Match Reports - Season 2009/2010

POS	Division 1	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Horwich Victoria	26	20	2	4	103	43	60	62
2	Castle Hill	26	20	1	5	84	35	49	61
3	Rossendale Ams Res	26	16	2	8	77	44	33	50
4	Prairie United	26	15	2	9	81	48	33	47
5	Hindley Juniors	26	12	6	8	67	53	14	42
6	Thornleigh	26	14	0	12	59	64	-5	42
7	Mostonians	26	13	1	12	65	55	10	40
8	Broughton Ams	26	11	4	11	57	61	-4	37
9	Ainsworth	26	11	2	13	52	85	-33	35
10	Old Blackburnians Res	26	10	4	12	58	53	5	34
11	Little Lever SC Res	26	9	5	12	55	53	2	32
12	Tyldesley United	26	9	2	15	46	65	-19	29
13	Bolton Lads Club	26	3	1	22	40	113	-73	10
14	Lymm	26	2	2	22	32	104	-72	8

Picture of 1st Team in their 2009/10 kit kindly sponsored by William Clark Partnership.

Back l to r: Doug Birch, Scott Iddon, Matt Handley, Ashley Butterworth, James Mottley, Adam Stone, Rob Lever, Neil Eccles, Matt Harrington, Paul Coulton.
Front l to r: Matt Finney, Scott Mitchell, Sean Cummins, Andy Horn, Ryan Alston.

1st Team Fixtures + Results, Scorers and Match Reports (where submitted).

