fine form recently and in midweek thumped in-form Squirrel 5-1 on Boundary Park.  With games running out Fluid really needed a win today if they were to finish runners up, especially with a game against McDonald Property to look forward to on Wednesday evening.

The referee sorts out the threatening presence of the Fluid Centre half Martin 'Per' Percival

Percival outpaces Philly goalscorer Glen Worden

Ten minutes into the second half the Philharmonic were still leading 1-0 through a first half effort from Glen Worden.  Not much early goal mouth action in this one.  Both sets of players were struggling to contend with the bumpy sandy surface.  The Philharmonic went on to win the match 2-1.  They still have some important games against other top sides in the table and could have yet more say in the ultimate destiny of the Division 1 title.  Next season they'll be looking to be up there themselves.

One point from the last four league games had seen long time leaders the Sanctuary drop down to fourth place.  Today, they were at home to the Squirrel, a team they'd beaten 3-0 earlier in the season.  Promotion to the Prem was still a distinct possibility for Sanctuary but today's game was a 'must win' fixture.

Squirrel stalwart Paul Savage (in white)

The Sanctuary looked to have regained some form today as they ended up winning 5-1.  Can skipper Jordan Black (above) spur them on to produce a strong finish to the season ?

Little Fat Jacks and Real Cahoots have been at the top of Division 3A all season.  This morning they were locked together on 53 points with Jack's having three games in hand.  Both sides had games on Commonedge today.  Jacks were at home to lowly Mariners Bar who'd given them something of a scare earlier in the season when only losing to them 3-2.  Cahoots had the more difficult fixture against Athletico Plough who'd beaten them 1-0 in the reverse fixture.  A win for both was vital today in anticipation of next Sunday's potential title showdown between the pair on Commonedge.

Little Fat Jacks (Green shirts) against the Mariners Bar

Mariner's Ricky Roper (centre), a recent acquisition from D&T Waste.

The Little Fat Jacks players celebrate going 5-0 up.  They went on to win 7-0 guaranteeing themselves at least runners up spot.

I didn't get to see much of the Cahoot's game today but they were struggling early doors and went 1-0 behind.  However, they came good in the second half and in the above picture they celebrate going 3 -1 up through Craig Byrom.  The three points also mean that Cahoots can now finish no lower than second.

A rare trip to Commonedge Road this season for Division 2B's Red Rose Catering.  Last Wednesday night they went to Preesall and came away with a very important 2-0 win against Wyre Villa.  They face the same team on Wednesday evening at Boundary Park in a potential title showdown but today they were up against Fylde Coast Gates.  In the end they ran out 3-0 winners in a competitive match and now must surely be strong favourites to win one of the most difficult Divisions this season.

That's where the Bay Horse kit went to.

Supporter falls asleep in background.

 At the top of 2A Bloomfield Vets have been struggling recently mainly due to suspensions.  Last week's 5-1 defeat to Chequers was a very bad result.  They had eleven out today against Sands FC who are not having the best of seasons due to losing key players like Cook and Newton.  Sands are always good opposition and at half time the score was 0-0.  In the reverse fixture the Vets had come out on top 4-2.  Well into the second half the Vets took the lead through a scrappy goal that just sneaked in over the line and that's how it ended.  With the Dunes losing today there's still everything to play for at the top of 2A. 

Sands FC's Darren Clarke

 
What helicopter , where ?

Sands' Neil 'Hen' Ryecroft (Yellow) keeps his eye on the big fella – the infamous Jimmy Baker.

Last but by no means least Supreme FC took on Fluid Edge Reserves in front of the Granada Soccer Night cameras.  We'll let you know when it's on the telly.  Fluid Reserves had won the first fixture 4-1 earlier in the season.  At half time I bumped into referee Mr Dalton who told me it had been a largely uneventful first 45 minutes with only one goal in it.  Things certainly livened up in the second half as Fluid Edge Reserves finally strolled to a 6-2 victory

The cameras film the Fluid half time team talk

And the pitchside camera captures the action.

Sportspy 2004/05

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This morning the Premier Division table showed the Golden Eagle in seventh position one point ahead of today's opponents, Bispham Juniors, who have a game in hand.  With only a few league games left to play either side can now finish no higher than sixth.

Bispham have enjoyed a good first season in the Prem impressing a lot of people with their organisation and discipline.  They've been at their best against the top clubs beating last season's Champions Wyre Waste FC before they folded and most recently ending Quilligans long unbeaten run with a brilliant 1-0 win.   Golden Eagle have had another inconsistent season only managing to win two league games in succession on one occasion.

