Weekend Round Up
Mon 19th November 2012 | Match Reviews | By Martin Fallon
FA CARLSBERG VASE SECOND ROUND
It was a stunning afternoon for the North West Counties League on Saturday, with the league's clubs winning every tie played against outside opposition.
Wigan Robin Park pulled off one of the upsets of the Second Round with a fantastic 2-1 victory at Bedlington Terriers. The hosts, who were beaten finalists in 1999 with two other Semi-Finals reached in the noughties, were stunned after just nine minutes when Shaun White picked out Ryan Small on the edge of the area. Small turned before firing a wonderful right footed effort past Jonothan Ball into the left hand corner of the goal.
It got better on 34 minutes when a long ball from the back saw Phil Howard and centre back Adam Wilkinson battling for the ball. Wilkinson got there first but to his horror poked the ball past teammate Ball to double the visitors lead. Wigan rattled their opponents and could have extended the lead, but they had to see out a nervy last few minutes after Terriers scored in the 89th minute. A cross from the left found 6ft 5in Richard Pell with Jay Foulds saving well only for the ball to fall for ex-Newcastle United forward Paul Brayson who scored from an acute angle (for all you quiz buffs out there, Brayson is the shortest footballer to have ever played in the Premiership!)
Joining Wigan in winning away from home was Norton United, who entered the competition at this stage after reaching the Fourth Round last year. In a game of few clear cut chances, it was Norton who progressed with Dan Brown scoring the only goal of the game in the 89th minute. A long ball from Richard Smith saw Brown clear of the defence with their leading scorer Brown chipping the keeper with the ball finding the corner.
Also reaching the Fourth Round last season was Runcorn Town, and they also took a step nearer to doing so once more in the only all-NWCFL clash of the day as they beat Formby 2-1. The Premier Division leaders did not have their own way against the Division One high fliers, and it was Formby who had the better possession and chances on the day.
Formby took the lead on the half hour with a good passing move down the left with debutant Jordan Rugg playing a one-two with Paul Speed before slotting home. Runcorn got back into the game on 58 minutes with Ste Latham rising to head a free kick into the corner. The winning goal came 12 minutes from time with Gareth Grant finding himself clear of the defence before keeping his composure to slot past the keeper.
Biggest win of the day for NWCFL sides came at Barnoldswick Town, with the home side reaching the Third Round for the first time after winning 5-2 against Armthorpe Welfare. Barlick took the lead after eight minutes with Stewart Airdrie taking advantage of hesitancy between goalkeeper William Biggs and defender Steven Garner to chip the ball into an unguarded net from 25 yards. On 25 minutes they doubled the lead, a cross to the far post headed onto the bar by Airdrie with Liam Garbutt smashing home the loose ball.
Armthorpe were awarded a penalty in the 34th minute after Joe Lumsden was fouled in the area, with Lumsden himself reducing the arrears. Two minutes into the second half Airdrie restored the two goal lead, collecting a through ball on the edge of the box before finding the net. Barlick hit the post and had a goal disallowed with Armthorpe pulling one back on 68 minutes when full back Berivan Khaled crossed to the far post where Richard Smith powered in a header crept just inside the post.
Despite the one goal lead, Barlick looked comfortable and four minutes from time Harry Thompson collected a pass from Airdrie and shrugged off a challenge before burying a shot under the keeper. In stoppage time Mark Threlfall sealed the win with the fifth when he finished off a move down the right by rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into the empty net.
The final team through are Winsford United, who beat Morpeth United 1-0 at home, the visitors facing a 400-mile round trip for the tie. The only goal of the game came on 36 minutes when Andy Hurst was fouled in the box as he looked to score a rebound from Brian Matthew's drive. Hurst got up and sent goalkeeper Jak Wells the wrong way, putting his spot kick high and right into the roof of the net.
Bootle will be looking to make it six teams through tomorrow evening when they face Thackley at home, Saturday's game called off due to a waterlogged pitch
LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP SECOND ROUND
Division One leaders AFC Darwen progressed to the Third Round of the League Cup after a 5-1 win at Holker Old Boys. Jon Hession opened the scoring for the visitors in the 17th minutes, firing home from the edge of the area from John Leeming's lay off. Scores were level at the break through with Conor Erdis put clear in the 39th minutes by Ian Swarbrick's precision pass with the forward advancing forward before scoring.