Sat 22nd Aug 2009	V	Prairie United (a) 1 - 6 (ht.0-3) scorers : N. Eccles
		Major changes in personnel from last season left us with a significant hurdle to overcome as we approached the new campaign. This game gave us a clear idea how high the hurdles will be. We started badly and were 3 down after 30 minutes. This did improve before half time and for the 30 minutes after and we did start to play some decent football. Eccles pulled a goal back and we went close again, but we failed to find the net again and lack of fitness told as Prairie pushed on and ran out easy winners. DB
Sat 29th Aug 2009	V	Ainsworth (h) 4 - 4 (ht.2-2) scorers : N. Eccles 2, R. Taylor, M. Finney
		Overall this was much better than last week, but it remained a real Jeckyl and Hyde performance. Going forward we looked continually dangerous, but defending at set pieces was disaster and this undid much of the good work. As last week we conceded a poor goal within 5 minutes, this time a corner was allowed pass right across the 6 yard box before being tapped in. We showed character and with a Cummins and Harford having a grip on midfield, Ryan and Alex Alston were able to exploit the space down the wings. Eccles and Mottley both went close , chances came and went, but eventually a ball broke free and Eccles was there to knock it home. Having done the hard work we conceded another soft goal, then continued to play some great passing football and could have had at least a couple more. As it happened Eccles converted the hardest of the chances, rattling the ball home from 15 yards to bring us level at the break. 10 minutes into the 2nd half we conceded yet another soft goal from a corner, and so we had another mountain to climb. We got stronger as the half progressed. Ricky Taylor came on and picked up the pace down the right, we hit the bar again, a clear handball was turned down, but eventually a long effort from Taylor beat the keeper and we were back in it. Matt Finney joined the game and with 15 minutes we at last got our noses in front. Cummins released Alston down the left and his pinpoint cross was met by Finney at the back post. That should have been it, but with 2 mins to go a free kick was defended boy scout style. Management pulled out even more hair - but at least we are on the board with a point. DB
Tue. 1st Sept 2009	V	Bolton Lads Club (h) 3 - 1 (ht.1-0) scorers : J. Mottley, N. Eccles, M. Finney
		Following the first game debacle we continue to make progress. Organisation is starting to emerge from chaos and good football is starting to flow. Key to the improvement is a much sharper approach to the business of defending and this was apparent from the very start of this game. With the back four providing a solid base, Cummins and Harford began to push on and this in turn created space for the wide men and Mottley and Eccles up front. The first goal came on 20 minutes as Mottley found himself in space and finished decisively from 15 yards. It should have been 2 when Cummins broke free and rounded the keeper, but then was thwarted as a (nameless) colleague jumped in from an offside position to finish. We were by now playing decent football and after the break, as the game became stretched, Alston and Taylor exerted a much greater influence to expose the Bolton defence. From such a break and the resultant panic in the Bolton defence, Eccles was on hand to extend the lead and settle nerves. Finney came on and made an immediate impact, within 5 mins he was on hand to turn in a cross from Taylor, then saw a 20 yard drive from the edge of the box evade the keeper - only to rattle the crossbar and bounce free. With a couple of minutes to go and as the light faded, Bolton did get a goal by capitalising on a loose ball in our box, but we saw the game out without further incident. DB
Sat. 12th Sept 2009 LFA Cup Rd 1	V	Rochdale St. Clements (a) 0 - 3 (ht.0-0) scorers : -
		A cup game against a team joint top of our Premier Division promised to be challenging – and so it was- but for all but 10 minutes we performed extremely well – and indeed had our own chances to get a positive result. We started in a positive frame of mind and Finney and Eccles both went close with a couple of half chances . Alex Alston in particular looked dangerous as we worked an opening down the left. As the half went on Rochdale settled into a pattern, but Owen and Harrington looked very sharp in central defence and Coulton in goals showed excellent anticipation and handling to mop up anything that came through. 0-0 at halftime seemed fair reflection of the balance of play and our focus had to be on starting the next 45 minutes with the same level of concentration. This we did . Finney had another looping effort that dropped just the wrong side of the post then when again in space shot (well) when a pass might have been the better option. We then lost concentration for 10 minutes and in that time the tie was put out of our reach. Despite this we came back well and continued to look dangerous for the last 20 minutes- Eccles and the Alston bros looking sharper with each passing game . DB
Sat. 19th Sept 2009 Cup Rd 1	V	Bolton Lads Club (h) 5 - 1 (ht.2-1) scorers : M. Finney 4, J. Mottley
NB: All 4 teams won today.		This was something of a personal triumph for Matt Finney as he continues to demonstrate the advantage of being in the right place at the right time. Less of a triumph for Sean Cummins who, to the bemusement of the crowd wandered off the pitch on the 30 minute mark muttering something about his new car and needing to go to work. A form of concussion was diagnosed (though we know not where from). After an overnight stay in hospital Sean was thankfully released without any problem. The game started with the teams well balanced. Bolton had quick forwards who for a while stretched the Broughton defence and it was something against the run of play when Finney was on hand to latch on to a loose ball and finish with aplomb. Bolton came back into the game, though a long through ball should have been deposited well into the next field – but instead the keeper got caught out and Bolton were level. Following the above mentioned problem with Sean, Lewis Treacy came into the game and looked immediately very comfortable. We started to create chances. Eccles had a good shot well blocked, Ryan Alston skimmed the post but the lead was restored by a great finish from Finney to convert a cross from Alex Alston. Following the break Broughton were pretty much in total control. Butterworth and Treacy ran midfield and the defence mopped up anything that came through. Finney scored 2 further goals and Mottley – who came on to further terrorise the Bolton defence – scored the fourth with a thunderous finish to a Ryan Alston cross. Butterworth hit the bar, we had 2 more goals disallowed and the whole affair ended on a highly enjoyable level. DB
Sat. 26th Sept 2009	V	Rossendale Ams Res (a) 5 - 6 (ht.2-4) scorers : J. Mottley 2, A. Butterworth, A. Alston, N. Eccles
		A crazy score line that pretty much sums up our performance. Going forward we are continually dangerous , but defensively we play well for long periods but then lose concentration for short but critical bursts. This concentration element is a team thing from front to back Rossendale started the game playing good soccer through midfield whilst we had to work hard to stay in the game. This we did and began to get some possession though frankly we were not playing well. Our first period of good joined up play led to us taking the lead, Alex Alston latching on to a pin point pass from Eccles to finish with class. This and a Butterworth shot from 20 yards turned out to be one of our few highlights in the first half as we went in 4-2 down. Rossendale had been clearly on top, but for long periods we defended well and kept the play in midfield then on 3 occasions simply lost concentration. It didn’t help that Rossendale turned pretty much every chance into a goal Changes in position and personnel had a desired effect after the break and for the next 35 minutes Broughton played some outstanding football. Mottley brought some focus to the attack and with that target to work with the midfield started to push on. Eccles reduced the gap with a shot into the far corner, we hit the bar, we hit the post and the turnaround was made complete by 2 good goals from Mottley, the second only 10 minutes from the end , Having grabbed the lead we should have shut up shop. That we didn’t do this effectively is the combined fault of players and management, but in the last 10 minutes Rossendale in turn grasped the initiative for the only time in the half, and the rest is now very depressing history. - DB
Sat 3rd Oct 2009	V	Horwich Victoria (h) 2 - 3 (ht.1-0) scorers : A. Alston, J. Mottley
		Another good performance against a good side - that again finished in disappointment. Against a team that had been scoring freely this season we adjusted our formation to afford more protection to the defence. For the first hour the system worked well. Butterworth held position as holding midfield well and this allowed the other midfielders to push on with confidence. Mottley was an effective front man and whilst we played good football through midfield, Horwich began to resort to a long ball game. The defence coped well and we took a deserved lead after 30 minutes. Neil Eccles out-jumped the Horwich defence and Alex Alston latched onto the loose ball to finish well. The second half started in the same fashion and things remained under control up to the hour mark when a good move from Horwich led to the equaliser. Horwich began to look stronger, but we fought back and Mottley gained a just reward for his efforts when he burst through a square defence and coolly pushed it past the keeper. The game seemed to turn when Butterworth had to retire after being on the end of a pretty wild challenge. Horwich began to play with much more steel and we began to tire. We should still have held on, but we conceded an equalizer with only 2 minutes to go and then, following a goalmouth melee, Horwich forced in the winner 4 minutes into extra time. We deserved better and our season will turn soon. - DB
Sat. 10th Oct 2009 Cup Rd 2	V	Rochdale St. Clements (a) 2 - 1 (ht.1-0) scorers : J. Mottley 2
