Archive for category: Football

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After the games were collectively called off at Commonedge Road only the kids playing Under 12’s Rugby remained – Shame on the Alliance players, even the juniors were out playing on Commonedge in the afternoon.  But to be fair, when the decision  was made to call off the games the weather was at its worst with very high winds, sleet and snow.

At Blackpool Road, St Annes the two Cup games went ahead as planned.  The pitches were fine but the weather was pretty abysmal.

Referee Trevor Eagle, he’d wanted to call the game off due to the high winds but the players cajoled him into playing.

I just got there in time to see Mark Mottram fire Marton Institute ahead from the penalty spot.  Marton, playing against the wind started the game brilliantly and minutes later Mottram scored a second.  After a good passing move the ball fell to Mottram in the box, he moved the ball on to his left foot and struck it fiercely into the bottom left hand corner.  Marton had reached today’s Quarter Finals after beating Wyre Villa (2B) in Round 1 and Claremont Cons (2A) in Round 2.

On 17 minutes the Dunes pulled one back with a great goal.  A ball over the top fell to young Ben McKay and he hit a first time dipping half volley that gave the Marton keeper no chance.   To reach the last eight the Dunes have had to overcome ACR FC (2A) in Round 1 and Pearson Estates (2B) in Round 2.

Marton’s Mark Mottram.

Five minutes later Marton extended their lead to 3-1.  This time Paul Carroll was on the end of a cross and his first time left footed strike flew past the keeper making manager and linesman Gary Potter a happy man.

Then it was the Dunes turn to get a penalty.  There was something of a delay whilst the players and referee tried to get the ball to stay on the spot but eventually Mark Webster, without any help, slotted the ball home to the keeper’s left.  Shortly before half time the Dunes equalised through Ben McKay making the half time score 3-3.

The Dunes came very stong in the second half.  Firstly Danny Whiteside, unmarked at the far post, made it 4-3 and not long after Chris Nay made it 5-3.  In-form Dunes then put the game beyond doubt with a long range effort from Mark Taylor.  The wind had changed direction in the second half slightly favouring the Dunes and the ball whistled past the Marton keeper with the help of a deflection.  Further goals from Ben McKay and Jamie Nay for the Dunes with a consolation goal from Carroll for Marton made the final score 8-4 to the Dunes.  Good luck to Jimmy Drinkwater and his team in the semi finals.   Eleven wins from the last twelve in all competitions make the Dunes favourites to pull off third place in Division 2A.

In the other Division 2 Cup Quarter Final played in St Annes today Chequers (2A) took on one of 2B’s promotion favourites the Gasworkers Club FC.  The Chequers had reached the last eight after two exciting games in the earlier rounds.  In Round 1 they initially drew 6-6 with Great Eccleston (2A) before beating them 5-4 in the replay and in Round 2 they beat Dudley Industries (2B) by the same score-line.  Chequers started well against the wind and Johnny Turnbull gave the Warton the team a 1-0 lead.

The Chequers keeper pulled off some great stops to keep the Gasworkers at bay.  His best save was a push around the post for a corner but from the resulting flag kick the Fleetwood outfit equalised through Anthony Hadgraft on thirty minutes.  His shot from the edge of the box gave the keeper no hope.  Give that linesman a medal.

Chequers less than a second away from conceding the equaliser.

Just before half time prolific scorer David Poole put the Gasworkers ahead and that’s how it ended up going into the half time interval.  Not long into the second half the Chequers equalised through Gary Schwandt and with the wind favouring them more and more were pushing hard for a third.

Any possibility of a major cup upset was ended when David Poole took control late in the game.  Firstly, he battled his way into the box and placed a shot past the Chequers keeper into the teeth of the gale.  Late on he popped up to score a couple more as the Gasworkers finally made it through to the semis in this tricky tie against a spirited Chequers side who played well in the windy conditions.  Final score :  Chequers 2:5 Gasworkers Club FC. Good luck also to Paul Perkes and Gasworkers FC in the semi final where they’ll meet the Dunes.

The Gasworker’s David Poole with a four goal haul today.