Nine minutes into the second half Darwen regained the lead with Hession grabbing his second of the game with another effort from the edge of the box from Bobby Langford's through ball. The third goal did not arrive until eight minutes from time with a sweeping move culminating in Karl Turner finishing well from 20 yards. Substitute Gary Brown, usually a right back, grabbed his first goal of the season three minutes from time to make it 4-1, with Brown quickly doubling his tally with the fifth goal in stoppage time.
PREMIER DIVISION
Maine Road moved one point clear at the top of the Premier Division after a 2-2 draw at fifth placed Congleton Town. Tom Bailey opened the scoring for the visitors on 38 minutes as he followed up a powerfully hit Tom Bentham effort that the Bears keeper could only parry. A minutes into the second half Congleton levelled with an attempted clearance from Road's keeper finding the leagues top scorer Chris Smith who controlled the ball before hitting a shot that went in off the upright.
12 minutes later Road regained the lead with a fortuitous bit of luck when an attempted clearance from the Bears struck a teammate with the ball rebounding to Bailey in acres of space. Bailey kept his cool and sped forward before slotting his 14th goal of the campaign. Congleton's equaliser came with 16 minutes to go with Louis James' shot from distance taking a wicked deflection which wrong footed the keeper, the ball nestling in the net to gain the Bears a point which moves them up a place to fourth.
With the rest of the top six in Vase action or suffering a postponment, Colne took full advantage with a 7-0 win at Stone Dominoes, a result that extends their unbeaten league run to eight games as they move to within touching distance of the leading pack. Jason Hart's 18th goal of the season after 15 minutes opened the scoring with Dominic Craig doubling the lead five minutes later.
Ben Hoskin increased the lead four minutes into the second half with Craig adding a fourth five minutes later. Craig then claimed the matchball as he slotted home a penalty with 15 minutes remaining, before James Crorken added the sixth goal ten minutes from time. A superb day for Colne was rounded off four minutes later with Craig becoming the second Colne player to score four in an away game this season.
Glossop North End's Jekell and Hyde season continued as they followed up a 5-3 loss in their last game with a comfortable 3-0 win over Ashton Athletic. After a goalless first half Dean McGregor opened the scoring three minutes into the second half. Ten minutes later Mark Battersby doubled the lead for the home side with the hot-shot striker scoring his 11th goal since joining Glossop with 17 minutes remaining.
Alsager Town and Squires Gate's games on Saturday saw them become the first sides to reach the halfway mark this season, and they both registered home wins whilst doing so. Alsager are up to eighth after a 1-0 win over AFC Blackpool, Jed Davies with the only goal 20 minutes from time.
Meanwhile Squires Gate moved out of the relegation places after a 2-0 home win against Stockport Sports.The opening goal came on 66 minutes when Josh Miller crossed to Andrew Harvie at the far post, who cut back inside before unleashing a thunderous shot into the far corner. Less than a minute later it was two, with Stockport losing possession in the centre straight from kick-off with Josh Miller sent clear before firing home.
The Padiham v Runcorn Linnets and St Helens Town v Silsden games were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch
FIRST DIVISION
Abbey Hey won the big game in the First Division as they leapfrogged opponents Ashton Town into second place after a 2-1 home win.
Abbey's began in blistering fashion and were ahead within a minute as the unfortunate Michael Boyle slipped whilst making a clearance with Martin Pilkington smashing the loose ball home. Five minutes later it was 2-0 with a ball over the top sending Pilkington clear with the forward lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the net. Ashton scored what proved a consolation eight minutes from time when Ste Mahoney found substitute Mikey Cummins, the young striker sidefooting the ball into the bottom corner after an excellent first touch set him up.
Newcomers West Didsbury & Chorlton climbed three places to fourth after recording their fourth away win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Daisy Hill. Both teams had chances in a tight first half with West having a lot of the attacking play in the second half. The only goal of the game came four minutes from time through Anthony Potts' second goal of the season.