		Another cup fixture and another visit to Rochdale from the Premier league. Last time we played well but a careless 10 mins cost us. This time 120 mins concentration and effort were matched with an effective strategy, no little skill and a hint of luck to produce a great result. Rochdale began by playing the more controlled passing game through midfield but Handley, Horn, Lever and Harrington looked especially sharp in controlling the runners and restricting Rochdale's possession to only a few real chances. Coulton asked your correspondent to mention his outstanding saves - and this I am happy to do - especially a stunning one handed effort from a point blank range - and buoyed by this defensive strength we started to create space and push on. Mottley went close then Finney found space and rattled the bar from 20 yards. At half time we were 1-0 down however, the only real moment of weakness punished by a clinical finish. Our midfield began to exercise more control in the second half and whilst Rochdale had more possession, we looked the more dangerous going forward. With Slater protecting the back 4, Cummins (replaced by Scott Mitchell) Ryan Alston and Eccles pushed on and we got our reward with 10 minutes to go. Mottley broke free and found Alston. The cross field ball found Finney in the box and a wild challenge led to a penalty that Mottley converted. Extra time continued in the same vein. Coulton pulled out another great save, we hit the bar, they hit the bar - but the more that time went on the more dangerous we looked. With 5 minutes to go the breakthrough came. Mitchell and Eccles combined to release Mottley and a devastating burst of pace and a cool finish saw Broughton into the next round. - DB
Sat. 17th Oct 2009	V	Thornleigh (a) 1 - 4 (ht.1-2) scorers : N. Eccles
		Another one that got away. A familiar story in which we played well for the majority of the game – certainly well enough to win the game- but careless play was again our undoing. As a team we were collectively strong for 120 minutes last week. This week, with the same formation and players, we were 2 goals behind within 15 minutes and again chasing the game. We made a decent fist of it and for the next hour we looked dangerous going forward and secure at the back. By the half time break we were back in the game, Eccles having finished a flowing move that cut the Thornleigh defence to pieces. Following the break we continued playing good football but without being able to apply the killer touch. Slater came close, hitting the post from 20 yards and the keeper saved well from Finney’s follow up effort. Good chances came, and went, but then as it seemed we must draw level, a speculative lob into the box was poorly dealt with and the game was gone. - DB
Sat 24th Oct 2009	V	Rossendale Ams Res (h) 2 - 2 (ht.2-1) scorers : N. Eccles 2
		Well this was better, not great, but better! Having recently lost by the ridiculous score of 6-5 to this lot, our first aim was to maintain a decent shape. Matt Handley in central midfield gave us a little steel and though Rossendale had more of the possession over the game, we did look reasonably secure for all but the first 20 minutes. Against a strong wind we could have been 2 down within this period, but for once this season we had a little luck and we seemed to have weathered the storm until a mistake let in a Rossendale forward to put us behind. We hit straight back and Owen released the ball into the path of Sean Cummins. Cummins drove into the box and when he was upended by a flying tackle, Eccles stepped up to drive home the penalty with confidence. Eccles followed this up 10 minutes later when he picked up on a loose, ball outpaced the Rossendale defence, rounded the keeper and knocked it home. We looked much more secure in the second half and anything that got through was collected confidently by Coulton. It looked like we would see the game out as the game was played out largely in midfield, but our one defensive error of the half allowed the wide man to wriggle free of 3 attendant defenders and his pinpoint cross was despatched and they claimed a point. - DB
Sat. 31st Oct 2009	V	O. Blackburnians Res (a) 1 - 0 (ht.1-0) scorers : A. Owens
		We had a number of absences (as usual), but you would never have known it as as we prevailed with a determined performance and our first clean sheet of the season [which always makes the manager happy!!]. Matt Handley was outstanding in the holding midfield role, but the defensive qualities of the whole team are worthy of note. The plan was to ensure that we restricted the bad guys to as few chances as possible, but push forward as a team to get support up to Eccles as the front man. We rode our luck for 10 minutes either side of half time, but that apart Pomfret and Mitchell in midfield held their shape well and this allowed Alston and Finney to get forward. The decisive moment came 5 minutes before the break, Adrian Owens rose majestically to meet a corner, made contact and the ball flew into the far corner. Rob Cooper came on early in the 2nd half and looking fully the part began to use his pace to stretch the Blacks defence. Alston came close and Cooper was too honest when challenged from behind when through on goal, but that apart we closed the game out with confidence. - DB
Sat. 7th Nov 2009	V	Lymm (a) 0 - 0 (ht.0-0) scorers : -
		Well there are 2 good things came out of this game. First, we got the away game at Lymm out of the way, and we again restricted the opposition to no goals and few chances and after our record at the start of the season, this is a major step forward. On the downside, we should have won this game and we really didn't play with any coherence, but considering we again had 4 personnel changes from last week I guess we shouldn't be too surprised. The first half was a pretty dour stalemate. We never really looked threatened, but nor did we really look like doing much at the other end either.. A few changes were made at the break and for the next 25 minutes we did look more likely to make a break through. Monks released Alston and from the resultant chaos caused by his cross Eccles lashed the ball over a gaping goal. 5 mins later Cooper missed a harder, but still presentable chance and but for a few half chances that was pretty much that. Even when Lymm had a man dismissed we didn't seem able to really apply any significant pressure and so, with a point tucked securely under our arm we trouped off to again sample the delights of the M60 in the dismal dark. - DB
Sat. 21st Nov 2009	V	Little Lever SC Res (a) 1 - 3 (ht.0-1) scorers : N. Eccles
		Another annoyingly familiar tale of a decent performance that failed to produce a positive result. The pitch was playable, but heavy and slippy but despite this we got off to a confident start. Defensively we looked sound and we started to create chances by working our way around the back of the Lever back four. Mottley looked sharp and we really should have been 2 goals up by half time. The best chance was created by the persistence and pace of Mottley, but then he dented the bar when a miss hit would have done the job. Having spurned this and other opportunities we went in at half time one goal down - a mis-hit cross swirling into the top corner. Such is our luck this year ! A second goal conceded just after the break could have put heads down, but instead we continued with the positive football and with 30 minutes to go Neil Eccles was on hand to head firmly into the far corner and give us hope. Decent and half chances continued to come and go. Positive build up play with Mitchell and the Alstons prominent continued to create half chances - but with no real cutting edge the Lever defence continued to look relatively comfortable. Then, with 10 minutes to go our occasional defensive frailties re-emerged and the a Lever forward produced a class finish – and that was that !! - DB
Sat. 5th Dec 2009	V	Prairie United (h) 4 - 1 (ht.2-1) scorers : J. Mottley 2, M. Finney, N. Eccles
		Eccles hits a ton! Neil Eccles reached a significant personal 100 goal milestone to cap a fine team performance against a team that had previously hammered us in the first game of the season. The crowd had barely settled into their seats before we were off to a flying start. Finney pressured the Prairie defence into a mistake, laid the ball into the path of James Mottley and the ball was buried into the bottom corner. All this and only 26 seconds gone!! We looked secure for most of the first half and without looking fluid still restricting Prairie to only a couple of chances whilst continually looking dangerous on the break. Prairie drew level from one of their two chances, Paul Coulton saving well to deny them anything from the second, and once we tightened up again we were back on the offensive. Matt Finney playing as front man linked play together well and having missed one good chance and having had a seemingly good goal ruled out for offside then put Broughton back into the lead with a fine finish just before the break We played much better in second half as the team seemed to grow in belief for the system we were looking to play. Lever and Harrington in centre defence dominated their opposition. Full backs Iddon and Horn started to raid down the wings and this allowed us to hold possession higher up the field and as a consequence, Ryan Alston and Scott Mitchell were able to get on the ball and pick apart the defence. With 20 mins to go Neil Eccles made the game safe with a 20 yard swerving drive the was worthy of such a significant event and Mottley rounded off a fine performance when sprinting clear of the defence and beating the keeper with ease. Not mentioned above Matt Handley, who was simply outstanding. DB
Sat 12th Dec 2009	V	Lymm (h) 4 - 0 (ht.2-0) scorers : J. Mottley 3, N. Eccles
		Having found ourselves in the unusual - nay unique - situation of having a full squad we set about continuing the recent improved form against a team that had hit 6 last week. The initial stages were relatively even - if somewhat lacking in action, but this changed after 20 mins when Handley found Mottley with great through ball and our top scorer used his pace to take the ball past his marker, cut into the box and leave the keeper stranded to give Broughton the lead. Finney then went close but then Lymm were well on top for the next 15 minutes. Defensively we worked hard, but we had to rely on keeper Paul Coulton to stand strong and pull off a couple of great blocks to maintain our advantage. Having weathered the storm however we did finish the half on top. Eccles Mitchell and Ryan Alston began to link well. Chances were created and then with the half almost over Mottley again terrorised the Lymm defence and we went in with a 2 goal lead. As last week, we came on stronger in the second half. Lever and Harrington in central defence dealt with pretty much anything that came through the middle. Andy Horn had his best game so far and as fitness returns, Scott Mitchell exerts more influence in each passing game. James Mottley coolly despatched a penalty to make the game safe with 20 mins to go and Eccles capped an enjoyable affair with a late fourth. DB
Sat. 30th Jan 2010	V	Old Blackburnians Res (h) 1 - 0 (ht.0-0) scorers : J. Mottley
		Our frugal approach to defending continued with a 4th clean sheet in the last 6 games. It was needed, as we didn't really play with any fluidity and it more a question of hanging in there till things improved. Coulton was called on to make sharp save after 30 mins and we had a bit of last ditch stuff, but then that's what good defences do. A belated switch to push Mottley up front seemed to free up our pattern of play and we looked much more incisive in the second half.. With Eccles and Handley providing the grunt and grind in midfield, Sean Cummins was able to push on and start unpicking the Blacks defence and slowly we got on top. Matt Finney saw his drive well saved, Mottley and Ryan Alston went close and Cummins spurned a couple of opportunities before Mottley finally forced a goal home to win the points. - DB