In the two league games the points have been shared.   Back in November Bispham beat Golden Eagle 4-2 but earlier this month the Eagle took revenge with a 4-0 win.  To reach today's semi-final Golden Eagle had beaten the Clarence 4-3 in the quarter-finals after a 1st Round bye and Bispham, who also received a bye in Round 1, had beaten lowly Kingsfield 3-0.

With the other semi-final being conceded by the Bloomfield WMC the winners of today's game could look forward to a final against strong favourites for the league title, Fleetwood Town FC.

Despite the clocks going forward referee Dave Wolfenden (Pictured above) got the game underway five minutes early with the Eagle, in the dark shirts, kicking towards the Argosy.  It didn't look as though the loss of an hour's sleep suited the Eagle player very much !

Bispham manager Gary Briggs helps get one of his injured players back on his feet.

Bispham striker David Dean (Front), this season sporting a blonde hair-dye to disguise his once-ginger locks.

The first can of the day ?  This Golden Eagle supporter sporting the correct headgear in the light rain.

For the opening 35 minutes the good turn out of supporters from both teams had little to shout about.  The football was decent enough but each side appeared cagey with no real clear cut chances to speak of but then the match came alive on 36 minutes.  The Bispham defence failed to clear the ball in the far corner and the half clearance fell to Sean Lomax on the edge of the box.  He controlled it, knocked it past a defender and unleashed a powerful drive into the top left hand corner.  It was in as soon as it left his boot, the BJ keeper hardly moved as it whistled past him.

The Golden Eagle players congratulate Lomax after his fine strike put them 1-0 up.

Unfortunately, as so often happens, they were still celebrating when Bispham equalised less than a minute later.  A bursting run down the right flank from the tireless Dean took him to the bye-line, he loooked up then squared a low drive towards the edge of the six yard box for his strike partner Mark Cottam who made no mistake from close range.

In the dying momemts of the half Bispham had a geat chance to take the lead.  The player beating the off-side trap but his lob over the keeper also dropped over the bar when he perhaps should have scored.

Half Time Score :  Bispham Juniors 1 – 1 Golden Eagle

Bispham started the second half full of purpose and on fifty minutes they were awarded a penalty.  An Eagle defender committed himself too early allowing the ball to reach Dean on the flank.  With the Eagle defender grounded Dean took the ball towards the edge of the area where he was clearly tripped.  Referee Wolfenden took his time and consulted linesman Dave Taylor before pointing to the spot.  It was definitely a foul as Dean had no reason to go down it was just a question of whether it was inside the area or not.  Dave Taylor decided that it was and that was that.

Mark Cottam (Far left) wheels away in celebration after scoring confidently from the spot.

Taylor's contoversial decision didn't make him overly popular with the Eagle players and one of them went too far in his criticism resulting in a rebuke from the officials.

The next fifteen minutes were the most crucial part of the game for me.  The Golden Eagle were rocked by the penalty decision and Bispham looked sure favourites to score more and progress through to the final but they just couldn't get the importand third goal.  Manager Briggs seemed to realise this and appeared to be growing more frustrated as his side continued to fail to capitalise on their majority share of the possession.  Golden Eagle manager Dave Perry looked even worse as he went on an angry circuit of the pitch trying to regain his composure after the penalty decision

Then the turning point came.  With Golden Eagle still struggling to get back into the game Bispham conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position just outside the area.

In the above picture the Eagle player fires in the free-kick.  The shot rebounded kindly to Mark Frankel who thumped home the equaliser. 

“It's in !”  The Bispham keeper is still prone as the Eagle players celebrate making the score 2-2.

Five minutes later and we had the second controversial penalty decision.  A Bispham defender was adjudged by Wolfenden to have pushed Dave Blundell around the corner of the box.  Again the referee consulted his linesman and with every Eagle player screaming for a pen and every Bispham player screaming for a free-kick the young linesman didn't hesitate in letting the Ref know that he thought the infringement took place inside and once again Mr Wolfenden pointed to the spot.

Sean Lomax scores from the spot for Golden Eagle to make
it 3-2

Golden Eagle's two goal hero – Sean Lomax

Despite the best efforts of Bispham the Golden Eagle saw out the rest of the game with stout defensive resolution and went through to the final winning 3-2.  Every credit to the Golden Eagle for sticking to it when going down 2-1 early in the second half due to that contoversial penalty.  They looked dead and buried to me at one stage as Bispham pushed forward for a third but a one goal lead in the Sunday Alliance is often never enough and so it proved today.  Bispham should have killed their opponents off but can can count themselves unlucky after today's result.  The penalty decision for the all important third was very touch and go.  Mr Wolfenden must have been pleased to have two 'proper' linesman to help him out today as it would have been a lot more contoversial if the decisions had been given by club officials.  It would have also helped if the pitch was properly lined and the grass cut.

