SELSTON SECURE LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE

SELSTON 2 HUCKNALL TOWN 0
CMFL CHALLENGE CUP AT THE IMPACT ARENA [ALFRETON]
30 APRIL 2017 --- 3PM

CMFL LEAGUE AND CUP DOUBLE WITH SELSTON MANAGER CRAIG WESTON AND
 HIS CAPTAIN BEN MOORE

Selston celebrated a league and cup double with this tight victory over fellow CMFL Southern Division side Hucknall who pushed their fellow Nottinghamshire club all the way.  But it was to be 2 goals in the final throes of this encounter, one apiece from Carl Moore and Wayne Cooke that settled the outcome.

THE BALL IS READY

As ever this popular final was staged at Alfreton Town's Impact Arena and again on a Sunday giving hoppers a chance to attend and they were there in numbers in an attendance of 553 today which included a very large following from Hucknall Town.  From a personal point of view its was good to catch up with many including Burnley Dave, Chris, Michael and many CMFL officials and referees, well done Gareth Davies on your promotion too.  Mark and Brian were doing a steady trade in the programme shop and the queue for the snack bar was large so you knew this would be a good turn out and both sets of fans seemed up for the occasion.

HOPPERS A PLENTY AT THE IMPACT

Arrival at the ground was via a convoluted route from the north of base town thanks to taking in a Sunday League game before the dash to Alfreton.  As ever this would prove to be a tight game between two of the best of most consistent teams in The CMFL South this season.  It was good to see former Alfreton Town player and of course Selston manager Craig Weston before the game now back on his 'home' turf.

EARLY ACTION WITH BOTH SIDES CONTESTING EVRY BALL

No ground descriptor is necessary today as the blog as covered The Impact many times before but it makes an excellent venue for CMFL final proceedings.  The first half was a testing affair for the supporters with little give in both sides even though they both hit the bar.

SUPERB SAVE FROM RANDALL FOR HUCKNALL

Hucknall keeper Michael Randall pulled off a wonderful fingertip save to deny Selston and then he raced out to superbly save as Dominic Airey looked to slot home.
Overall a disappointing first half that really should have seen Selston with the advantage in the goal counting stakes.

SELSTON ON THE ATTACK ON THE SECOND HALF

The second half did not prove much of change in the entertainment stakes but the possession swung in favour of Hucknall who seemed to have Adam Nelson in the right place often but the goal would not come for the Town.

CARL MOORE [10] ABOUT TO BREAK THE DEADLOCK

With 2 minutes remaining as we all looked forward [?] to extra time a free kick off the right was flicked on by Daniel Henshaw for Carl Moore to convert at the far post, start wild celebrations as this late goal wold make it difficult for Hucknall to come back.

CELEBRATIONS AT 1-0

Indeed much as they tried in the 4 minutes of added time they fell to a second from the classic additional sucker punch when Wayne Cooke raced away and coolly placed the ball past the out coming Randall from 20 yards with the last kick of the game.
Referee Beards whistle sounded immediately on a workmanlike final both sides giving there all I guess from a spectator point of view it needed a little more open football but they were just so well matched and you had to feel sorry for a losing finalist in Hucknall who had given so much.

SPARE A THOUGHT FOR HUCKNALL THEY GAVE IT THEIR ALL

But this time around it was to be Selston whose players were of course joyous alongside their League title they have a long hard season as they enter, I guess, The EMCL with lots of summer work to do including a small case of some floodlights.  On a personal note I'm pleased for them as a club and there manager Craig Weston who is always a pleasure to catch up with.  Best wishes to both clubs for next season with Hucknall hopefully looking forward to their new ground too.

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!