Sat. 6th Feb 2010	V	Mostonians (a) 3 - 1 (ht.1-0) scorers : S. Cummins, N. Eccles, J. Mottley
		This was a hard fought encounter in which Mostonians had a slight edge in the level of possession, but our superior team ethic, work rate and plan won the day. Mostonians lively forwards were a handful, but Rob Lever and Matt Harrington had outstanding games to nullify the threat - or at least keep them at bay - and from there we were able to push on. We survived a tough initial 20 minutes, but slowly started to come into the game as things settled down. Mottley found himself one on one, but lofted the ball over both keeper and bar, however soon after we took the lead with the most incisive move of the game, Finney laying the ball off and Cummins burst into the box to finish well. The 30 minutes either side of half time were something of a stalemate. Mostonians were unable to break down our resolute defence and as they pushed forward gaps started to appear at the back. Mostonians did finally get a deserved reward for their pressure and endeavour, forcing home a scrappy goal from a corner, but by that time Eccles had extended our lead, latching onto a loose ball and hitting a screaming drive into the top corner. The opposition's goal was effectively their last real threat, Bowerman made his second appearance at this level and extinguished the threat from a speedy wingman - and we ended the game in compete control. Mottley who worked unselfishly all game (and was by now breathing from orifices not designed for the purpose) summoned up one last burst of energy, collected the ball on halfway, rounded the last defender and keeper to make things safe and at the death, Finney was unlucky to see his goal bound header cleared off the line. - DB
Sat. 13th Feb 2010	V	Little Lever SC Res (h) 1 - 0 (ht.0-0) scorers : J. Mottley
		We started the season losing valuable points by conceding poor last minute goals. It is another sign of progress that we now generally end games the strongest and grabbing the points. So it was today. Late changes put Ryan Alston into centre midfield, but Alston with a dynamic performance from Sean Cummins and a commanding defensive display from Matt Handley gave us a solid base that never really looked like being penetrated all game. We could, probably should, have been 2 clear by halftime. Cummins screwed a chance wide from 10 yards after a great move. Alston and Mottley cleverly engineered a move from a free kick - that saw Alston's drive hit the bar and bounce down and clear, and other half chances came and went. Lever looked stronger in the second half but we held our nerve and still created opportunities. The game turned in our favour with number of positional changes with 20 minutes to go and with Eccles (sobered up and pointed in the right direction) we looked more dangerous. The game looked to be a certain draw, but with a minute to go Eccles pressured the Lever defence into a mistake, Cummins latched onto loose ball and his shot spilled loose from the keeper. That man Motters reacted quickest and we retired to find ourselves in heady fourth place. DB
Sat. 20th Feb 2010	V	Castle Hill (a) 2 - 4 (ht.1-1) scorers : M. Finney, J. Mottley
		Table topping Castle Hill showed that their current position is no fluke, but we matched them well for 45 minutes before being undone by an act of skulduggery. In the first half forceful play from Castle penned us back in our half for 20 minutes but as usual we were able to rely on solid defending to maintain our toehold in the game. As the half progressed we started to get around and behind their defence and it was no surprise that we took the lead , Mottley breaking free and Finney finished well from his pass. We went close again as first Bynoe shot just over, then Finney just failed to connect with a whipped cross from Bynoe. 2 events in the last 5 minutes of the half shaped the rest of the game. First Castle equalized after a weak cross took 2 lucky deflections to outwit Coulton in goals, then at a corner Coulton was felled by an elbow in an unprovoked assault. A very bloody and dazed keeper had to be replaced at half time, Lever took over in nets and for the next 30 minutes we struggled to stay in the game as we tried to regain our balance and we conceded a further 2 goals in that period. Cummins performed heroically in midfield, the stats would say he ran at least 10 miles, tackled and kicked everything and everybody in sight and slowly under his example we came back into the game. Finney just failed to convert a great chance that probably should have gone in and then Mottley cut across the defence to glide the ball home. At that point we looked likely to get something from the game, but with 5 to go a small error from our stand in keeper was punished - and there was no way back. Thanks to Rob Lever for a great effort in nets. - DB
Sat. 6th Mar 2010	V	Castle Hill (h) 0 - 3 (ht.0-1) scorers :
		This return fixture against table topping Castle Hill proved no more fruitful than the initial game 2 weeks ago. Nobody played badly or failed to give 100%, and no goal was given away cheaply, but in reality we were given a lesson in the art of possession football. We reached the break a only a goal down - and that only conceded in the last 5 minutes, but we failed to control the ball high enough up-field to pose any real threat and other than 2 half chances for Mottley we were never in the game. A change in formation at half time did get us a little more onto the front foot. Finney had the ball in the net only to be ruled offside and Eccles and Alston were able to get forward more, but the price to be paid was a more exposed back line. Handley as usual was a rock in defence and Adam Stone pulled off a number of excellent saves, but pressure told and the score-line doesn't lie. - DB
Sat. 13th Mar 2010	V	Tyldesley United (a) 1 - 3 (ht.0-1) scorers : M. Finney
		A less than satisfactory build up to the game was carried into the match and after a jittery start we found ourselves a goal down after only 5 minutes. The finish by the opposition forward was first class, but our contribution to the goal was less so. The pitch was dry and the wind strong, but still we looked less comfortable than we have since the first games of the season and only briefly played with any coherence. As the half progressed we started to pose more of a threat - but again mainly through individual efforts rather than co-ordinated play. Our misery was compounded just after the break as Tyledsley made the most of another period of scrappy play to leave Coulton powerless and exposed – and we were 2 down. Injuries forced some changes and for a while we started to play like we should and can. Finally we started to make the ball do the work and from one such joined up move, Finney burst into the box to finish well following good work by Mottley. For the rest of the half Broughton looked the most likely to score, but the final ball and shot were too often not quite good enough, and we conceded a late goal to finish the tie. Chaps - It needs to be better next week. DB
Sat. 20th Mar 2010	V	Ainsworth (a) 2 - 2 (ht.2-0) scorers : M. Finney 2
		A game of 2 halves as the pundits would say - and largely dictated by the greatest slope on a pitch that I have played on in 35 years of senior football. We played down the slope in the first half and after a dodgy first 15 minutes needed to (literally) find our feet we started to look the better side Murch, drafted in because of yet more mass absences, started to buzz around in midfield and Alston seemed the more assured in linking together back to front. Mottley for once seemed out of sorts, but still was able to have direct hand in both our goals during the first half period. First he confused the keeper with the lack of pace in his direct free kick - and Finney reacted first to bury the loose ball, then Finney was on hand yet again to finish after Mottley’s powerful shot was again spilled by the keeper. The second half was a different matter. Ainsworth started on the front foot and apart from some bright counter attacking play we were under pressure for almost all the second 45 minutes. The entire team put in a solid defensive display. Lever and Owens in the centre of defence, and Coulton in goals should take a lot of credit, but midfield and the full backs also worked tirelessly to keep things under control. Eventually pressure told and Ainsworth pulled a goal back on the hour mark. Harford and Fannon came on to provide an injection of energy and we did start to fight back. Finney was denied a hat trick by a dubious offside decision and Eccles shot just wide after being released by good work from Fannon. With 20 minutes to go a further injury saw Birch make his first appearance on the season at full back. It would be fair to say that this change was unlikely to strike fear into the opposition, however the defence remained sound until with 2 minutes to go Ainsworth for once found time on the edge of the box and a low hard shot skimmed off the surface to draw them level and conclude a fair result for both teams. -DB
Sat. 27th Mar 2010	V	Thornleigh (h) 3 - 1 (ht.1-0) scorers : J. Mottley 2, M. Finney
		We got revenge for an earlier loss to Thornleigh with a performance that started as a battle and ended as a demonstration of free flowing football. We started the game with a bare 11 due to absences and a sub who couldn’t be bothered to turn up. Luckily (for us) the 2nds were cancelled and by the 45 min mark we had a full bench and a crowd of supporters. Thornleigh have a couple of tricky forwards and for the first half we gave them too much respect and consequently were sat too far back for comfort. As usual we defended well and relied on “on the break” football to create chances. Coulton made a couple of fine saves to keep things in order and as the half went on we threatened more, eventually taking the lead after Finney reacted well to redirect a powerful, but wayward, shot from Mottley into the bottom corner. After the break we played with much more confidence and started to over run Thornleigh through midfield. Fannon in particular started to create havoc and Eccles and Alston found time and space up field. Ironically Thornleigh equalized on the hour mark (from a corner, but with more than a suspicion of a foul on our keeper), but our heads stayed up and the rewards came. Soon after Mottley cleverly rolled his defender and having broken into the box, the defender decided to dive on the ball rather than let him shoot. The ref benevolently let the defender stay on, but Mottley coolly dispatched the spot kick. Other well worked chances came and went. At our end Coulton was required to make one more outstanding save and Butterworth was on hand to clear off the line, but finally we made it safe with 10 minutes to go. Coulton launched a mighty kick downfield. Mottley outpaced the defence and then as the ball, Mottley and the Thornleigh keeper arrived in the box at the same time something had to give. The keeper fumbled and Mottley gratefully finished off the game. DB
