DERBY DAY JOY FOR WEST DIDSBURY & CHORLTON AT MAINE RD

MAINE RD 0 V WEST DIDSBURY AND CHORLTON 1
NWCFL @ BRANTINGHAM RD
28 DECEMBER 2015 --- 3PM

MAINE RD FC

[A few more pics will follow on the blogs Facebook in the next few days]
Christmas derby day celebrations ensued from this game for West Didsbury and Chorlton [WDC] as an 18th minute strike from Mathew Kay sealed victory over their neighbouring hosts Maine Rd.

THE ARTISTIC PHOTO?

An ingenious fixture arrangement of the Sunday after Christmas brought out many hoppers and neutral supporters to witness this NWCFL game after the proceeding day had seen many of their counterparts fixtures postponed due to the downpours of recent days.  Clubs often struggle to take an off the wall look at ways of attracting supporters and both sides here must take credit for giving the footy fan a game to attend on what turned out to be a pleasant afternoon barring a late heavy shower.
So as to the start from base and following communication from Maine Rd we learnt of a cautionary look at the pitch around 11am, with travel needing to be started from the main line station at 1120 a gamble would probably have to be made.  The day started anxiously if the rain was not enough the Sunday bus service turned up late full of desperate mid holiday period shoppers looking to return items or grab bargains.  Thankfully todays host posted a tweet at 1050 that the game was definitely on so off we went to purchase the tickets and enter a further busy platform with more shoppers and returning visitors looking to board our, thankfully, 4 carriage train to Manchester.

OUR CARRIAGE IS ARRIVING

Upon arrival at Piccadilly the tram was boarded and soon departed at Deansgate for a change for the East Didsbury tram for a short journey to Chorlton.  Thankfully it was a quiet morning and my infrequent knowledge of the tram ticket machines soon came back to me without the need to be rushed by waiting passengers who have the 'knowledge'.  The one tram track system approaching Deansgate was creating a nice collection of the yellow units and offered a few photo opportunities.

A PLEASANT WELCOME AT THE SNACK BAR

Departure at Chorlton just after 1.30pm allowed us time to have a little walk around the shopping area but before long we were soon on the way to the ground via the leafy suburbs.  During our walk around the 'business district' quite a few WDC fans were spotted along with their dog attired in festive jumper, later discovered to be Jed more of which shortly.
Maine Rd have an emotional attatchment to Manchester City playing in all sky blue kit, having a badge similar to City's 1980 style and now sponsored by MCFC Supporters Club.  The club originally formed as Rusholme City Supporters Club and today that link seems very fresh but as the Premiership club left its base just 3/4's of a mile away to the far side of the city Maine Rd FC remain in situ.
Having arrived at the ground for what would be my second visit but the first for a blog entry it has to be said it is one of the most understated entrance to any ground in football with little signage.  But the blog soon found out that as on my previous visit this is a friendly club all round.  Entrance via the pathway to the 2 turnstiles is via the club house/church community hall and now derelict netted astroturf 5 a side pitch.

OVERVIEW OF THE MAIN STAND AT MAINE RD!

Having paid our entry fee and gained the hefty match day programme we also obtained a couple of raffle tickets for todays draw.  Today we opted to visit the inside snack bar area first rather than a ground circuit and Mick sampled the pies while the blog opted for confectionery and a coffee.  It turned out to be a good move as teams were in just before 2pm and gained avoiding a late rush to gather them.  Once again, although there was a shortage of chips, it has to be mentioned the valiant work of the catering crew who were very pleasant and welcoming to all visitors.

ALWAYS LOOK FOR THE BEST PHOTO REFLECTION SHOT OF MAINE
RD KEEPER IN PRE MATCH TRAINING

For the circuit of the ground we popped round anti clockwise with hard standing taking us past the turnstiles to a small stepped area that showed the only minor puddle in the ground.  The far side as a benched seating 3/4 length stand mixed in with a selection of standing, behind the top goal is all hard standing and as we come back around to the near side we notice a wide selection of grounds mans equipment in situ.  This side has a small stepped terrace stand and then two corporate coloured brick dug outs.  One noticeable part of the ground is it is completely devoid of advertising boards of any type.