This result sees Daisy Hill slip to the foot of the table after Eccleshall recorded their first home win of the season in emphatic style with a 5-2 win over Atherton Collieries. Eccleshall took the lead on 18 minutes after Mark Mapperson rose majestically to head home a corner. It should have been 2-0 at half time with Eccleshall awarded a penalty, but Adam Jones's spot kick was saved by Josh Harris.
Eccleshall came out of the blocks quick in the second half and doubled their lead less than a minute in with Tom Wakefield rounding the keeper before slotting home. It was 3-0 on 53 minutes with Wakefield finding Liam Gallagher who ran clear and found the net. Worse was to come for Colls as Wakefield made it 4-0 on 62 minutes with a fine individual effort, beating three players before placing the ball passed the diving Harris.
Atherton pulled one back a minute later with Mike Mulrooney placing a shot into the corner, but two minutes later Wakefield completed his hat trick when he outpaced the Atherton defence to slide the ball passed Harris. Wakefield has transformed Eccleshall with the goal his 9th in the last four games. Atherton grabbed a consolation in stoppage time with Paul Townsend burying a shot into the corner.
The other Atherton side fared no better in the day's only other game, losing 2-1 at home to Northwich Villa side. Cameron Clark put Villa ahead after 18 minutes with Philip Clorley doubling the lead after 67 minutes. Lewis Coyle scored a consolation for LR with a minute remaining.
The Chadderton v Irlam, Nelson v Rochdale Town and Oldham Boro v Leek CSOB games were all postponed due to waterlogged pitches
RESERVE DIVISION
Cheadle are up to fifth place in the Reserve Division after a 5-1 home win against Nelson. Meanwhile Runcorn Linnets remain the only unbeaten side on their travels, winning 1-0 at West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The AFC Darwen v New Mills and Wigan Robin Park v Padiham games were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch
Apologies for the lack of a weekend update last weekend. I was away catching some winter sun!
Today's images courtesy of the official websites of Maine Road FC, Glossop North End and Ashton Town
Weekend Round Up
Mon 19th November 2012 | Match Reviews
By Martin Fallon
FA CARLSBERG VASE SECOND ROUND
It was a stunning afternoon for the North West Counties League on Saturday, with the league's clubs winning every tie played against outside opposition.
Wigan Robin Park pulled off one of the upsets of the Second Round with a fantastic 2-1 victory at Bedlington Terriers. The hosts, who were beaten finalists in 1999 with two other Semi-Finals reached in the noughties, were stunned after just nine minutes when Shaun White picked out Ryan Small on the edge of the area. Small turned before firing a wonderful right footed effort past Jonothan Ball into the left hand corner of the goal.
It got better on 34 minutes when a long ball from the back saw Phil Howard and centre back Adam Wilkinson battling for the ball. Wilkinson got there first but to his horror poked the ball past teammate Ball to double the visitors lead. Wigan rattled their opponents and could have extended the lead, but they had to see out a nervy last few minutes after Terriers scored in the 89th minute. A cross from the left found 6ft 5in Richard Pell with Jay Foulds saving well only for the ball to fall for ex-Newcastle United forward Paul Brayson who scored from an acute angle (for all you quiz buffs out there, Brayson is the shortest footballer to have ever played in the Premiership!)
Joining Wigan in winning away from home was Norton United, who entered the competition at this stage after reaching the Fourth Round last year. In a game of few clear cut chances, it was Norton who progressed with Dan Brown scoring the only goal of the game in the 89th minute. A long ball from Richard Smith saw Brown clear of the defence with their leading scorer Brown chipping the keeper with the ball finding the corner.
Also reaching the Fourth Round last season was Runcorn Town, and they also took a step nearer to doing so once more in the only all-NWCFL clash of the day as they beat Formby 2-1. The Premier Division leaders did not have their own way against the Division One high fliers, and it was Formby who had the better possession and chances on the day.
Formby took the lead on the half hour with a good passing move down the left with debutant Jordan Rugg playing a one-two with Paul Speed before slotting home. Runcorn got back into the game on 58 minutes with Ste Latham rising to head a free kick into the corner. The winning goal came 12 minutes from time with Gareth Grant finding himself clear of the defence before keeping his composure to slot past the keeper.