Mon. 29th Mar 2010	V	Hindley Juniors (h) 0 - 2 (ht.0-0) scorers : -
		On a foul and sh!*ty night we allowed ourselves to be outgunned by a team that we should have beaten. It hasn’t happened for a long while - which is a sign of progress since the start of the season, but it still shouldn’t happen. We started well and played some good football for the first half and though the game was goal-less at the break we were confident of finishing the game on top. Instead our tempo dropped dramatically, we misfired badly through midfield to attack and the ball started to be given away cheaply. The 2 goals conceded were the first cheap goals given away since the early season and though we tried personnel and formation changes it just wasn’t going to be our day. - DB
Sat. 10th Apr 2010	V	Mostonians (h) 3 - 1 (ht.0-0) scorers : G. Heywood 2, N. Eccles
		We completed a deserved double over mid-table rivals despite the usual batch of enforced changes. Heywood up front gave a degree of control to our attacking play - allowing midfield to join up and join in with passing movements in the final third of the field. Chances came and Cummins, Finney, Bynoe and Eccles all went close and perhaps should have gone closer. Determined defending from Mitchell and Lever and hard work from midfield retricted Mostonians to just a couple of long range efforts, and the first half finished goal-less. We were less effective for the first 20 minutes of the second half, but eventually the composure came back and a fine move involving Bynoe and Heywood ended with Heywood burying a left foot shot past the keeper. Mostonians equalised against the run of play when from a corner, the ball spilled loose and a Mostonians forward was first to react. By now we were well on top, but it took a 30 yard swirling drive from Eccles to restore our lead and the game was made made safe as Finney skipped past 2 defenders before laying the ball into the path of Heywood to apply the decisive finish. - DB
Sat. 17th Apr 2010	V	Bolton Lads Club (a) 8 - 0 (ht.1-0) scorers : N. Eccles 2, S. Cummins 2, J. Mottley 3, M. Finney
		A strange game this. For the first half Bolton competed well. True we had a number of personnel and positional changes but we really struggled to impose ourselves on the game and key players looked out of sorts and lethargic. Neil Eccles put us in front with an almost carbon copy of last weeks 30 yard screamer and Eccles and Cummins worked well to keep us on the front foot, but otherwise the 2 Matts, Harrington and Handley, were the 2 guys in central defence who took the eye. The second half was a whole different affair. Mottley woke up, Finney switched to central attack became much more effective and Gavigan (having missed most of the season with injury) really started to buzz. As a result a goal fest followed and your correspondent struggled to keep up. We continually scythed though the defence with great football and Mottely and Finney benefited and delivered cool finishes. Cummins and Eccles capped outstanding performances with further opportunist goals and the whole affair finished on an really enjoyable level. -DB
Mon. 19th Apr 2010	V	Hindley Juniors (a) 1 - 4 (ht.0-3) scorers : M. Finney
		A classic night match scenario. Late start to our journey due to work commitments. We got lost due to dim witted manager, rush on pitch, no warm up, 2 down, key midfielder injured and only 20 minutes gone!! You, dear reader know the way it works. In fairness Hindley looked a decent side and certainly played well with tricky forwards and enthusiastic support from midfield and fullbacks. Cummins injury after 20 minutes forced a formation change to 4-4-2 and 2 minutes later Mitchells boots went the way of the first 20 minutes and collapsed. Whilst he was off having them patched up a Hindley midfielder strolled majestically (and unopposed) through our midfield and defence and we had our 2 goal deficit. Things stabilized a little to the half time mark and the second period was much more pleasing from our perspective. We started to play with the enthusiasm, determination and ability that had been missing in the first half. Full backs overlapped, midfield and wide men linked up and up front Finney, who scored, had his best game in a Broughton shirt. Unfair to pick out anybody from this performance. Collectively we were as good in the second half as we were bad in the first - but the second half shows how we can play. - DB
Sat. 24th Apr 2010	V	Tyldesley United (h) 2 - 1 (ht.1-1) scorers : G. Heywood 2
		With time, as memories dim we will recall this as a good comfortable victory. Good it was, but comfortable it wasn't. The first half went well, midfield pushing the ball around with confidence and Heywood providing a skilled focal point to keep things flowing. Ryan Alston in particular benefited and threatened down the flank, Sean Cummins continued to prompt, Finney, Eccles and Heywood all went close . The breakthrough when it came was simple if messy. A high ball into the box bounced about and Heywood forced it home. Tyldesley equalised near the half time mark, poor marking leaving a clear chance that left Coulton with no hope. The second half was a battle. True we did create some chances, but for most of it we were on the back foot and reliant on solid defending. Cummins and Eccles were tireless, Harrington and Handley put in well timed challenges on a regular basis and when all else failed, Coulton performed heroics to save a penalty. The winning strike again was simple. Eccles rose well to head on a throw and Heywood volleyed in the loose ball from 5 yards. Solid. - DB
Mon. 26th Apr 2010 Cup Rd 3	V	Bury GS (a) 1 - 1 (ht.0-0) Won 3-0 on pens (see details in report below) scorer : S. Cummins
		Another Monday and another night game – however we arrived in good time for this one and entered the game in a relaxed mood despite the refs attempt to have us kick off before we were ready. A number of changes had again been enforced, but you would never have known as we played well and more than matched our Prem league opponents. Bell and Monks in defence and holding midfield respectively rolled back the years and played like men in their mid thirties - and midfield benefited from their controlled passing from defence. As a result Alston, Rob Cooper and Seddon found space down the flanks and the whole set up looked jolly organized. Eccles, Finney and Seddon all went close as we exerted more final third pressure on opponents than we have managed for some time. Bury had their share of possession, but their attacking options seemed to be taken much more from the Watford book of tactics than we expected and Rob Lever had his best game of the season to snuff out most attempts. The second half continued in the same vein, though with Bury seeing more of the ball and a positional switch amongst the Bury forwards causing a little more anxiety. Despite this we looked fairly sound until a fast break and an unlucky deflection saw the ball trickle into our net. We didn’t give up, efforts were renewed and new blood introduced. Iddon and Grundy revitalized the left side (capitalizing on Butterworth and Alston's fine efforts in the first 60 mins) but it was surprise inclusion Michael Bowerman who made a key input to get us back into the game. Straying forward into advanced territory not normally seen too much by Scotsmen, he picked up a loose ball and launched a shot goal ward. Finney controlled it, swivelled and shot again and the ball, though blocked, fell at the feet of Cummins – who burst the net. Literally burst it actually – though we suspect this was more a comment on the condition of the nets than the power in the shot. Eccles and Bell both came close to winning it with headed attempts and Bury spurned a gilt edged opportunity with 2 minutes to go, but with honours even and the light fading we went straight to penalties. Our boys did themselves proud in the penalty shoot-out: Bury went first - Coulton saved. Cummins lashed his effort into the bottom right corner. Bury went again - and hit the post. Eccles lashed his into the left corner. Bury went again - and again Coulton saved. Monks stepped up and scored - though not sure how as I had my eyes closed. Dennis and Rob – our loyal travelling supporter base went wild, and in a fine spirits we wandered home. - DB
Wed. 28th Apr 2010 Cup QF	V	Chew Moor Brook (h) 2 - 3 (ht.0-2) scorers : N. Eccles 2
		We came up against our second set of Premier league opponents within the space of 3 days and whereas the previous game against Bury had seen us exert a good deal of control from the start, this time we were under pressure from the first whistle. Through midfield and especially down the flanks we were too far away from our opponents, and grateful for the space, Chew Brook weaved some impressive patterns with their one touch play. Only hard work by centre midfield and central defence (in which Bell was outstanding) kept us in the game. It couldn’t last, and we conceded 2 goals within 10 minutes after 20 and 30 minutes. Strangely this seemed to spur us on and a couple of positional changes help tighten things up – so we looked less likely to concede albeit still unlikely to threaten their keeper. The half time break was always going to be pivotal. Everybody remained positive and as one, and a change to 4-4-2 plus a motivational team talk sent us out with renewed purpose. The game was transformed as we started to play much more of the game in their half. Defensive frailties were exposed and for much of the game Broughton looked to be the team from the higher Division. It would be unfair to single out people as all 13 from the team made positive contributions. Eccles began the fight back after 60 minutes. Eccles then levelled the score as he again caused mayhem between keeper and defence. For the last 20 minutes the game could have gone either way with chances at either end. In the final analysis it was probably our only bit of slack play of the whole second 45 minutes that cost us the game as a Chew Brook forward broke free and his cross left Coulton outnumbered and exposed. Hopes were lifted when Finney put in a blinding finish from an Iddon cross, but he was ruled marginally (and correctly) offside – and that was that. Thanks to the team for an uplifting 2nd half performance – and to those who came to support. - DB
Tue. 4th May 2010	V	Horwich Victoria (a) 2 - 7 (ht.-) scorers : M. Finney, N. Eccles
		Match Report will appear here when submitted.