LITHERLAND FRUSTRATED BY RESOLUTE DAISY HILL

DAISY HILL 0 LITHERLAND REMYCA 0
NWCFL 1 @ THE NEW SIRS
22 APRIL 2017 --- 3PM

LITHERLAND ON THE ATTACK AT DAISY HILL

The hopes of obtaining an automatic promotion spot were dealt a serious blow for Litherland by a resolute Daisy Hill who spent much of the game defending with tremendous gusto and then very nearly snatching the winner in the third minute of stoppage time.
For the blog this was also a frustrating encounter being the third nil nil game on the trot and I cant remember a time when this run last happened, if ever, I even had some of my texting me after the game saying let them know where I was going next and they would avoid the game!
As ever a start from base station saw us travelling over to Manchester for the third time in just over a week and after a comfortable change at Oxford Rd we were soon passing Athertons LR's ground and pulling into Daisy Hill station at just after midday.

BLUE PLAQUE FROM THE LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETY

In the planning for the game we found out a few interesting history facts about Daisy Hills adjoining town of Westhoughton and having discovered a 'spoons we took a small walk to the town.  First point of interest was the blue plaque on the White Lion which told the story of The Luddites who had burned down the mill opposite the pub in 1812 in protest at the development of machinery that they feared would take their jobs.

A MODERN SPOONS THE ROBERT SHAW

The lunch stop was decided as the spoons which goes by the name of The Robert Shaw having known very little about the name it was named after the actor, born in the town, of the same name who appeared in The Sting and Jaws to name just a few.  Before we settled down for dinner we took a look at the house on King St, opposite the 'spoons, where Shaw was born.  The only slightly obscure thing was that during Shaw's life he seems to have had a well reported battle with the alcohol and now he has a pub named after him.  Lunch called and after Mick had gone through much of the menu by the time he found an item they had not run out of we finally settled down for some eats in this modern establishments.

THE JOHN WESLEY BOLDER

Upon departing we took a circuitous route to the ground which called to see a bolder that John Wesley stood on to preach from in the area in 1785 to the large gathered crowd.
An interesting visit to the town with a lot of history associated to the area.  On arrival in the vicinity of the ground Daisy Hill Cricket Club were hosting a T20 game which already looked packed on this sunny day with lots of stalls and activities in full swing, we bypassed the entertainment turned up the approach drive way to The New Sirs and the grounds large tilting and clubhouse and changing rooms of character are the first thing to tell you of your arrival.  This area as been much photographed elsewhere so to be different I elected not to use any pictures.  The top side sees entrance through a small turnstile block with a blackboard featuring todays nice little message from Daisy Hill's Chairman thanking the supporters.

NICE LITTLE MESSAGE FROM MR CHAIRMAN

Admission paid it was disappointing to find no programme published for the game at step 6 level for the fair few travelling Litherland fans and the hoppers.
The ground then to the left is the aforementioned changing rooms block with a lean on roof to the front with yellow tip up seats.  The far touchline is out of bounds and the near touchline has a small covered terrace and the dug outs to the far goal, as per the near goal, a curved pathway behind the goal and a warming up area.  The pitch is railed off with a selection of standard poles plus new style horse racing tubular railing.
Plenty of friendly people here at the game from both sides and NWCFL officials all alongside the ever friendly Liverpudlians.  It was good to catch up with Jeff whose son Luke Holden was to come off the bench in the second half, a very enjoyable chat Jeff all the best to you and Litherland.
The public address system was competing with its relative at the neighbouring cricket ground but as we kicked off Litherland needed a win to keep their hopes alive for an automatic promotion spot and for Daisy Hill it was all about pride.

COLIN QUIRK HAS IT ALL UNDER CONTROL

The early action saw Jake Connor hit the post and then suffer an injury for his efforts at the other end Daniel Gregory tested the visiting keeper David Potter but overall the pressure was coming for the visitors but some poor delivery seemed to be letting them down.  As the first half wore on Colin Quirk got a sharp shot away that Kyle Hynes cleared off the line to deny Litherland.

THE TRIPLE BELL TOWER OF ST JAMES OVERVIEWS PROCEEDINGS ON THE PITCH

We went into the break goalless and the possibility of my third goalless game in a row was on the cards, but surely Litherland's dominance would produce a goal.