Good luck to Dave Perry and his Golden Eagle team in the the final.

Final Score :  Bispham Juniors 2 – 3 Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle will be wanting some target practice perhaps before the final?

                  Sportspy 2004/05

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Skye FC sporting the Real Madrid kit this week.

The Steamer FC apply some early pressure.

The Skye forward takes a relaxed attitude to the game.

The Steamer started sloppily and were quickly 1-0 down.  Things went from bad to worse when one of their players was sent off by Miss Halpin for foul play.  However, this seemed to inspire the Fleetwood team and on thirty seven minutes they equalised.

Skye FC celebrate going 1-0 up.

The Skye FC 'Ninja' keeper looks to keep the Steamer forwards at bay.

Well, that's one way of trying to put the free kick taker off his stride.

I only had time to watch the first half of this game and the Moghul match before moving on to the main event in Division 1.  The Steamer, with only ten men, went on to win the game 3-2 in an unconvincing display.  They'll have to improve for next week's big match against the Shovels.

In the other 3B game bottom club AFC Moghul were away against Fleetwood Gym.  Moghul, twenty one games without a win, had managed a couple of draws recently but were still the only club in the Alliance still to earn a victory.  Following Anchorsholme Park Ranger's resignation the Gym were only one place above them.  They'd beaten leaders Shovels in December 7-3 and always seem to score a lot of goals but are far too often guilty of letting too many in at the other end.  These two sides last met in mid October when Fleetwood Gym walloped the Moghul 14-2 away.

AFC Moghul FC looked like they had eleven goal-keepers playing today as they sported a horrendous grey kit.

An AFC Moghul player (Richard Hitchins) takes a throw-in closely watched by Fleetwood Gym manager Tony Cowell.  His lads Philip and Jonathan were turming out for the Gym and his daughter was on the adjacent pitch playing a junior friendly in nets for the Gym against Thornton.

Referee Mr Steve Garrett makes a note of a Gym goal.

Fleetwood Gym celebrate going 4-0 up through Alistair Riches with lots of cuddles.  This followed shortly after a brilliant third from Gary Webster who rifled in a classic far post volley that gave the keeper no chance.

The man with one of the hardest jobs in Sunday football ?  Moghul manager Kev Quirke.  He was without four first team regulars today and his team were down to ten men for most of the first half.  The score finished 9-0 to the Gym, a rare clean sheet for the Fleetwood outfit.  Moghul still without a win and with only two games left they'll be struggling to get one.  At least they've stuck through it through this first tough season in Sunday football.

The main game up at Broadwaters involved new leaders Harris & Co up and the Philharmonic.  The Philly are having one of their 'typical' inconsistent seasons.  Like most teams in Division 1 they're well capable of beating anybody on their day.  This was proved last week when I watched some of their game against recent leaders the Sanctuary.  The Philharmonic played great in that game and were well worthy of the 3-0 win.  They were in tenth position at start of play.

These two sides last met on December 12th when the Philharmonic beat Harris & Co 3-2 at home.  Since then Harris have gone on an excellent run of nine games unbeaten in all competitions.  This blistering spell of form has not only taken them to the top of the league but also propelled them through to the semi-finals of the Division 1 Cup where they meet Castle Gardens for a place in the final next week.  This season Harris & Co have picked up a few good players from the Broadway who were in the Prem last season.  When I arrived to watch the whole of the second half Harris had gone in at half time 1-0 up following a goal from Ronnie Moss.

Harris & Co (White shirts) had a great early second half chance to extend their lead but as pictured in the above shot the ball flew agonisingly wide – he should have scored.

The Philharmonic were playing some good stuff and pushing hard for an equaliser and it came not long into the second half.  A high cross into the box caused confusion between the Harris keeper and one of his centre backs.  They got in each others way and clashed, the ball falling kindly for Glenn Worden who coolly tapped it in.

Minutes later and the Philharmonic went ahead.  Poor marking at a corner allowed Adam Butler to rise almost unchallenged to head it past the Harris keeper.  1:2

The Philharmonic had the ball in the net to make it 3-1 but the headed goal was ruled out for offside.  The flag was up early but the Ref was a little late in spotting it.

On 65 minutes Harris & Co equalised. The Philly failed to clear and when the ball came out to the edge of the box it was smashed home.  A fierce half volley that gave the keeper no hope. 2-2

There can't be that many Sunday football grounds in Britain where you can get a good view of the action from a tram.