Click one of these links to see Table, Results & Match Report for that team.
1st Team - 2nd Team - 3rd Team - 4th Team - Vets / Friendlies

2nd Team

Table, Results and Match Reports
Division 3 - 2009/2010 season

POS	Division 3	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Roach Dynamos	26	19	5	2	88	42	46	62
2	Chew Moor Brook Res	26	18	5	3	102	41	61	59
3	Ladybridge	26	15	4	7	89	54	35	49
4	Rossendale Ams 'A'	26	14	2	10	68	57	11	44
5	Bacup United	26	11	9	6	59	43	16	42
6	Castle Hill Res	26	11	7	8	71	64	7	40
7	Ashtonians	26	10	7	9	47	43	4	37
8	Tottington United	26	9	5	12	44	58	-14	32
9	Failsworth Dynamo Res	26	8	6	12	50	60	-10	30
10	Bolton Wyresdale Res	26	8	6	12	59	73	-14	30
11	Broughton Ams Res	26	5	10	11	61	71	-10	25
12	Rochdale St.Clems 'A'	26	7	3	16	38	79	-41	24
13	Little Lever SC 'A'	26	5	5	16	46	75	-29	20
14	Lymm Res	26	3	4	19	37	99	-62	13

Picture of 2009/10 - 2nd Team squad.

Back l to r: Paddy Slater, Rob Pomfret, Neil Eccles, Mick Jones, Rick Grundy, Chris Bell, Rob Cooper.
Front l to r: Lee Shultz, Pete Monks, Danny Barry (player/manager), John Lewis Seddon, Paul Harford, Mark Birkett.

2nds Results and Match Reports

Sat. 22nd Aug 2009	V	Bacup United (h) 2 - 2 (ht.2-0) scorers : S. Iddon, R. Pomfret
		With the Myerscough pitch in pristine pre-season condition all hopes were that the team would be too. We started brightly and looked very likely to score in the open exchanges. Iddon duly obliged with a close range finish after a headed ‘cross’ from Rob Pomfret. The second followed soon after with Duffy playing a perfect layoff onto the run of Pomfret who finished with aplomb having only the goalkeeper to beat. The game could have been wrapped up moments later as Jones hit a wonderful curling shot which beat everyone bar the post, only the sound of ball on metal stopped the celebrations as everyone assumed it was number 3. After this the game turned, whether it was the heat, the fitness levels or the fact we thought we had the game won. A penalty awarded to Bacup was taken and missed (after mind-games with the keeper) was a sign of things to come in the second half. We were pegged back early in the second half as an untimely slip on loose ground by Bell allowed an cross to be finished unopposed by the Bacup striker. The Bacup goal left us with our backs to the wall and constantly on the back foot trying to defend the 1 goal advantage. A late blow came as poor marking from a corner allowed an unopposed Bacup player to draw the game level with a powerful header. At 2-2 we still didn’t look the stronger side and Martin, returning from injury, had a difficult chance late on which went agonisingly over the bar. Overall the one point felt like a loss but at least we start the season unbeaten…long may it continue. SpiderPig
Sat. 29th Aug 2009	V	Lymm Reserves (a) 2 - 2 (ht.1-0) scorers : L. Plaskett, T. Martin
		After last weeks disappointment we travelled to Lymm with two new signings due to availability in both 1st and 2nd team squads. We started the stronger with Stone commanding the back line with ease. On 30 minutes Plaskett latched onto along clearance by Stone to give us the lead, however 5 minutes later hero turned into villain when after being kicked Plaskett retaliated right in front of the ref leaving him no option but to send him off. We managed to hang on until half time where Barry had to make formation changes and give a debut to Nick Walsh. The 2nd half saw wave after wave of Lymm attacks but to no avail until 20 minutes to go when sloppy play allowed them in for an equaliser. This then sparked us back to life as 5 minutes later after several squandered chances Martin popped up with a sublime finish. It looked like 3 points where heading up the M6 with us when they had a man sent off for kicking out at Seddon, but in the dying minutes a floated ball into the box caught us flat at the back for the second week running and their midfielder headed in his second of the game. In summary we created a lot of chances and didn’t capitalise on them which cost us in the end which is frustrating after we defended so well. DB.
Sat. 12th Sept 2009	V	Ladybridge (h) 5 - 7 (ht.1-4) scorers : P. Monks 2, C. Walsh, C. Ryan, T. Martin
		We knew this game wasn’t going to end in a decent result for us, because after the first ten minutes we found ourselves 3-0 down. A combination of poor defending and a decent striker led to us conceding 7 by the final whistle. We scored a couple late on in the game and started to believe we could get back into the game, however we wasted most of the second half feeling sorry for ourselves and when we started to believe we had less than 5 minutes to go. Special mention to Monks who bagged 3, shame one of them was in the wrong goal… [spiderpig]
Sat. 19th Sept 2009 Cup Rd 1	V	Bolton Wyresdale Res (a) 2 - 1 (ht.1-1) scorers : C. Myers, R. Pomfret
NB: All 4 teams won today.		This game started with discussions about both the referee and the appalling balls provided as ‘match balls’ but it was Bolton who struck first with the a lucky deflected goal early on. A shot from their striker hit another Bolton Wyresdale player to deflect the wayward shot into the far corner. The rest of the first half was fairly even with both sides having limited chances, it was us who struck next to take the score into half time at 1 – 1 with Pomfret rounding the keeper after good work from both Cyle and Jones to score a well worked team move. The second half saw the introduction of Merchant, who ruled in the centre of the park with some tough challenges, quality heading and even better passing. The game looked to be heading for extra time when an offside flag was waved away by the referee and the goal was well finished by Myers. This score remained 2-1 till the end as we played the clock down well…[spiderpig]
Sat. 26th Sept 2009	V	Failsworth Dynamoes Reserves (h) 1 - 0 (ht.1-0) scorers : T. Martin
		After success in the cup last week we returned to league duties against a young looking Failsworth side. After taking a meagre 2 points from the previous 9 on offer we needed to start to pick up points to match the promising performances (Ladybridge excluded). The game started as would be expected for a team with young nippy players trying to thread neat through balls around the back of our defence but nothing that the experienced back three of Lever, Barry and Monks couldn't deal with. In fact they were limited to pot shots from the edge of the area which Hurst dealt with ease. The only clear one on one they got resulted in the Broughton goal. After a blocked tackle from Monks the ball popped straight onto the Failsworth Strikers head who should have done better than hit the frame of Hurst, the resulting long quick clearance allowed Jones and Martin to beat the Failsworth defence before Martin slotted past the keeper. The second half although goal-less was far from event-less! After some good early Broughton pressure, it was Failsworth who got the breakthrough, Barry using his hands to protect his face (God knows why, surely a rearrangement couldn't be worse!), resulted in the referee awarding what could be deemed a soft penalty. The eyes and 'movement' of Hurst made the Failsworth striker place the ball wide. A second penalty appeal was turned down after Paul Farrington 'obstructed' the opposing striker...indirect freekick 12 yards out! Monks should have been wearing gloves for his next trick and received an oscar for the performance afterwards. As part of the wall he managed to claw the ball away from goal at full stretch before collapsing holding his face...luckily the referee didn't see it! A well struck shot from Seddon towards the end mixed with some very good goalkeeping from the 18yr old Failsworth goalkeeper resulted in final score of 1-0 and the first clean sheet of the season as well as the first 3 points. After an influential midfield performance Merchant was awarded man-of-the-match...[spiderpig]
Sat 3rd Oct 2009	V	Tottington United (a) 1 - 3 (ht.0-3) scorers : C. Myers
		With the late arrival of a couple of players (hands up!...sorry guys) and a lack of directions, we turned up with little time to change and warm up. The pitch was long and the wind was blowing... and the combination of all the above probably gave us all our excuses before we started! We started brightly but squandered chance after chance with Martin and Myers coming close on a number of occasions. The breakthrough came when a penalty was awarded to Tottington for dangerous play, which according to the laws of the game should be an indirect freekick... "If an indirect free kick offence is committed by a defending team player against an attacking team player inside the defending team's penalty area (e.g. for impedance or dangerous play) then an indirect free kick kick" (and NOT a penalty kick) "is awarded to the attacking team to be taken from where the offence occurred." Reference: http://www.corshamref.org.uk/law12/law12ind.htm... Even after protests the penalty was taken and scored. The second goal was also a penalty, this time an easier decision for the referee. Unfortunately Tottington grabbed a third before the break through a header after a counter attack. After Barry's inspirational halftime team talk/shout, we started the second half as we started the first, attacking strongly without getting the reward. Despite near domination in the second half we only managed to grab one goal in reply! Cyle Myers scored a fantastic solo effort finishing in the top corner from 25 yards out. Even a stint of Barry upfront (v. novel) couldn't provide us with the goals we desperately needed to get anything from the game. Overall a good second half performance, winning it 1-0, but it shouldn't take a Barry's half time team talk to get us going! - SH
Sat. 10th Oct 2009 Cup Rd 2	V	Rochdale St. Clements Res (h) 2 - 2 aet. (ft.1-1) ROCHDALE WON 4-1 ON PENS scorers : M. Jones, P. Monks
		After disappointment in the league last week attentions turned to the Reserves Cup with hopes of progressing against a Rochdale side 18 places above us in the league structure. We started brightly against a strong Rochdale side but struggled to maintain possession for large parts of the first half and to be honest if Rochdale could've converted their aerial chances we would probably have been 3 down going into the break. We came out in the second half and looked even brighter than the first half, carrying a 0-0 into the halftime interval allowed us to continue playing our game and the prospect of a win pushed us forward even more. With both side having numerous chances and both keepers doing their best to keep it at 0-0 the Shultz and the Referee combined to provide an excellent chance for Rochdale from the spot after Shultz felled the Rochdale striker as he was running away from goal and just inside the box!! The first of many penalties was scored, 0-1. Barry then changed the formation 3-4-3 bringing on new dad Duffy up front to test the tiring Rochdale back line, Shultz was the player sacrificed for tactical decisions. It must have worked as after a couple of saves from Hurst in goal a counter attack led to Jones picking up the equaliser after a deflected shot with 3 minutes left of normal time. Extra time started and, as Monksy commented, it was peppered with players going down all over the pitch with cramp resembling a scene from platoon...surprisingly it was the younger players doing most of the rolling around and a special mention to the high pitched scream from Frazer after getting cramp chasing the ball down the right wing! The deadlock was broken in extra time with a looping header from the Rochdale forward, 1-2. Once again we pushed and pushed and Myers was brought down in the box for a penalty. When asked the referee said that there were 12 seconds left which meant that the penalty would be the last kick of the game. It was scored by captain Monks to take the game to penalties. Richard Merch was the only players to score for us, with Martin and Monks both missing. Hurst failed to get as much as a hand on a pen as Rochdale won 4-1. A quality performance and if we can carry that into the league then we have a chance of doing something this season...[spiderpig]
Sat. 17th Oct 2009	V	Little Lever SC 'A' (h) 3 - 3 (ht.3-1) scorers : C. Duffy 2, T. Martin
		After a fantastic performance but ultimately penalty shootout disappointment last week in the cup we were optimistic about picking up 3 points against the team propping up the table. We started well and had a few chances before Martin opened the scoring with a well placed shot past the Little Lever keeper. Little Lever equalised almost straight away after a long ball found its way into the box and their striker lobbed the ball over Hurst. We responded well and scored twice in quick succession through Carl Duffy who finished very well on both occasions. Leading 3-1 at half time against bottom of the league we possibly (and wrongly) thought we had the game wrapped up. Even after they pulled one back we still seemed like the stronger of the two teams! Unfortunately a couple of minutes from the end an unchallenged player delivered to an unmarked player who from 5 yards out forced Hurst into his first real save of the game before another unmarked and unchallenged player finished past a despairing Monks covering on the line. Performances must improve if this team is to fulfil its potential!! - SH
Sat 24th Oct 2009	V	Rossendale Ams 'A' (a) 2 - 3 (ht.1-1) scorers : J. Seddon, C. Murch
		After last weeks disappointment we travelled to Rossendale which is a bogey ground for us so after last weeks defensive display the manger changed the team to a more balanced formation of 4-4-2. This showed to be of benefit to us as after a few early scares we began to take a firm hold of the game and after several chances Seddon tapped in on the far post after good work from Merch and Myers on the right. However the lead only lasted for a few minutes as from our own corner Rossendale broke the full length of the field to equalise. The half was dominated by the man in the middle handing out 5 yellows which spoilt the flow of the game. After the break we dominated but failed to capitalise on our chances until Chris Murch fired in from a Myers corner. All we had to do was to play out the final 15 mins but a defensive mishap created a chance that Rossendale buried 2-2. Then with minutes to go they had a quick break leaving Monks 1 on 1 with their striker who mishit his shot which deceived Hurst and went in. For the second season running we return home empty handed after playing well. Having dominated so much of the game but not capitalised on our chances it has cost us again which is becoming the story of our season so far. Furthermore we all must learn to concentrate for the full 90 minutes if we are to change our fortunes. DB.
Sat. 31st Oct 2009	V	Roach Dynamoes (h) 3 - 3 (ht.-) scorers : C. Duffy, M. Jones 2