ITS ON THE TIP OF MY FOOT

It so nearly happened on 55 minutes when it was Quirk again who got a 25 yard effort in only for the ball to crash down off the underside of the bar and away to safety.   The pressure built and 3 minutes later substitute Holden tested Craig Haynes in the home goal who went fell length to fingertip his effort away from the goal.  Michael Boyle was next to test Haynes and again the home custodian stood up and blocked the REMYCA mans effort.

HAYNES SAVES THE DAY AGAIN FOR DAISY HILL

This game had been all Litherland as they searched the 3 points their campaign needed for automatic promotion and Daisy Hill had been outstanding in their work rate to deny them.  The sucker punch nearly came in the third minute of stoppage time when Ashley Stott for Daisy Hill broke through lobbed the out coming Litherland keeper David Potter only for his effort to agonisingly hit the post.  This fired up Litherland who had a succession of three corners that were all cleared many with the acrobatics of Craig Haynes in the home goal.
At the end the Litherland players slumped to the floor they had given their all and with a little bit of luck would probably have won but in credit to Daisy Hill they had battled for every ball and made this a very difficult game for the promotion chasers.

LITHERLAND CAPTAIN STEPHEN KING COLLAPSES TO THE FLOOR SHATTERED AT THE FINAL WHISTLE

From a neutral point of view it missed a goal and when you've seen 2 games without a goal you can but hope.  So its now 3 on the trot and all we are saying is 'give us a goal'.
With half an hour to spare before our Northern Rail carriage was due we popped along to watch some T20 cricket next door and did a boundary circuit it was really good to see families out watching and the weather hold for the club especially with the attractions they had put on.  Oh yes and there were runs scored id didn't finish at 0 for 0.
Smooth connection at Oxford Road saw the blog arrive back at base station around 8pm and searching for the fixtures for a game that might just feature goal now!

KILBURN AND IVANHOE SERVE UP ANOTHER GOALLESS GAME

AFC KILBURN 0 V WIRKSWORTH IVANHOE 0
MIDLANDS REGIONAL ALLIANCE PREMIER @ CHAPEL ST
21 APRIL 2017 --- 6.30PM

CHAPEL ST HOME OF AFC KILBURN

The second goalless game on the run provided an interesting visit if not a game with many chances, there were less than on Monday at Graham St Prims!  With little resting on the game for either club there was once again lots on endeavour but on a pitch that was hard control at the vital moment seemed to become difficult as the few efforts there were flew high and wide.

SIGNS FOR BOTH ATTRACTIONS

Chapel St the home of AFC Kilburn who are in their second season at the Welfare following a change of name from Ambergate FC which still adorns some of the clubs clothing, however the signs around the entrance now all proudly display 'AFC Kilburn' and it is excellent to see a club back in the little village just off the A38.  Having seen the ground on quite a few local walks we had looked at a visit for a year or so and after walking up the hill to the village from Kilburn crossroads our first call today was to Kilburn Fish Bar.

OUR SIGNS HIGHER THAN YOURS

The food was good and the first impression was of cleanliness the whole place looked spot on plus you cant miss them the have an orange sign which is perched very high above street level.  Tracing our steps back to the Welfare car park which was filling up we opted for a Lemonade in the club which was awaiting a darts and dominos night something we were to find out later was very popular when the cars started parking behind the goals at the Welfare end.

GROUND ENTRANCE

Kilburn MW had graced the Central Midlands league from 1983 to 1993 and indeed were one of the original members, I believe they are looking at re joining the league and would be a good asset.  The ground will need some tidying up but this is not beyond the realms of achievability for CMFL standards.  The 2 entrance gates is a mini style turnstile and would easily be able to take an admission gate.  Once through to the left are the changing rooms which externally pitch side have a small cover to offer protection from the weather.  Behind the goal is grass standing and the far touchline is not accessible to spectators, the far goal is also grass standing with the near side touchline hard standing and the site for the dug outs.  This area as with a few others would needed the damaged pitch side barriers repairing and replacing plus some panels of the corrugated fencing probably need replacing around the exterior to enclose the ground.