                      Sportspy 2004/05

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On the Sunday before Christmas McDonald Property FC and the Sanctuary FC drew 1-1 at Boundary Park.  These two teams look good bets for promotion to the Prem going into February.  A win for either side would have been be a major step towards winning the title but maybe it was just as important to avoid defeat.

McDonald's Mark Jackson back to form after suffering an injury earlier in the season.

Sanctuary FC's Tony Pearson.  Playing up front alongside Carl Faber today.  Yesterday, he also had a good game for Mechanics in their home draw against Maine Road.

McDonald captain Mike Hartley (Front).

The game, like many in Division 1 this season was closely contested and ended up finishing 0-0.  There was nothing between the teams with very few clear cut chances at either end.  McDonald remain ten points behind Sanctuary but still have those four games in hand. The match was played in great spirit and well refereed by Mr Eagle.  I'm already looking forward to seeing these two teams competing in the top flight next season if they can go on to achieve promotion.

  Jordan Black (Left) and Danny Gregson.

At the top of 3B leaders the Subway took on second placed the Shovels.  Earlier in the season the Subway had trounced today's opponents 7-1 in the reverse league fixture so the Shovels were all up for some revenge.

Shovel's keeper Micky Hall jumps highest to collect the ball.

The first ten minutes were scrappy to say the least with both linesmen stealing the show but then the game came alive.  Firstly, the Shovel's Ian Squires' deflected clearance fell to Pygrum who hit a first time strike from outside the box that flew over Hall and into the net for one of the top goals of the season.  Less than a minute later and the Shovels were level.  Ian Squires redeemed his error with a great ball over the top for Danny Taylor who's pace took him away from the defenders.  He looked up before smashing past the Subway keeper to level the score at 1-1.  Taylor, only 18 is a real talent who's surely likely to receive attention soon from some of the bigger clubs in the Alliance.

Subway's Pygrum leaps highest for the ball.

Referee Mr Martin Rogers in charge of the game today.

Just before I moved on the Shovels took the lead.  A neat pass down the right channel beat the Subway's flat back four and Tony Burke went through and slotted the ball under the keeper.  The Shovels went on to win the game 4-2 and top the table tonight.

In the last of the Division 3 Cup second round ties 3A leaders Little Fat Jacks were up against Athletico Plough.  The first league fixture between the two had ended up with Jacks snatching all three points following a contentious last minute winner so another close fought battle was expected today and that's exactly what we got.

Tempers boil over in the game.

It takes a brave man to wear tights for a Sunday Alliance fixture, especially when the camera is about.  I expect this ensured some extra attention from the Jack's defenders.

After ninety minutes the score was 1-1 and referee Mr John McDonald took the game into extra time.  With the wind advantage Jack's scored twice but just before the interval the Plough made it 3-2 with a great goal.  In the second half of additional time Athletico pushed hard for an equaliser but despite a couple of nervy moments Jacks held out and progress through to the Quarter Finals.  A great game of football.

At the foot of 2B Dudley Industries FC were at home to Stanley Arms, Wesham.  Dudley, without a win since August had drawn two and lost eleven out of their last thirteen games in all competions.  Stanley's season hasn't been all that much better.  Additional spice, as if it were needed, was provided by the fact that ex Dudley striker Dave Bamber was back playing against his old team mates after recently moving to the Stanley.

There was talk of Bamber not being picked due to recent form but Stanley manager Sevens had him in the starting line up and this proved to be the correct choice.  Bamber settled his nerves with a first half goal and it was Stanley who went into the interval 2-0 up.  Shortly into the second half Bamber scored his second with a great one on one finish.  Stanley went on to finish the game 5-1 winners.  There were a few people out to stir things up in the build up to this game but thankfully the match passed by without any problems for referee Mr Harvey. 

Stanley's Joseph Reeves.  He'd come over to the sideline complaining of a knock.  The Stanley fans, unconcerned, emptied the freezing contents of the water bucket over his head.  Reeves' quickly forgetting about any injury.

At the final whistle the Dudley players were gracious in defeat not slow to shake hands with ex striker Bamber pictured left.

                                                                          Sportspy 2004/05