ALWAYS GOOD TO ARRIVE EARLY TO GET THE BEST VIEWING POSITION

During and before the game we caught up with many hoppers who as ever it was very educational to talk to and a collection of tips on visits was exchanged.  We also met husband and wife photographic team from Fylde again  good to catch up with all today thank you.
As kick off approached it did not look like we would approach the final excellent attendance of 360 that was until the last 10 minutes when the supporters decided to pile in.  Todays attendance was added to by the previously mentioned Jed who I have to mention like a schoolboy in the days of old was guided in through the turnstiles without payment not even offering a glance at the turnstile operator who was dazzled by his Christmas camouflage knitwear!  He spent most of the afternoon under fair layers of coats has he settled down for a comfortable afternoon with the WDC kop who had taken up residence under the stand.

JED'S IN READY FOR AN ENTERTAINING AFTERNOON WRAPPED UP IN FESTIVE ATTIRE

There are always obscure moments in a non league game, non more so than the delightful Jed [non league dog star], and this afternoon getting into a small conversation with a chap who declared his cousin to be former Chesterfield player Dave Waller.

MAIN RD KEEPER FIELDING PRE MATCH

We had enjoyed an entertaining pre match build up with both sides training on the outfields we peered over the wall to view some of the two teams work outs while also taking a look at both keepers who were allowed to warm up on the hallowed turf.  The pitch looked in very good condition considering the terrible weather during December and thankfully we would have no problems in completing 90 minutes today.
The action in the early stages involved a lot of big ball with both teams eager not to make mistakes or get caught in possession but it was the visitors who were looking the stronger and then on 18 minutes the took the leas with a goal that would prove the deciding factor of the afternoon.  A smart cross off the right from Ben Steer dropped tantalising in front of the in running Kay who smashed the ball into the roof of the net with gusto.  WDC were looking the stronger side and the young guns of Maine Rd were struggling to put too much together and at times were grateful for the custodianship of Lewis Fielding.

Half time arrived and Maine Rd had a lot to do to rescue the game but they did start more encouragingly but were still looking a little short in the final third with WDC always threatening to expand their lead non more so than when Mark Rogers struck the bar with a powerful header.
The home side were fortunate to keep a full compliment of players on the pitch after 53 minutes when Casey Reid's late diving tackle on goal scorer Kay resulted in just a yellow from referee and lengthy treatment for the WDC frontman.

WDC ON THE ATTACK

The game entered a tetchy stage as the home side were committing fouls regularly as the visitors were looking to gain a grip on the game.  The final 15 minutes of the game entered a end to end feel about it but it was still West who were creating the clearer chances with Benjamin Richardson forcing Fielding into two excellent saves from blistering shots.
With that said Maine Rd came very close to equalising in the 4th minute of stoppage time when Michael Burke delivered a sweet cross off the right for Connor Hughes to strike on the volley only to see the ball fly just inches over.

HI-VIS CITY IN THE DUG OUTS

Upon the final whistle a few moments later WDC celebrated this momentous victory over their neighbours and Maine Rd trudged off a little disappointed that they could not pull the early goal back.  But the clever planning from Maine Rd had brought an enjoyable afternoon out for the 360 supporters who were in attendance for a game that never quite got into final gear but was a refreshing change to Christmas TV schedules.
The reverse journey into the city saw us take a direct tram back with a visit to the big 'M's' for some eats before a departure from Oxford Rd station on a very quiet train back to base just after 8pm.
Great day out, loved the visit to Maine Rd once again and keep getting recommended to WDC and of course they have been added to the 'to do list' for a visit soon.

COMFORTABLE VIEWING FROM THE STAND AT MAINE RD FC