CHANGING ROOMS AND COVERED STANDING

The views are quite pleasant and for an end of season game the scene was set for a nice evening of football  in an acceptable setting.
Having obtained the teams thanks to the referee there was also chance for a quick chat with AFC Chairman Jeff and as with other clubs striving for advancement we wish the club success in its efforts.

WIRKSWORTH [GREEN] KEEP THE BALL IN PLAY

To the game well as mentioned the pitch was hard and probably didn't help proceedings there was lots of effort but it was agricultural and industrious much of the early pressure came from Wirksworth with Liam Sheldon prominent in the action, after that Kilburn did have a chance in front of goal but time allowed this effort to be blocked by a despairing last minute tackle from an Ivanhoes defender.  Half time arrived with the football purists frustration and realisation that it was just 40 minutes each way.

AFC KILBURN TIDY UP AT THE BACK

After a break we were under way for more of the same except for the last 10 minutes which livened up a little the only talking point was an altercation between Kilburn's Sam Beadle and Wirksworth's Jack Higton who both received yellow when a less lenient referee would have produced red in the card selection machine.

SAME BEADLE [4] CAUTIONED FOR KILBURN

With the agreed 80 minutes this was to be the blogs 2nd 0-0 of the season and the first goalless draw for either of these clubs this season, typical!  After Chapel Street being used by many clubs over the proceeding years including Ripley Town its great to see a team under the name of Kilburn now plying their trade back in the village.

WIRKSWORTH NUMBER 10 JACK HIGTON RECEIVES HIS CAUTION

Back to the club for a swift lemonade before returning on the nines to Alfreton and the back to base with a quick change just before 10pm.  Game wise it was disappointing but it was an enjoyable evening with best wishes to both sides for next season.

PRIMS AND VICS BLANK ONE ANOTHER OUT

GRAHAM ST PRIMS 0 V BORROWASH VICS 0
ECML @ BAYTREE CARS STADIUM
17 APRIL 2017 --- 12 PM

GRAHAM ST PRIMS WITH THE FORMER ASTERDALE CLUB OVERVIEWING PROCEEDINGS

Some goalless games are crackers this one was the proverbial bore draw even though there was plenty of effort and endeavour it has to be said that barn doors will not become an endangered species after this 90 minutes.
After a long weekend of football you can probably [?] overdose and this may have been one step too far after seeing the equivalent game last season which equally didn't pull up any trees I made the short journey for this 12 noon kick off, well done to both clubs.  The gate of around 75 certainly pulled in a few hoppers and it was good as ever to see Malc there from the 'on the road' blog and also catch up with Michael and Paul from the Chesterfield the latter who I had not seen for a while and always attends some interesting games.
The journey was launched on The Comet to Derby before a quick change to an I4 service departing just before the ground for a visit to Asda where on this Bank Holiday Monday the nations favourite hobby, shopping, was already being enjoyed be masses of people.  Breakfast was not to be fish and chips but a tasty cheese and onion sandwich and cold sausage roll the life of a hopper!  Having jumped back on a further Trent bus we were soon at the ground and with the Asterdale Club still in a poor state the whole feel of the area is downtrodden.

A WARM WELCOME FROM ROB REES WHO ATTEMPTS TAKE OFF

A warm welcome was offered at the gate and a rather good programme is produced by Prims, well done its always a credit to smaller clubs when they make this sort of effort.  Thankfully my first greeting was with Chesterfield based referee Rob Rees who I had not seen for a while as ever a jovial approach to our conversation as we caught up, thanks Rob.

PERSONAL STANDS AT THE BAYTREE

The ground is pretty much as per described in August 2015 with the stand down the side opposite the touchline now repaired a collection of I believe cigarette shelters offering a separate booth each although you have to dodge the posts.  Last time the blog visited the stand seats had been damaged but thankfully the club have been able to repair these.  The ladies in the snack bar were still stocking a full compliment of instant soups for your sampling there are almost enough to sample a different one at every home game!

