MIDDLEWICH HIT 7

MIDDLEWICH TOWN 7 HALEBANK 1
CHESHIRE LEAGUE 1 @ SEDDON ST
26 MAY 2018 --- 3PM

RORY GORTON MAKES IT 3-0 IT MIDDLEWICH TOWN FC

Middlewich hit seven in their chase for runners up spot in the Cheshire League 1 ultimately though with Pilkington wining at Lostock Gralam that position would be taken from them but this was a comfortable win on a club fun day that consisted of a reserve game at noon before a goalkeeping coaching session with Brian Jenson sandwiched in between the two games.
As the end of the season fast approaches the extension into The Cheshire, Staffordshire and MRA leagues has provided a breath of fresh air and todays visit was equally as interesting as the others over the last few weeks.  Today was a day of engineering works and Northern Rail strikes so planning would be important and with Halebank unable to raise a side in mid week I did fear for the game.  Thankfully a couple of texts later on Friday the Middlewich secretary and League fixture secretary calmed my doubts and after nearly messing up a amended timetable from base station we found ourselves in Derby for the first change, we this weekend being Dan, Mick and yours truly.
The one carriage special was fully loaded out of Derby and by the time we departed at Crewe it was a relief to make the smart walk to the adjacent Crewe Arms, bus stop mind you, for the aquamarine 37 that would depart us just shy of our ultimate destination and outside The Kings Lock Fish and Chip establishment, walking into the town we took a first look at the canal.

THEY ARE BACK

Interestingly in the town there are 3 canals, 3 major roads and 3 rivers I was off to the bookies for a bet on the game yes you've guessed it..........4-1!
An amble along the main shopping street Wheelock St gave up a Tesco Express and within about 100 yards a large Tesco store, not sure how long they will both survive and here in Midllewich itself I guess the big boys have seen off many of the local shops that today were sadly few and far between.  Passing the interesting Bull Ring a steeped former amphitheatre which now showed the local bus stop only at regular intervals.  We had a tow path walk back along the canal coming out by the Big Lock Pub and onto Finneys Lane which gave up a small car park and Middlewich Town Fc and their social club and MUGA.

THE UNIQUE DUG OUT STAND AT SEDDON ST

There was already a lot of activity with the reserve game v Eagle Sports having just concluded the bar was area was a hive of activity, once again a club with a smart facility and the walls adorned with past glories.  Into the ground for a circuit and its most interesting feature is its high rectangular stand with the double dug outs built into the base, there are a further set over the far side of the pitch and the teams did split themselves between them as per last week at Knutsford.

THE FAR SIDE WITH SMALL STAND AND FURTHER DUG OUTS

Hard standing and corporate red and white railed barriers are the order of the day and behind the far dug outs a small covered stand straddles the half way line.  The main stand is raised with two rows of seats which if you are tall are very low to the floor and offer a knees under chin experience that the most strenuous of exercise would never give up.  A real ground of non league character which gives up its former NWCFL days before the requirement for floodlights something that the club does not have.  The feel around the club is of a lovely little community set up based in the town and if nearer its one that would be on my list regularly with the social club and a snack bar open with the normal admission set at just £2.

BRIAN JENSON FORMER BURNLEY AND NOW CRUSADERS CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER 17/18

The next event of the day had just started with former Burnley and now Crusaders Championship winner Brian Jenson setting up his goalkeeper coaching session.  We were joined today here by a fair collection of hoppers all taking in their end of season game and once again we were pleased to see Sean Blaney alongside Ben and Pat from Sheffield Fc who its always a pleasure to catch up with.  During the game Mick was off speaking to many other people were interesting conversations followed and I finally caught up with Geoff who once again was an interesting chap to talk to in relation to football around this area.  Good to meet you all today!

JAMIE PETRIE INTO THE BOX FOR MIDDLEWICH

Todays visitors Halebank put up some sterling opposition in the opening 20 minutes and belied their lowly position in the league, plus they should also be applauded for getting a side out to fulfil this fixture especially with the Liverpool final I guess losing them a few options. 
It was Lewis Galloway who had an early chance for the visitors but he couldn't get a powerful enough shot away and ultimately after an encouraging start by Halebank it was the home side who took the lead after 25 minutes when Mike Evans was put through and he slotted past the visiting keeper Dylan Whitley.  Sadly for the visitors this seemed to hit their confidence after being on the end of a few heavy defeats the floodgates were about to open seven minutes later when Mike Whitehead crossed for Rory Gorton to double the Middlewich lead.  Just a minute later a free kick 20 yards out sealed the afternoon for Halebank when Gorton converted it to make it 3-0 and we went into half time with a fourth when Mark Adamcycz drove in from the edge of the box.

MIKE EVANS OFF DOWN THE WING FOR TOWN

The second half started encouragingly for Halebank when Kevin Dunning hit a post but service was returned to normal shortly afterwards with the home sides fifth when Jamie Petrie crossed for Adamcycz to head home for his second of the game after 47 minutes.  Aster a period of play were Midllewich were guilty of missed chances something that could have proved costly if the second place spot had gone down to goal difference it was the visitors who reduced the arrears when Elliott Cunningham fired home.

GORTON GETS A SHOT IN FOR MIDDLEWICH TOWN

The closing stages though belonged to Middlewich Town who added a penalty from Dean Burgess after Petrie had been fouled in the box and it was seven following a corner off the right that was well headed home by Scott Twite.
An entertaining affair for the home side that probably should have seen them secure more goals with credit to Halebank who never gave up all watched by a healthy crowd approaching 3 figures this had been a pleasant afternoon watching another Cheshire League game in an attractive setting with some nice facilities.
Return journey to the 37 bus stop saw Sean lead the way he had spotted the short cut and we were soon on our way to right outside Crewe station were we bade him farewell and we popped off on the one carriage bus on rails back to Derby and with a sharp connection a base station arrival at just before 8pm.