Sat. 21st Nov 2009	V	Ashtonians (h) 2 - 2 (ht.1-1) scorers : P. Monks, M. Jones
		After last weeks heroics against the league leaders we were full of confidence and despite the weather and conditions we took the lead when Monks converted a penalty after Duffy was upended in the box. Just as we started to get a hold of the game Merch had to be replaced by Walton which spurred Ashton to created some good chances but we defended well as a unit until a miscommunication allowed their winger to get beyond Barry and the offside trap to fire in a equaliser. After the break we continued to exchange blows with the opposition until Ashton grabbed what they thought was the winner after first Barry and then Hurst blocked efforts on the line only for their player to finish at the third attempt. Then Barry chasing the game resorted to a 3-4-3 formation which led to a disagreement with a player (the incident has been resolved). After wave of attacks Stewart on his return to Broughton centred to Jones who finished giving Broughton a share of the points. Despite things being said in the dressing room the lads all agree that a lot of work goes on behind the scenes to ensure that every player at this club has the opportunity to play football on a Saturday on such good facilities. DB.
Sat 28th Nov 2009	V	Chew Moor Brook Res (h) 2 - 3 (ht.1-1) scorers : M. Jones, C. Duffy
		After last weeks come back we entertained top of the league that had only lost one game previously. We started well and found ourselves one up through Jones capitalising on a mistake by their defence, however this lead didn’t last too long as they carved us open to fire past Coulton. The second half started with Chew Moor commanding the play and they were rewarded or should I say fortunate to take the lead when from a free kick their defender flicked the ball into the net with his left hand. Things went from bad to worse when their lone striker got between our defence and converted from a tight angle. Well one thing I can’t fault is our determination and we got one back thorugh Duffy then were extremely unlucky not to grab an equaliser. On reflection we did show a never say die attitude but we were beaten by a good side today. - DB.
Sat 12th Dec 2009	V	Rochdale St. Clements 'A' (a) 4 - 3 (ht.2-2) scorers : M. Jones, C. Bell, P. Monks, J. Seddon
		We turned up at Rochdale after a few of the squad had over indulged on the Xmas cheer and having to play on an poor pitch with a stand in keeper Duffy. We found ourselves one up after Jones latched onto a long ball and rounded the keep to finish neatly. What a surprise that they levelled the scores less than a minute later when after a few lucky bounces they scored past our substitute keeper. Then from a corner Myers fouled one of their players resulting in a penalty suddenly we found ourselves 2-1 down and staring defeat in the eyes until Seddon received a short corner and looped in a cross-cum-shot into their net 2-2. After the break we passed the ball well with some conviction but to no avail then against the run of play Rochdale crossed the ball only to be missed by the advancing Duffy for an easy tap in. Barry immediately reverted to 3-4-3 and minutes later Bell on his return out jumped everyone to fire in a header. The game was heading for yet another draw when from nothing Jones won a penalty which Monks duly converted game over and only our second win of the season. A fantastic result despite all of the changes and us having no keeper thanks Carl. Anyway well done lads. - DB.
Sat 23rd Jan 2010	V	Rossendale Amateurs 'A' (h) 1 - 1 (ht.0-0) scorers : R. Murch
		After the long Xmas break we were back to full strength and against a Rossendale team who only had 11 men we really did fancy ourselves. Both teams passed the ball well and after a few chances the game started to open up but with nobody breaking the deadlock both teams went in 0-0. The second period began like the first but as they started to tire we found the openings but couldn’t convert the chances. Until five minutes from time Barry’s in-swinging corner was met by the head of Merch to give us a deserved lead. But with the last kick of the game Rossendale capitalised on some sloppy play from inside their half to rob us of our victory. I can’t fault our performance other than we must realise that we have to take our chances against the opposition when they arise - and defend till the 90th min or beyond. - DB.
Sat 6th Feb 2010	V	Bolton Wyresdale Res (h) 3 - 3 (ht.2-3) scorers : R. Murch 2, P. Monks
		After a week’s break we were back at Myerscough and to be honest the way we started you'd think we'd never been away. We pressed constantly from the offset and Wyresdale struggled to string even 2 passes together and we dominated possession. Unfortunately this sustained period of pressure led to our own downfall, as the shape and discipline seemed to be lost with the eagerness to press forward. The ball was given away cheaply (which seems to be a recurring theme some weeks) and the newly acquainted defence was caught on the hop as a hopeful long ball was pounced upon by the Wyresdale forward, as last man Bell should have competed stronger but the ball bounced handily for the forward and he despatched the ball past the oncoming Hurst - it was an undeserved lead. The game restarted and we didn't learn our lesson and after a short period and a poor throw in, again the ball was given away cheaply, the defence left exposed and as before, the Wyresdale forward finished. Do not adjust your set this is not a repeat .... the game restarted and while we are able to pass the ball about we lacked a cutting edge to isolate any of the Wyresdale players and penetrate their defence, the ball was cleared sloppily and the Wyresdale forwards were able to press forward and cut inside to despatch the ball for a 3-0 lead to say we were shell shocked is clearly an understatement. NOW FOR THE POSITIVES!!!!! It has to be noted that every player thought this position was retrievable, we switched formation to 3-4-3 and again we dominated possession but now each defensive player knew their job and the sloppy mistakes that had littered our previous play had gone. Murch, Seddon and Kyle were up front linking well together especially the latter who was producing great pieces of play. Which lead to Wyresdale man marking him in the second half, Seddon tested the keeper with a long range shot and a free kick that was saved at the last moment. Thankfully our play was rewarded with a goal as Murch scored with a great header for the second week running after a pinpoint cross by Kyle. Monks and Pomm were patrolling the midfield with some strong tackling and the defence were restricting the forwards to scraps. Late in the half with us again dominating play Monks burst into the penalty area and forced the Wyresdale defence into a rash challenge - penalty ! Monks stepped up and although at a good height the keeper could only get a hand to the ball, 3-2 at Half Time. After a frank discussion at half time it seems we do not learn, immediately from the kick off we put ourselves under pressure with sloppy play Wyresdale pressed us but really luckily never threatened the goal, after this we did not look back and dominated play. We passed the ball well and created a number of chances and really should have been level a lot earlier than we were. Monks won the ball in midfield and threaded the ball through to Murch who despatched the ball clinically 3-3. We continued to press and Harford had a few half chances to win us the game but on reflection to win a point after the start we made was a good result. N.B. although not an excuse, the habit of teams turning up late seems to throw us and we do not start the game with the mindset and discipline that we are capable of. - CB
Sat 13th Feb 2010	V	Ashtonians (a) 3 - 5 (ht.2-2) scorers : P. Harford, R. Murch, J. Seddon
		After last weeks 3 goal head start for the opposition we travelled to Wigan to play on a school pitch which would make a field look like Wembley and for added measure we decided just to give them a two goal advantage. After only 20 minutes with us playing with no real conviction we could have been even further behind. Once we settled down we began to create some real good chances and should have been rewarded when Harford’s header was ruled out for a foul in the box which was the beginning of official’s poor display. Finally we scored two goals in quick succession from Seddon and Harford taking us into the break level. After the interval we passed the ball well until the ref ruined the game ruling their player onside to finish passed the advancing Hurst d espite the flag for offside. Deflated we continued to get no decisions from the ref and found ourselves 5-2 down. Merch fired a thunderbolt of a free kick but the game was well out of reach even for the league's draw specialists. Again we cannot give teams these kind of advantages and expect to win games. - DB.
Sat 20th Feb 2010	V	Castle Hill Res (h) 3 - 3 (ht.1-1) scorers : M. Jones 2, C. Duffy
		Despite last weeks defeat Barry had to make changes due to players away in Newcastle and Milan. We welcomed Stone in goals for the absent Hurst and found ourselves one up in the opening ten minutes after Jones chased down a long kick from Stone to lob the ball over their advancing keeper we then totally dominated the pay until a mix up at the back allowed their forward to score at the second attempt. After the break we struggled to maintain position and were duly punished when we appealed for a flag that didn't come allowing them with a gift and things went from bad to worse when they finished again to make it 3-1. Barry and Monks made way for Cook and Cornwell who made an immediate impact when after tremendous work by Myers on the left Duffy grabbed what we thought was a consolation. However with only minutes to go Jones capitalised on a mistake from their solid defence to give us our eighth draw of the campaign and rob them of a certain victory. We are definitely a hard team to beat I just hope our luck in front of goal will change during the final months of the season. - DB.
Sat 6th Mar 2010	V	Castle Hill Res (a) 1 - 1 (ht.1-1) scorers : R. Murch
		After last weeks spirited fight back we welcomed back our absentees from Milan & Newcastle. Barry reverted back to the tried and trusted 3-5-2 formation and we dominated the opposition for long periods and were duly rewarded when a Murch drive found the back of the net. This should have been increased when he fired a free kick against the post, however due to form our lead only lasted minutes as from a weak clearance they beat the stranded Hurst from eighteen yards out. The half ended with both defences keeping the forwards at bay. The second half began much like the first with both teams exchanging blows and both Jones and Myers not capitalising in front of goal. It was then the turn of our defence to keep them at bay with Barry blocking and clearing one off the line while Bell and Harford remained solid with some strong tackling. As both teams began to tire we began to hang on and were happy with the final whistle. A good solid performance against a good side well done lads. - DB
Sat. 13th Mar 2010	V	Rochdale St.Clements 'A' (h) 4 - 0 (ht.1-0) scorers : P. Monks, M. Jones, P. Harford, og
		With last weeks solid performance we began full of confidence and totally dominated with Jones, Seddon and Myers as the front three and deservedly took the lead after some good work on the left by Myers resulted in their defender putting in his shot despite a strong protest from Myers claiming the goal. We then squandered several chances to increase our lead despite playing some attractive football in the process which at times has been our downfall for most of the season. The second half started in the same fashion with us forcing the opposition to shooting from 20 yards out giving Stone no problem at all. Half way through the second period one of their players decided to kick Monks in the head (no damage obviously) resulting in a bit of argy bargy with Monks and Barry receiving cautions for reacting to the cowardly actions of this player who then tried to get Barry sent off by diving holding his face. This produced some fire in us as Bell exchanged passes with Monks who fired in low game over. Rochdale did come forward and forced Stone into action with a series of fine saves then it was left to Jones to finish from a tight angle and Harford to complete a great move involving Seddon and Myers. A great team performance with everyone giving a contribution surprisingly only our third league win of the season least its better than drawing? Let’s hope this is the start of a run? - DB
Thu. 1st Apr 2010	V	Lymm Res (h) 3 - 0 (ht.2-0) scorers : P. Monks, J. Seddon, N. Eccles
		On the back of a few good results we had the tricky test of taking on bottom of the league, we started brightly and took an early lead when Monks won Broughton a penalty and coolly converted. The game evened itself out towards the mid way point but Lymm’s lack of discipline was gifting us plenty of chances to keep possession which was soon turned into a second. Good work down the right wing from Slater and Jones saw a near post cross headed home by Seddon (doesn’t get many with his head but this was a great finish). Into the second half and it was all about keeping our cool and not getting involved with the idiots letting the Lymm squad down, Harford and Lever both had excellent games at the back preventing the opposition from any sort of a comeback. With 20 minute remaining changes were made and the result was made safe when Eccles ran unchallenged into the box and easily finished passed the helpless keeper. All in all a well earned 3 points against a team that have some serious issues on and off the pitch, they could quite easily have finished the game with 5 or 6 players. - NE
Sat. 3rd Apr 2010	V	Tottington United (h) 3 - 1 (ht.0-0) scorers : N. Eccles, M. Jones, P. Monks
		After back to back league wins we were in a positive mood looking to extend the unbeaten run to 5 games, to be honest we really didn’t start well and if it hadn’t have been for some sharp goalkeeping from Grundy we could have found ourselves 2 or 3 down inside the first 15 mins. Eventually we settled and started knocking the ball around with some intent but the quality in the final ball was no existent so the half ended 0-0. Into the second period and again Tottington just had edge but this they took full advantage of our slow start taking the lead with a very well worked goal. As the game went on we upped the pace and on the counter we looked very dangerous, we created some good opportunities to get level but it wasn’t until the last 15 minutes that we made them count. Eccles brought us level when his deflected shot gave the keeper no chance and then Jones put us in front with a great finish under pressure. The win was wrapped up in added time when Monks scored another penalty after Jones had been up-ended in six yard box. Another vital 3 point that see’s us move further away from the drop zone, but Tottington will feel hard done by as they were very unlucky not to claim anything here. - NE
Wed. 7th Apr 2010	V	Roach Dynamoes (a) 0 - 3 (ht.0-2) scorers : -
		Arriving then kicking off straight away is no ideal way to start a match and duly were two down in the first 10 minutes defending into the sun effectively game over to one of the leagues top teams. As the half progressed we created a few chances only to give the ball away cheaply. The second half continued in a similar fashion with some last ditch defending from Bell and Barry keeping their forwards at bay until a break from the right resulted in their player firing past Grundy - game over. How are we expected to defend for such long periods and not get breached? We cannot do this every week. - DB
Sat. 10th Apr 2010	V	Ladybridge (a) 2 - 3 (ht.1-1) scorers : S. Iddon, A. Chatell
		On a bright sunny day we were confident that we could get some revenge on a team who had beaten us earlier on in the season. If the warm up was anything to go by well we were in trouble and found ourselves one down after two minutes with us having no shape in midfield and at the back. Once we established our roles we began to frustrate our opponents and from a rare corner Iddon rose in a crowded box to head us level. We managed to go into the half level but early in the second half their front two began to find openings in our defence and despite a string of excellent saves from Stone Harford didn’t track his man after tipping a shot onto the bar leaving the unmarked man was ready to tap in whne Bell managed to challenge him but in the process conceding a penalty which they converted. Then minutes later the forward rounded off a good afternoon by firing low to claim his hat trick. We played the closing moments with more spirit and when Chattle headed home we had a chance of leveling the match but it wasn’t to be our day yet again. This loss was partly due to poor preparation before the game and certain players not wanting to play for the good of the team and listen. - DB
Tue. 13th Apr 2010	V	Bacup United (a) 2 - 2 (ht.1-2) scorers : M. Jones, S. Mitchell ?
		After Saturdays fiasco we embarked on another long road trip east to sunny Rawtenstall seriously who organises these fixtures? Anyway we started the stronger creating the more clear chances and were rewarded when Jones found space in the box to fire home. Our lead was doubled when some great passing play resulted in Mitchell going clean through and calmly finishing past the advancing keeper. Then we took our foot off the pedal and Bacup pulled one back after the ref didn’t see the centre half handle the ball before firing into the net. This was to be a night for the official who then gave us sweet fa to put it bluntly. The second half brought wave after wave of Bacup attacks firmly dealt with by Bell, Lever and Barry but the official wasn’t making it easy for us giving advantage to the opposition at any opportunity and cautioning anyone who disagreed with him. Just as the light was starting to fade Barry’s long through ball to Merch was bluntly handled by Bacups defender stopping a clear goal scoring opportunity only to be penalised for being off side five yard in front of him. Things went from bad to worse when the official gave a free kick for nothing and they capitalised on a long punt which Grundy then Bell blocked only to be tapped in by yes that centre half again. Seconds later the official blew for full time leaving use wondering how we let this slip, however it doesn’t help when you are playing against 12 men. - DB
Thu. 15th Apr 2010	V	Bolton Wyresdale Res (a) 2 - 3 (ht.1-1) scorers : S. Cummins, C. Murch
		After Tuesday we travelled to our rivals and couldn’t believe the condition of the playing surface. We started the stronger and were one up when Cummins went on a mazy run and toe pocked past the stranded keeper. This was to last all of five minutes when they took advantage of some sloppy play to scramble the ball home. Both teams struggled with the pitch for the remainder of the half with a similar pattern forming in the second until we gave away possession again and Bolton capitalized from a long punt. Insult was added to injury when they scored a third to put the game out of reach until Merch headed home to give us some hope. Even the introduction of Barry upfront nearly created the opening be it wasn’t meant to be three loses in four isn’t exactly promotion form. We now must start looking over our shoulders if we are to stay in this division. - DB
Tue. 20th Apr 2010	V	Failsworth Dynamoes Res (a) 3 - 4 (ht.1-2) scorers : L. Shultz, C. Murch, S. Mitchell
		Despite last minute let downs we travel away again hoping to give us the point we needed to ensure safety and this was looking a possibility when Schultz scored direct from a corner. However true to form they levelled when Pomfret fired past the keeper - which happened to be ours. We began to panic and were behind when Iddon was dispossessed and they broke clear to find the net again. As the second half started we began to get a foothold in the game and Merch finished calmly to bring us level this was then doubled when the Ginger Ronaldo Mitchell went on a mazy run and calmly slotted under the keeper. All was looking well until Monks fouled on the edge of our box and the resulting free kick bobbled off the post and in past a stranded Grundy. Then both teams went for the win until minutes from time Grundy had what I can only describe as a moment of madness spilling a mis-kick into the path of the forward, we pushed for the equalizer but to no avail. Most certainly three points thrown away we now have to pick ourselves up for the remaining two games and show a bit more self belief. - DB
Sat. 24th Apr 2010	V	Chew Moor Brook Res (a) 2 - 8 (ht.-) scorers : M. Jones, J. Seddon
		Match Report will appear here when submitted.
Sat. 8th May 2010	V	Little Lever 'A' (a) 2 - 3 (ht.-) scorers : M. Jones, A. Stoney
		Match Report will appear here when submitted.