LET THE ACTION BEGIN

Overall its a tidy ground with standard fayre for East Midlands Counties football and for todays game Prims neighbour-about 100 yards away- Borrowash Vics were sat in mid table and looking to secure a victory over their fellow Derby club.

VICS ADAM KEMP WOW HOW MUCH BEARD OIL DOES THAT TAKE

To the game and the first half well industrious and agricultural sum it up with little of note and an array of shots missing the target just about covers the proceedings.  A couple of cautions by referee Rees seemed to settle any potential difficulties down before we entered the second period.

REFEREE REES EXPLAINS HIS OFF SPIN

The second half produced the first shot on target in the opening minutes when Devon Livingston saw his snap shot well pushed away by Charlie Wood in the Prims goal.

PRIMS ATTACK IN THE FIRST HALF

The encounter return to norm then until the last 5 minutes or so upon which both teams had chances to break the deadlock a deflected free kick saw Celson Patricinio stick a boot out to attempt to convert from close range bit the ball flew over the bar and then at the other end Jack Tyson saw his header cleared and the ball fell to James Rushby who probably had the best effort of the game but the visiting keeper Simon Dye was equal to it with an excellent save.

PRIMS GO CLOSE

Like the dour game on the TV you keep watching with every belief that from 0-0 there will be a goal and improvement but as the second half winds on you know it isn't going to happen ditto here really.  Full of commitment from both sides but as an entertainment spectacle it didn't happen today.
A sharp return to Derby and back on the space vehicle to base arrival was secured at just short of 4pm.

THE BLOGS CHARIOT AWAITS

CHARNOCK RICHARD TITLE PUSH GOES ON WITH WIN AT PRESTWICH

PRESTWICH HEYS 0 CHARNOCK RICHARD 3
NWCFL 1 @ ADIE MORAN PARK
15 APRIL 2017 --- 3PM

ADIE MORAN PARK HOME OF PRESTWICH HEYS

Charnock Richard produced 3 second half goals without reply to retain top spot in The North West Counties Football League Division 1 and the search for promotion 2 seasons running comes ever nearer.
Another day another game and as Dave the Burnley fan always says at this time of the season its Camel time take on the water for the trip into the desert when there is no footy for ooh at least 8 weeks!  So today we retraced one third of yesterdays steps leaving Derbyshire just before 1130 headed up with 2 units providing a comfortable 4 carriages and we hopped into an old '153' which was heading the service up into Sheffield, sorry drifted into to much train info there!  A smooth transfer to Metrolink and the Bury service enabled us to take a brief view through the trams windows of a busy Saturday in Manchester before we sped out to our destination.  Tickets purchased for our destination of Besses o' th' Barns, don't ask I've no idea either, but with every intention to depart at Prestwich.

OASIS NO ITS ARMSTRONGS ACTUALLY

Its a bit further and that funny name would be our departure station at the final whistle but as most readers will know this blog has become as much about the purveyors of good fish and chips than anything!
There it was Armstrongs Home Of The Jumbo Cod sat the establishment of good fish and chips on Bury Old Road if reviews were to be believed.  The first rule of a good 'un is a queue and here we had one three serving and still about 10 in the line get in there.  The jumbo fish was on offer but even my eyes were not that big and I went for the regular cod with the same size chips all totalling in at around £4.50, a veritable feast dear reader and one that pops into the top echelons of the fish and chip league table.

CHALLENGING AT THE TOP OF THE TABLE MUCH LIKE TODAYS TEAMS

Soon to arrive at the ground, in fact sooner than I had predicted, you know you are arriving by the thunderous sound of the adjacent M60 which was to accompany the afternoons proceedings, it does rather spoil the atmosphere as did the biting cold wind, come on English weather then again it is a Bank Holiday weekend.