Biggest win of the day for NWCFL sides came at Barnoldswick Town, with the home side reaching the Third Round for the first time after winning 5-2 against Armthorpe Welfare. Barlick took the lead after eight minutes with Stewart Airdrie taking advantage of hesitancy between goalkeeper William Biggs and defender Steven Garner to chip the ball into an unguarded net from 25 yards. On 25 minutes they doubled the lead, a cross to the far post headed onto the bar by Airdrie with Liam Garbutt smashing home the loose ball.
Armthorpe were awarded a penalty in the 34th minute after Joe Lumsden was fouled in the area, with Lumsden himself reducing the arrears. Two minutes into the second half Airdrie restored the two goal lead, collecting a through ball on the edge of the box before finding the net. Barlick hit the post and had a goal disallowed with Armthorpe pulling one back on 68 minutes when full back Berivan Khaled crossed to the far post where Richard Smith powered in a header crept just inside the post.
Despite the one goal lead, Barlick looked comfortable and four minutes from time Harry Thompson collected a pass from Airdrie and shrugged off a challenge before burying a shot under the keeper. In stoppage time Mark Threlfall sealed the win with the fifth when he finished off a move down the right by rounding the keeper and rolling the ball into the empty net.
The final team through are Winsford United, who beat Morpeth United 1-0 at home, the visitors facing a 400-mile round trip for the tie. The only goal of the game came on 36 minutes when Andy Hurst was fouled in the box as he looked to score a rebound from Brian Matthew's drive. Hurst got up and sent goalkeeper Jak Wells the wrong way, putting his spot kick high and right into the roof of the net.
Bootle will be looking to make it six teams through tomorrow evening when they face Thackley at home, Saturday's game called off due to a waterlogged pitch
LEAGUE CHALLENGE CUP SECOND ROUND
Division One leaders AFC Darwen progressed to the Third Round of the League Cup after a 5-1 win at Holker Old Boys. Jon Hession opened the scoring for the visitors in the 17th minutes, firing home from the edge of the area from John Leeming's lay off. Scores were level at the break through with Conor Erdis put clear in the 39th minutes by Ian Swarbrick's precision pass with the forward advancing forward before scoring.
Nine minutes into the second half Darwen regained the lead with Hession grabbing his second of the game with another effort from the edge of the box from Bobby Langford's through ball. The third goal did not arrive until eight minutes from time with a sweeping move culminating in Karl Turner finishing well from 20 yards. Substitute Gary Brown, usually a right back, grabbed his first goal of the season three minutes from time to make it 4-1, with Brown quickly doubling his tally with the fifth goal in stoppage time.
PREMIER DIVISION
Maine Road moved one point clear at the top of the Premier Division after a 2-2 draw at fifth placed Congleton Town. Tom Bailey opened the scoring for the visitors on 38 minutes as he followed up a powerfully hit Tom Bentham effort that the Bears keeper could only parry. A minutes into the second half Congleton levelled with an attempted clearance from Road's keeper finding the leagues top scorer Chris Smith who controlled the ball before hitting a shot that went in off the upright.
12 minutes later Road regained the lead with a fortuitous bit of luck when an attempted clearance from the Bears struck a teammate with the ball rebounding to Bailey in acres of space. Bailey kept his cool and sped forward before slotting his 14th goal of the campaign. Congleton's equaliser came with 16 minutes to go with Louis James' shot from distance taking a wicked deflection which wrong footed the keeper, the ball nestling in the net to gain the Bears a point which moves them up a place to fourth.
With the rest of the top six in Vase action or suffering a postponment, Colne took full advantage with a 7-0 win at Stone Dominoes, a result that extends their unbeaten league run to eight games as they move to within touching distance of the leading pack. Jason Hart's 18th goal of the season after 15 minutes opened the scoring with Dominic Craig doubling the lead five minutes later.
Ben Hoskin increased the lead four minutes into the second half with Craig adding a fourth five minutes later. Craig then claimed the matchball as he slotted home a penalty with 15 minutes remaining, before James Crorken added the sixth goal ten minutes from time. A superb day for Colne was rounded off four minutes later with Craig becoming the second Colne player to score four in an away game this season.
