AMMIES OPENING HOME WIN ON THEIR NEW ADVENTURE

WYTHENSHAWE AMATEURS 3 ABBEY HULTON UTD 2
NWCFL SOUTH @ HOLLYEDGE PARK
11 AUGUST 2018 ---- 3PM

COLIN MURRAY [RIGHT] WINS IT FOR WYTHENSHAWE AMATEURS IN STOPAGE TIME

A game that swung first one way then another saw home NWCFL debutants Wythenshawe Amateurs start as opening scorers and finish as winners in a game that included a penalty a collection of cards including two of the red variety for the Staffordshire visitors.
With the football versus cricket dilemma being won over by the amount of new clubs in The NWCFL since its extra league one has been split north and south in flavour, the chance to get along to Ammies a club many people around the area had been encouraging me to do was too much to miss on the Saturday morning.

NEW BIT OF KIT SOON TO BE SEATED

Public transport travel was going very well, surprisingly, that was until we arrived at Sheffield station when screaming kids, screaming mothers and the same family with a couple of dogs allocated themselves a seat close by within ten minutes I had re positioned myself to a drop down seat by the doors to escape this constant barrage.  Grumpy man syndrome is taking over but there does seem  complete lack of ability to control kids today and the rest of the carriage will suffer too is the parental skill adopted.

THE LONG SOCK BRIGADE OUR ON SHOW

Thankfully departure forty minutes later at Stockport had allowed a little time to visit a recommended chippy, thanks Sean, in the guise of 'Grandads' freshly prepared fish and while waiting the eat in side of the establishment was performing a brisk trade to the back drop of old black and white Stockport scenes.
The option to eat on the go was taken and the chance to have a look around Stockport, something I had not done for a while, found a town that from eye blink to eye blink that skipped from modern to run down to derelict and back again.  But its a fascinating town with its hat making history and railway viaduct the old buildings above eye level offer some fantastic look into the towns past glories non more so than the entrance to Robinsons Unicorn brewery.

DOMINIC LILLIE [7] GRABS THE OPENING HOME GOAL IN AMMIES DEBUT NWCFL SEASON

With plenty of time and regular buses by the ground and onto Wythenshawe I decided to take a look at the civic centre of todays named club which is in the Sharston district very close to Gatley on the eastern edge of the town the opposite side to the cross town rivals who bear the 'town' name.  One of the towns claim to fame is that when it was moved into Greater Manchester from Cheshire control and the area developed to allow housing outside the industrial centre of Manchester it was the biggest collection of council house estates in Europe.  However at the time nobody it appeared thought of putting in shops and a mobile van served the area, today though the smart and functional 70's style commercial centre is surrounded by a couple of large corporate stores.  Along side this the town is served by the excellent Metro-link tram and a new bus interchange which strangely on arrival sees the vehicles slow down to the maximum speed limit of 5 mph, the only problem being the small interchange can take a whole afternoon to get out of!  There are a raft of famous people brought up in or born in the area Harry H Corbett, Johnny Marr and more recently Marcus Rashford in an area that saw Channel four film Shameless around the tower blocks.
But all is smart today on a bright sunny afternoon it was time to re trace the wheels of the number 11 to the southern edge of Hollyedge Park where a pleasant walk through the park brought the ground into view.
WythenshaweAmateurs have had a somewhat nomadic existence around their successful times in The Manchester League and indeed moved into their new ground just over a year ago playing the first game there in September 2017 and only in May this year was the ground an smart new clubhouse officially opened by Man United legend Bryan Robson.

WATCHING YOU WYTHENSHAWEAMATEURS

Turning right out of the park into the car park I was directed towards the 'pay box' and welcomed at both points a brief chat after purchasing programme [£2] and £3 admission a bargain all round.  The paperwork is smart and professionally produced and does all and a little more than some clubs do so well done.  While walking through the small car park it was noticeable that the club had today well organised and had a plan at this point I was greeted by President John Walker with over 70 years at the club you could tell this was a proud day for him and of course the club, I hope you enjoy your season credit to you.
Ground descriptor then to the right we have a small enclosure on the half way line which apparently will be seated with standing accommodation cover to come behind the goal, walking round the far touchline and two smart dugouts are in situ we arrived back at the clubhouse and changing rooms which is behind the entrance goal, with a front terrace they offer a smart and new feel to proceedings.  With floodlight bases and ducting in the club are on course it would appear to get them in by the end of September deadline.  The ground on three sides is enclosed by high green meshed fencing which offer a clear view of the game from outside the ground something I know lots of step 6 clubs in the East Midlands have been told needs changing before they gained promotion.  Of course some grace has been given on this by the authorities with the amount of clubs coming into this new structure and of course Wythenshawe re more than moving along with their plans, I just hope they don't get the short arms long pockets brigade watching from outside certainly today they didn't with a crowd of 172 it was the top NWCFL crowd.
Surprisingly Chris from the Buxton Parish was in attendance so it was great to catch up with you wearing your old 'Ammies' badge and then out from his car popped Pete from the home parish, more of which later.

ABBEY HULTON IN CONTROL

League leaders Abbey Hulton arrived looking to sweep aside the league newcomers but after a nervous start the home side got into the game and took the lead on 20 minutes when Dominic Lillie swept the ball in from close range.  The advantage didn't last long with three further minutes elapsed when Angelo Errico converted from close range the competitive nature of the game from the visitors was coming to the fore with every decision questioned on and off the field with the 'tactic' appearing to be to unsettle the referee thankfully Ammies kept out of this game.  The visitors were reduced to ten men on 32 minutes when Jake Stribling was sent off and Abbey Hulton would now have to be careful in the second period.

KIERAN LAZENBY MAKES IT 2-1 TO THE VISITORS FROM THE PENALTY SPOT

But of course when that next 45 minutes came the usual happened a sharp challenge in the Wythenshawe box led to Kieran Lazenby being upended the offended against player got up and struck home the spot kick to give the ten men the lead.  Once again the advantage didn't last long as the goal of the game from Joel Aikenhead who crashed home a 25 yard drive to level it at two apiece.

AND RELAX THOSE NECK MUSCLES

The visitors tactics seemed to be continuing but referee Aran Hodgkinson was having non of it when on 82 minutes who reduced their total to nine with a straight red card for Sam Luke for a clash in front of the dug outs.
The home side now pushed on and sensed they might break down the visitors for a memorable victory cheered on by the home and neutral supporters.  The ninety minutes was up but after a host of 'talking too's' and stoppages there must be time to add on, indeed there was in the second minute of stoppage time Wythenshawe Amateurs remarkable day off with a wining goal.  Cutting into the box off the left James Green low cross found Colin Murray who lashed the ball home through a collection of players to send the home fans and players wild and the first home win was secured in their new league.
A nice welcoming club who I shall watch out for this season and one point to remember is that in their 72 year history Wythenshawe Amateurs have never been relegated, onward and upward.
The day wasn't over though as the next blog will tell Pete offered me a lift back to base but it would be via Stoke speedway something that he did not expect to take place with the precipitation forecast but whatever it would be a chance to talk sport or at best take in a new sports stadium.