COVERED TERRACE AND TURNSTILE ENTRANCE

Adie Moran Park has a set of old steel gates swung open with its name encompassed within and the open weeping car park offers ample room for all to park.  To the far entry is the turnstile and a warm welcome is given we also purchase an excellent programme, well done Prestwich Heys!  The ground has plenty of room for development with masses of space behind either touchline and nearly as much behind either goal.  The whole ground is fenced off with concrete layered fencing.  To the immediate right is a covered flat terrace running a third of the distance behind this bottom goal.  To the left are I guess the old steel cabin changing rooms which have now been superseded by some smart new modern cabins and beyond this a small bar area which also features a snack bar at the same time.  Todays crowd of 209 was I suspect the biggest of the season and it was great to see following Charnock supporters as well as Prestwich fans in attendance with a fair few hoppers.  Prestwich are developing but with a big crowd there snack bar needs to be housed separately as I guess today they didn't take as much as they could have, we certainly only made one visit and would normally spend more.  The only other minor was just one gents toilet also tucked away in the bar emergency plans may have to be made if your desperate and its a big crowd!

A NEW STAND FOR PRESTWICH HEYS FC

Anyway back on the ground journey an the club have jus recently erected a 50 seater stand of 2 rows of smart red tip up seats.  Walking round you can see the Heaton communications tower in Heaton Park and over now on the far touchline are the extended and very smart dug outs.

SMART DUG OUTS

With the crowd filtering in we opted to do a couple of circuits with Mick getting in conversation and me trying to keep warm!  Prestwich Heys started the game just off the play off places with a tough run in but hopes of extending their season after promotion from the Manchester League this has been a great season for them in step 6 as it has been for their visitors Charnock Richard who are top following their promotion as runners up from the West Lancashire League.

HEATON PARK COMMUNICATIONS TOWER

The first half proved a tight affair with both sides testing one another but failing to put too much together of meaning the blustery wind and importance of this game probably not helping.  The most noteworthy first half effort came from Carl Grimshaw who latched onto a loose ball 25 yards out and just as his effort looked to be going in Andrei Stinca in the Heys goal pulled off a superb save to push the effort over the bar.

CHARNOCK ATTACK

From a neutral point of view you felt Prestwich needed to score first but of course just 3 minutes into the second half it was Charnock Richard who took the lead when Spencer Bibby drove home a free kick off he left beating Stinca it looked the ball looked to have gone straight in but Grimsahaw was claiming a touch.  A minor distraction on 59 minutes when Lee O' Brien was asked to change his shirt by the referee but when his management team couldn't see anything wrong they got involved resulted in one of them being dismissed for his protests, O'Brien cautioned and you guessed it he still had to change that shirt.

PRESTWICH HEYS TRY TO BREAK THROUGH

During this passage of play it was good to catch up with Rob a Blackburn supporter now living I Wigan who was on the family Easter visit and a good conversation about all things non league ensued good to meet you Rob, enjoy your football travels.
The visitors made it 2-0 Mathew Davison crossed for Grimshaw to head home and from here on in there was only one winner with Heys a spent force and struggling to get back into the game.  There was time for Grimshaw to get away and slip the ball past the out coming Stinca in the home goal for the third and a hat trick although on 83 minutes with the chance to add to his tally he didn't cover himself with further adulation when from the penalty spot he blasted that high he'd have probably missed another set of goals stacked on top although Wigan were claiming the 2 points.

CLOSE UP WITH THE LEAGUE LEADERS

Overall Charnock Richard showed what a good side they are in a very tight top section of the league and they have to keep winning to secure the title but today showed they can do that.  For Prestwich Heys they will find it hard to make the play offs now but they have has a superb debut season and must be very pleased with their efforts which have more than established them at this level.
The return journey started then at Besses o' th' Barn, there you go I did type it again although it took a few times, and with an efficient journey back into Piccadilly we made the 5.43 and disembarked at base station just before 7pm, great return to get back in good time.
An enjoyable day out as ever with 2 friendly non league clubs who I shall look out for, when I return you just know where lunch will be from don't you?