Referee Colin Brownsell obscured by a Harris player.

Late on Harris & Co had a big shout for a penalty but it was waved away by the Ref leaving many of the players incensed.  

Referee Brownsell ends the game with a blow of his whistle.  The second half could have gone either way but I thought the Philharmonic edged possession and created the better chances  Harris & Co will feel aggrieved that they were denied a penalty but won't be all that disappointed with a draw.  2-2 it finished and with three other draws in Division 1 today there's still everything to play for in the race for the title.

          Sportspy 2004/05

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After Poulton's victory over Red Rose Catering in the first semi final last week at Blackpool Mechanics today's game would decide which team would join them in the final at Bloomfield Road.  Near perfect conditions for football this morning at Squires Gate with calm weather and a flat dry pitch.

Quilligan's keeper Foster races out to the edge of the box to claim the ball ahead of Scott Waters.

Reform Health Club player/manager Dean Whitehouse (Front left)

Both sides elected to play a 3-5-2 formation and this set the tone of the game for the whole of the ninety minutes.  With the middle third being packed with ten decent players this is where the majority of the play took place.  Both teams started confidently with Quilligans shading position in the opposition half.  They had the ball in the net after ten minutes but it was quite rightly ruled out by the referee after a foul on the keeper.  The Reform keeper Stevenson made some good interceptions early on with excellent handling.

Lee Broadbent (Left) and Stuart Diggle for Quilligans.

Today's referee Mr Kevin Rial.  I thought he had a good game.  Not over fussy and kept the game moving.

On forty minutes Quilligan's striker Lee Broadbent limped off and before his replacement Paul Simpson could get on to replace him Quilligans took the lead.  The ball was laid off to centre half Simon Garrick and from about twenty yards his fierce drive took a deflection and flew into the top corner.  In the above shot the Reform keeper can only watch as the ball finds the net.

                             Half time score :  Quilligans FC 1 – 0 Reform Health Club FC

Reform keeper Dave Stevenson makes a good catch in a melee of players at the start of the second half.

A Reform player receives treatment from injured 'Physio' Will Watt who was enjoying the break from running the line.

The crowd using every vantage point to get a good view of this one.  With an important Premier Division fixture going on next door between Highfield Social and Fleetwood Town there were a few well positioned individuals managing to watch both games at the same time.

The second half started in the same vein as the first with very little goal-mouth action.  As well as the packed midfield both back lines were defending brilliantly.  At one end we had the experienced Butler, Garrick and Bracewell and at the other three relative newcomers with Nigel Marlow having a great game.  The best early chance fell to Quilligans.  A long ball into the right hand channel found Diggle and he let rip with a first time half volley that just flew over the bar.

Quilligan's Dave Butler screamed at the ref to get a grip so he duly did and booked him for dissent.

Reform then took off Hayes and Whitehouse and replaced them with Pritchard and Howarth.  Danny Savage also making an entrance in the latter stages.  Being 1-0 down they knew they had to come out and play sometime and as the half progressed the Division 1 side began to push forward troubling the Quilligan's rearguard.  A long cross to the far post saw an off target headed effort make the keeper scramble across his goal.

With time running out another good move upfield from Reform ended with a diagonal ball into the box that the striker just failed to get on the end of.  With gaps appearing at the back Quilligans counter attacked and set Simpson away free down the right.  He looked up and played the perfect pass across the middle for strike partner Stuart Diggle to stab the ball home and put Quilligans through to the final.

The final whistle goes and the respective managers shake hands.

                                   Final Score :  Quilligans FC 2 – 0 Reform Health Club FC

In summary this wasn't a match full of chances and goal-mouth action but still interesting as to see who would come out on top in the midfield battle.  Both sides defended very well all over the pitch.  The 3-5-2 formation was a good tactic for Reform as it had paid dividends in previous Cup matches particularly up in Fleetwood against the Gasworkers.  Quilligans deserved to win the game and go through but they were made to fight every inch of the way against a side that gave 110%.  The Division 1 side made a good show of themselves and can take a lot of credit from the game.  Quilligans mean defence kept yet another clean sheet and if they can get Broadbent and Sugden back fit up front then they're still on for the double.

So it's Poulton SFC and Quilligans through to the Bloomfield Road final.  Quilligans have taken six points off them in the league but with the last game finishing 4-3 in the Premier Division leader's favour we could have an exciting Cup final to look forward to at the end of April/early May.

Don't forget to check out the full match report and more pictures when it appears on the Quilligan's website by clicking here

                                                                                              Sportspy 2004/05