CHADDERTON CLOSE SEASON WITH 9

CHADDERTON 9 ECCLESHALL 0
NWCFL 1 @ ARK FLEETECH STADIUM
29 APRIL 2017 --- 3PM

ACTION FROM CHADDERTON V ECCLESHALL

Chadderton blasted nine goals past already relegated Eccleshall, seven of these in a second half onslaught.  It was harsh on the visitors who had made the long trip beyond saving from the drop but who it has to be said came and battled were some teams may have not appeared.  In the words though of former Chadderton resident Terry Hall of Lenny the Lion fame 'aw dont embarrass me' is how Eccleshall may have felt.
With the blog in need of losing the hat trick of nil nil games there was a selection of local fixtures calling but the need for a new ground was also pulling again and Chadderton was one that had kept appearing at various intervals.  So off we went Manchester bound again and after an early bit of standing on the EMT service we soon got a couple of seats from Sheffield through to Piccadilly.  The arrival saw us having made the choice for the onward journey and it would be via a 181 First Bus turning down the Metrolink and rail service for a few from the top deck of the delights of Anncoats and Miles Platting.  There was time to stare in at FC Utd of Manchester Broadhurst Park from the upper deck and we had forgot that they had a home game today thankfully this did not prove a problem later getting past the stadium at the end of the match.

WERE HERE....CHADDERTON

Arriving at Chadderton we departed at the Mall and were amazed to see 2 Ladbrokes in the space of 20 yards, not sure what's happened there.  We set off away from our ultimate destination in search of the lunch time fish and chips and research took us too Simply Fish and Chips, a selection was obtained and eaten as we walked back towards Chadderton viewing the many, but of course fewer than years ago, mills and industrial past of this area.

ICONIC SHOT AT BOUNDARY PARK

Again we headed away from Chadderton FC what were we doing?  Heading north a quick look at Boundary Park the home of Oldham Athletic beckoned and thankfully with the exterior being pretty much unchanged from what I found on my last visit here in the 80's there was time for a picture of the ground exterior and iconic floodlights.

SMART NEW NORTH STAND FOR OLDHAM ATHLETIC

A further bonus today was the ground was hosting 3D Dynamos FC centenary celebration day so we managed to get a look inside and at the clubs superb new north stand.  Having taken a trip down memory lane it was now fast becoming time to get on our way to todays game and after nipping round the back streets we were soon at Chadderton FC.

PRE MATCH TEAM TALK WITH THE CLUBHOUSE LOOKING ON

First impressions here were off a warm welcome from many people associated with the club who were right up there on the friendly stakes, its always a good point.  Mick had got talking to club president Derek Glyn who had spent years in the army amazingly with a resident from the blogs town in the 50's.  After taking a walk around the ground I visited the bar which is situated above the changing rooms and again a very warm welcome from the lady and gentleman who were serving a selection of supporters.  Mick had also got talking to Chadderton's Chairman Bob Sopel who also offered a warm welcome and coupled with talking to a couple of Droylsden fans in the second half, sorry my memory failed me on your names, this was a very pleasant visit.

TEAM TALK FROM THE CHIMNEY ANGLE

The ground then lots of space around 3/4's of the pitch the entrance side allows car parking within the ground and too watch the game this touchline also features a nice set of dug outs.  The far goal offers a fine view from hard standing atop a grass bank moving to the opposite touchline is a 3/4 length stand featuring terracing and seating.  We arrive back at the club house and overall this is a smart little ground that after recent visits to other clubs its was good to be able to walk all the way around.
With David Platt a former player it was food to see the name Aaron Scholes on the home team sheet, son of.

AARON SCHOLES ON THE BALL

The game then and Jack Tuhoy hit the post for Chadd before the lead came on 33 minutes and the blog broke its 3 game drought thanks to Andrew Bainbridge whose 25 yard effort took a slight deflection.

ECCLESHALL GET SOME POSSESSION

The home side then hit the post again through Craig Schuman before making it 2-0 4 minutes before the break Scholes saw his initial shot blocked but he calmly tapped in the rebound.
It was 3 on 49 minute thanks to Mathew Crothers whose 20 yard drive found the visitors net. 
A quiet goal scoring spell ensued before on 70 minutes we entered a crazy period of goals, first it was Luke Heron who turned the ball in after good work from Vincent Howell.

MIND MY BALL

The fifth came when good work from Sub Gareth Hill supplied fellow bench man Nathan Quinnlan whose deflective header fellow over the line a minute later.  Eccleshall keeper Alexander Bushe spilled a cross moments later only for Hill to finish with a clinical strike.  The seventh arrived with eleven minutes remaining Crothers saw his effort pushed onto the bar by Bushe and as the ball fell back into play Scott Foster made no mistake with the finish.  Chadderton hit the post shortly afterwards through Hill but on 90 minutes he got his second when he slotted home from a tight angle and then in stoppage time he thundered home a 30 yard free kick to secure his hat trick and Chaddertons ninth.

CHADDERTON STILL GOING FORWARD

A thorough performance from Chadderton who in the first half played some nice football on the floor but at times slightly overplayed it, for Eccleshall a long hard season came to an end and hopefully they can re group and of course come back stronger wherever their league placement will find them.
Returning back to the city on a '181' we past Broadhurst Park with no problems and after a fast food restaurant break departed Manchester to arrive on a delayed train back at base station after 8pm from what had been an enjoyable visit featuring a steady little ground and a friendly off the field team oh yes and goals at last!