CHEADLE FALL TO CLINICAL OSWESTRY

CHEADLE TOWN 1 V FC OSWESTRY TOWN 4
NWCFL 1 AT PARK RD
27 AUGUST 2016 --- 3PM

LIAM MOLLOY [LEFT] OSWESTRY IN ACTION

In a game that saw the home side put so much into their performance it was a case of missed chances and for Oswestry thanks to Tinsley, 'bar' and Molloy.  Keeper Connor Tinsley pulled off a string of second half saves, the cross bar struck on three occasions and then a double from Liam Molloy was enough to give the visitors a 4-1 victory.  It was a typical game that at all square after 45 minutes saw Cheadle press forward for much of the second period but the woodwork and an inspired performance from the visitors keeper produced 3 breakaway goals that swept away missed chances for the home side.  Take nothing away from Oswestry they were resolute and took their chances well but Cheadle probably had enough to have won this game by the same margin.
With the bank holiday weekend into full swing the decision was taken to try to avoid the rainy weather, something that with 15 minutes to kick off had clearly failed, and take the journey of around an hour to Stockport before hoping aboard a stripey boys number 11 service to Cheadle town centre.  Most of the journey was spent in an ear bursting shrill of two younger members who decided in unison to test the decibels from their pushchair but we were soon departing in the functional little town.  Thankfully we had made the correct destination with the town not to be confused with the Staffordshire town of the same name, mind you when you arrive here Cheadle is surrounded by Cheadle Heath and Cheadle Hulme, how many Cheadle's does one need?

ANOTHER NEW CHIPPY FOR THE BLOG

First point of call was a pre planned spot of a chippy and just off the main street on Wilmslow Rd was Macs Plaice for todays sample of the lunchtime delicacy and as the rain started we ambled back towards the ground.  In the process of trying to take pictures with full fish and chips I managed to drop a few but the attractive little park ahead at the road junction that would take us to Park Rd gave up a little gem.

SCOTCH BOB WELCOMES ALL TO CHEADLE

Carved from a tree was 'Scotch Bob' a former character of the town who was famous for his command of the horse drawn bus that took the local populace into Manchester, reputed to have driven 3 horses abreast quoting Robbie Burns as he travelled along the route.

PARK ROAD STADIUM HOME OF CHEADLE TOWN FC

Soon we were walking off the main street along Park Rd to the ground and after many recommendations including Mr Ryde of this blog we were at the base of Cheadle Town through the turnstile and into an ground that on 3 sides has no furniture except for being railed off and concrete hard standing all around.  The main star here is of course the narrow but deep stand which has recently gained a refurbishment and with green tip up seats to the front the back few rows offer terrace standing a superb idea and commanding a good view.  We declined the stands offer with the requirement to get some pictures pitch side but there can be few non league clubs offering a better terrace view.

A NICE BIT OF HISTORY

While completing the obligatory circuit I found the officials friendly and Mick had also got into conversation with quite a few home officials and he was similarly impressed with their welcome.  The clubhouse is at the side of the main stand and I believe next on the re development project for the club, it will be nice for them to have a new facility but they were a friendly bunch throughout the afternoon as were the visitors from Oswestry who it has to be said for both clubs made this the most pleasant of the season so far.
The home ground Park Rd has a nice link with todays visitors from Shropshire who play at TNS, Welsh Premier League Champions, ground Park Hall were they ground share.  A successful season has seen them gain promotion through the Mercian League and it adds a new aspect to the NWCFL but adds a big journey for the club with Carlisle City also newly promoted.  For the home side Cheadle are now back playing in their founder club, Grasmere Rovers, traditional green and although their history only goes back to 1966 its a nice touch.

DOUBLE STRIKE FOR LIAM MOLLOY [LEFT] WOULD WIN THE DAY FOR OSWESTRY

Most visitors here have reported to me a friendly club which we have experienced and of planes, lots of them!  With nearby Manchester Airport launching them every 30 seconds or so there is many a distraction as the ground is directly on the flight path.
Todays journey over the Peak District on the Liverpool bound train sailed by when at Sheffield the blog got into conversation with Mike Bayly, contributor to When Saturday Comes Magazine, and writer of a new book and 100 grounds you must visit.  Today Mike is off to The Giant Axe the home of Lancaster City.  We, I, had an enjoyable 45 minutes while we batted back grounds to one another like the proverbial tennis player walloping the ball over the net, a pleasure nice to meet you.  You can take a look at the Facebook page for the book which is due to launch in 2017 and contains approx. 75% non league grounds Mike is also one of the organisers of 'non league day' which is of course next Saturday.

SAM NOAR CELEBRATES THE OPENING GOAL

So to the game and when Cheadle took the lead after 5 minutes the game looked like it may only go one way.  With the ball flying about in the box Sam Noar lashed home the loose ball with conviction to give the home side the lead.
But we had read it wrong with FC Oswestry determined to get back into the game they gained more and more possession and apart from Luke Hincku for the home side who struck the bar on 27 minutes it was the visitors who were threatening.  The did equalise on 38 minutes through Richard Litchfield who raced onto a neat through ball and fired past the out coming home keeper.  Two minutes later they should have scored again referee Sims saw a push in the box and Littleton stepped up to take the spot kick but Ben Jupp flew to his left to save at full stretch and we would go into half time all square.

The second half started with the home side on the front foot but it was Oswestry who tooke the lead on 52 minutes when Callum Graybrook cut across the box to fire home past Jupp via what looked like a thwarting deflection.

GRAYBROOK [7] MAKES IT 2-1 TO FC OSWESTRY TOWN

Cheadle scorer Noar then saw Visiting keeper Tinsley deny him twice the second a one handed push away before the same player saw his effort blocked the follow up from Nathan Tosum find the visiting number 1 in fine form with a full length save for a corner.  There was even time for Chris Sherrington to be denied by the acrobatics of Tinsley before you guessed it the visitors went up the other end and scored Callum Graybrook off the right found Molloy who headed in at the far post on 69 minutes.
Amazingly the bar denied Cheadle twice in quick succession with Tinsley beaten this time on both occasions Hincku first struck the woodwork before a curling 25 yard free kick from Sherrington [C] found the same obstacle.
The obvious happened in the final minute of normal time when Molloy fired home unmarked in front of goal after an assist from Dave Hartshorn.
A second half that produced a rather harsh score line for the home side but take nothing away from a young Oswestry side that rode their luck but took their chances thanks to some determined goalkeeping and woodwork.
The reverse journey found us aboard a number 11 shortly after the final whistle and arriving back in Sotckport bus station we made the short walk to platform 0 at the station for the 5.54 train which dropped us off an hour later at base station for what had been an enjoyable afternoon with two friendly clubs and an entertaining game to remember too.

TRANSPORT PICTURE RETURNS THE 11'S VIA CHEADLE