NOMADS SETTLING DOWN JUST FINE

CHEADLE HEATH NOMADS 3 FC OSWESTRY TOWN 0
NWCFL DIVISION 1 SOUTH @ THE PROSEAL STADIUM
1 SEPTEMBER 2018 --- 3PM

CHEADLE HEATH NOMADS V FC OSWESTRY AT THE PROSEAL

New league, smartly developing ground, a steady start to the new season on the pitch and Cheadle Heath Nomads are settling down just fine in their new environment since promotion from The Cheshire League.  Today proved a case in point against the much fancied border club Fc Oswestry the game was all but sealed when the Nomads were two goals to the good inside the opening nine minutes.
Third game running would see a exploration of something new with a visit back to the NWCFL with the input of a vast array of new clubs there will be plenty to go at when some of the rail chaos is sorted out around base and with the Northern Rail industrial action stops on a Saturday in another five weeks time.

CENTRAL ACCOMODATION AT THE GROUND

As ever the train experience was of a fairly full affair to Stockport and having set off early today arrival in 'hat town' was two and a half hours before kick which allowed a departure by the Edgeley exit to the aforementioned shopping centre and a visit to The Friary on Castle St after a referral from Sean of this said Parish.  Thankfully with County at home on the adjacent street the early arrival allowed a brief purchase wait and off down the Edgeley Road.  Veering off to the right to discover something about Cheadle Heath I didn't locate to much of interest save for the large Morrisions for a pastry and drink, interestingly though this was the site of the former Cheadle Heath station, sadly closed in 1967.
From here it was a good goal-kick through the dog legged back streets to The Proseal and approaching from the north Normanton Rd took us under the Stockport to Chester rail line whose embankment runs by the ground, although for train spotters the line is very well shielded by trees for any photo opportunities.

THE BUSINESS END WITH NEW FLOODLIGHTS

Comfort break gained in the clubhouse which is just outside the ground with entry via a gateway with pay box on the exterior.  Admission paid and a once again excellent professionally produced programme purchased, its been a very lucky few weeks with some attractive and informative paperwork that belies the clubs who want to halt their programme production just take a look at Nomads here today, Ashby Ivanhoe and Newark Flowserve to get some tips of how to do it well.
Walking along the adjacent netted 3g pitch the ground opens up with to one side a training pitch and the main pitch straight ahead.

1-0 NOMADS RICHARD TINDALL SLOTS HOME

The two sided grounds of recent weeks goes up to two and a half here with on or entrance side a half side complimented by the Welsh Harrison changing rooms, snack bar and soon to be added toilet block and hospitality section.  If the work is done as smartly as the initial building then it will look very nice especially with the added touch of 'Nomads' added within the brick work.  The far goal is at present out of bounds on the opposite side the two dug outs are separated by a small Atcost stand and base work half way down either half is in place for the terraced stands too be added very shortly.  The ground is very smartly railed off with the modern tough poly-tubing with additional fencing behind the goals and alongside concrete hard standing the job as been well done.  However I'm sure the clubs shining, quite literally, example of pride are their new floodlights freshly installed and commissioned this week.
With a smart little ground developed under the guidance of Chairman George Gibbons and a selection of volunteers the club is moving on apace off the field.  Having arrived early it was nice to be engaged in conversation by coach Damon Carroll and then catch up with an old mate Nev Pearson who has moved here as secretary from Knutsford and who I first caught up with when he was manager at Gamesley and myself at Clay Cross Town Fc.
Friendly welcomes go down a bundle in non-league and its one of the games selling points at this level and Cheadle Heath Nomads achieved that this afternoon.  Having craned my neck all afternoon and showed I was a foreigner in these parts it was finally time to avoid looking at every plane passing overhead on the flight path to Manchester Airport and watch the game!

STEPHEN KIRBY ABOUT TO FIRE HOME TO MAKE IT 2-0

Visitors FC Oswestry Town had got international clearance for a few players and I believe had a few TNS players in their squad but overall this looked a very young side.  Nomads now trading under their original name after a period with Linotype being to the fore whilst in The Cheshire League after a merger were looking to push on after a comfortable start.
This one couldn't have started much better clinical finishing saw them 2-0 up in just nine minutes with Richard Tindall opening the scoring after 5 minutes when he rounded visiting keeper Louie Mackin to slot home from a very tight angle and then the advantage was doubled when the ball fell out to the edge of the box Stephen Kirby lashed it back this time into the bottom right hand corner.
With this early onslaught you feared for the visitors who gradually got a foot hold back into the game and survived to half  time without any more breaches.

REFEREE TOM CASSIDY HAS A QUICK CATCH UP WITH OSWESTRY'S DAVID HOWARTH

The second period proved a bit of a non event with Oswestry having some control to the edge of the home sides penalty area but overall the young ones found Nomads just a little too strong for them today.  
Without threatening too much you just had the feeling that it would be Nomads if anybody who would score again and so it turned out to be mid way through the second half  when Kirby got his second when he made space on the edge of the box to again show he knows where the goals are, 3-0.

THE CHASE IS ON

A comfortable win for Cheadle Heath Nomads with a under par day at the coalface for Oswestry I suspect who will be keen to put this performance out of the way and get back to that winning feeling soon.
An enjoyable little visit too a club who are working hard to meet their challenges at this new level both on the pitch and off it, hope to catch up with Nev and the Nomads again soon.

GREAT KEEPERS KIT LOUIE MACKIN DOUBLES AS A SUPERHERO ON HIS DAYS OFF

Return journey back to Stockport saw a hoppers stop in the Coop before boarding a delayed Trans Pennine service to Sheffield, big mistake as ever all standing with suitcases all around before obtaining a quick connection back to base station with the luxury of a seat.