Glossop North End's Jekell and Hyde season continued as they followed up a 5-3 loss in their last game with a comfortable 3-0 win over Ashton Athletic. After a goalless first half Dean McGregor opened the scoring three minutes into the second half. Ten minutes later Mark Battersby doubled the lead for the home side with the hot-shot striker scoring his 11th goal since joining Glossop with 17 minutes remaining.
Alsager Town and Squires Gate's games on Saturday saw them become the first sides to reach the halfway mark this season, and they both registered home wins whilst doing so. Alsager are up to eighth after a 1-0 win over AFC Blackpool, Jed Davies with the only goal 20 minutes from time.
Meanwhile Squires Gate moved out of the relegation places after a 2-0 home win against Stockport Sports.The opening goal came on 66 minutes when Josh Miller crossed to Andrew Harvie at the far post, who cut back inside before unleashing a thunderous shot into the far corner. Less than a minute later it was two, with Stockport losing possession in the centre straight from kick-off with Josh Miller sent clear before firing home.
The Padiham v Runcorn Linnets and St Helens Town v Silsden games were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch
FIRST DIVISION
Abbey Hey won the big game in the First Division as they leapfrogged opponents Ashton Town into second place after a 2-1 home win.
Abbey's began in blistering fashion and were ahead within a minute as the unfortunate Michael Boyle slipped whilst making a clearance with Martin Pilkington smashing the loose ball home. Five minutes later it was 2-0 with a ball over the top sending Pilkington clear with the forward lifting the ball over the onrushing keeper and into the net. Ashton scored what proved a consolation eight minutes from time when Ste Mahoney found substitute Mikey Cummins, the young striker sidefooting the ball into the bottom corner after an excellent first touch set him up.
Newcomers West Didsbury & Chorlton climbed three places to fourth after recording their fourth away win of the season with a 1-0 victory at Daisy Hill. Both teams had chances in a tight first half with West having a lot of the attacking play in the second half. The only goal of the game came four minutes from time through Anthony Potts' second goal of the season.
This result sees Daisy Hill slip to the foot of the table after Eccleshall recorded their first home win of the season in emphatic style with a 5-2 win over Atherton Collieries. Eccleshall took the lead on 18 minutes after Mark Mapperson rose majestically to head home a corner. It should have been 2-0 at half time with Eccleshall awarded a penalty, but Adam Jones's spot kick was saved by Josh Harris.
Eccleshall came out of the blocks quick in the second half and doubled their lead less than a minute in with Tom Wakefield rounding the keeper before slotting home. It was 3-0 on 53 minutes with Wakefield finding Liam Gallagher who ran clear and found the net. Worse was to come for Colls as Wakefield made it 4-0 on 62 minutes with a fine individual effort, beating three players before placing the ball passed the diving Harris.
Atherton pulled one back a minute later with Mike Mulrooney placing a shot into the corner, but two minutes later Wakefield completed his hat trick when he outpaced the Atherton defence to slide the ball passed Harris. Wakefield has transformed Eccleshall with the goal his 9th in the last four games. Atherton grabbed a consolation in stoppage time with Paul Townsend burying a shot into the corner.
The other Atherton side fared no better in the day's only other game, losing 2-1 at home to Northwich Villa side. Cameron Clark put Villa ahead after 18 minutes with Philip Clorley doubling the lead after 67 minutes. Lewis Coyle scored a consolation for LR with a minute remaining.
The Chadderton v Irlam, Nelson v Rochdale Town and Oldham Boro v Leek CSOB games were all postponed due to waterlogged pitches
RESERVE DIVISION
Cheadle are up to fifth place in the Reserve Division after a 5-1 home win against Nelson. Meanwhile Runcorn Linnets remain the only unbeaten side on their travels, winning 1-0 at West Didsbury & Chorlton.
The AFC Darwen v New Mills and Wigan Robin Park v Padiham games were both postponed due to a waterlogged pitch
Apologies for the lack of a weekend update last weekend. I was away catching some winter sun!
Today's images courtesy of the official websites of Maine Road FC, Glossop North End and Ashton Town