Click one of these links to see Table, Results & Match Report for that team.
1st Team - 2nd Team - 3rd Team - 4th Team - Vets / Friendlies

3rd Team

Final League Table, Results and Match Reports
Division 6 - 2009/2010 season

POS	Division 1	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Prestwich Reserves	18	13	1	4	63	27	36	40
2	Broughton Amateurs 'A'	18	12	3	3	53	32	21	39
3	Radcliffe Town "A"	18	11	2	5	66	34	32	35
4	Ashtonians Reserves	18	11	1	6	47	35	12	34
5	Chaddertonians "B"	18	9	4	5	50	40	10	31
6	Old Blackburnians 'B'	18	6	5	7	39	43	-4	23
7	Thornleigh 'B'	18	5	2	11	49	66	-17	17
8	Bolton Wyresdale "A"	18	5	2	11	28	49	-21	17
9	Old Mancunians "B"	18	5	1	12	38	54	-16	16
10	Thornleigh 'A'	18	1	1	12	38	54	-16	16
	Hesketh Casuals 'B' withdrew from league record expunged

Picture of 3rd Team in their 2009/10 kit kindly sponsored by Kinders Texaco garage.

Back l to r: Ian Winn, Rick Swan, John Major, Jim McHugh, Craig Lathom, Rob Cooper, Rick Lee, Carl.
Front l to r: Dan Cook, Simon Rawsthorn, Leroy Gavigan, Adam Hayhurst, Mick Bowerman, Tom Simpson

3rd Team Results, Scorers and Match Reports

Sat. 12th Sept 2009	V	O. Mancunians 'B' (h) 4 - 3 (ht.-) scorers : S. Rawsthorn, R. Swan, L. Gavigan, D. Cook
		New season, new kit for the 3rd team who were looking to start this season strongly making amends for missing promotion last time. Sadly within minutes of the start we gifted the first of 3 bad goals to concede. We were soon level, when Cook knocked a good cross in to the edge of the box and Rawsthorn controlled, turned and drilled low into far right corner. This was the start of some good football, with simple one and two touch football splitting our visitors apart on numerous occasions. We took the lead mid way through the half when a great move involving Cooper, Rawsthorn and latterly Gavigan crossing for a rare goal from Swan who nodded in from 8 yards. The 3rd goal was arguably the goal of the game when a Simpson pass was dummied by Gavigan on the edge of the box and Rawsthorn flicked first time back into the path of Gavigan to slot home. More slack marking in the middle allowed them to pull a goal back before the break, but after the break we continued to press and create chances, subs were made as players deteriorated in the heat and from a corner came our 4th goal when Major nodded down for Cook to blast home. Some late pressure form the visitors saw them force more errors in our defence to grab a 3rd, but all in all an opening day win was deserved. With many players missing today our team can only become a stronger squad, and players know that any poor performances and a place in the 11 is under serious threat. The defence of the Cup begins next week. SR
Sat. 19th Sept 2009 Cup Rd 1	V	Mostonians 'A' (h) 3 - 2 (ht.2-1) scorers : S. Rawsthorn, R. Swan, G. Halse
NB: All 4 teams won today.		The start of the defence of our cup, and a first round fixture against a team from a division above us. However it soon was apparent that the rumours of Mostonians fielding a youth team were correct with all their outfield players under the age of 18. For the first part of the game our opponents youthful exuberance and a willingness to get stuck in seemed to surprise us and culminated in them taking the lead when one of their midfielders ghosted in unmarked to head on from a throw in. Gavigan was his usual self creating menace in the oppositions half and eventually after a few half chances, predominantly from headers, we equalised when Rawsthorn latched onto a good through ball from Lee and rounded the keeper. Very quickly we were facing a penalty against us, the victims (possibly) of a referee being assessed. Huddleston however got the team out of a hole with a double save from the resultant penalty. Swan scored our second goal just before the break when he drilled a shot in from 18 yards. After half time the opponents seemed to run out of steam, and whilst not playing that well we were in charge. A third goal was scored by Halse who finished neatly from close range. The "assessed" referee still had time to send one of their lads off and award a second rather dubious penalty against us, which this time was scored. Good performances from McHugh and Lee saw us safely through to the next round sometime in March 2010!! IW
Sat. 26th Sept 2009	V	O. Blackburnians 'B' (a) 2 - 2 (ht.0-1) scorers : R. Cooper, M. Shirley
		Immediately after the game this felt like a point salvaged, but on reflection is 2 points dropped. We played this game at QEGS and the suspicion that the goals were not big enough was I am sure some form of weird mind games by Huddleston. However the short length of the pitch, even though the playing surface was excellent, played a major part for the first 30 minutes of the game with both sides content to lump it forward – it was like watching Wimbledon and Watford in the 80s. Blacks it has to be said were more successful at this than us and spent most of this period in our half with a succession of corners. During this period we briefly broke away only for Halse to be blatantly, and cynically upended by their keeper. No cards and nothing from the resulting free kick were a poor return. Eventually Blacks took advantage of their umpteenth corner and took a lead. Before half time thanks to a couple more questionable decisions they should have been further in the lead. In the second half we began to get a foothold in the game and started to demonstrate some composure in possession and play some football. A disallowed goal from Swan, when the referee finally took leave of his senses, was quickly followed by a second for Blacks. However a couple of changes to personnel combined with an upping of the tempo, and pressurising Blacks in possession all across the pitch brought its rewards. A first goal was scored by Cooper from a header after good work on our right flank, and then Shirley followed in from a charged down shot by Rawsthorne to get the equaliser. For the last 10 minutes only one side looked capable of winning it and it wasn’t Blacks. An erratic performance by the referee was matched by an equally erratic performance by us. - IW
Sat 3rd Oct 2009	V	Hesketh Casuals 'B' (a) 1 - 1 (ht.1-0) scorers : S. Rawsthorn
		Definitely two points dropped this week! On an afternoon more suited to kite flying than football we actually started reasonably brightly for the first 15-20 minutes in spite of playing into the wind and sun. We took an early lead after Hayhurst fed a ball through to Rawsthorn who finished neatly. Immediately after this we played some reasonable football in spite of the conditions. However once Hayhurst went off in the middle of the first half - another little niggle and he is rapidly turning into the Michael Owen of our team only without the speed, goal finishing and gambling addiction - we lost our way and the remainder of the half was played out in our half, or more specifically around our left back where the ball got blown to most of the time. In the second half we seemed to forget that the elements were now with us and Hesketh probably shaded possession, hitting the woodwork. We created chances with a smart save from their keeper keeping a free kick out from Lowcock, hitting the post and having a goal disallowed through Chris (Adam's mate) and Halse being denied by the keeper when one on one. The back four, even after Grundy left the pitch, looked secure throughout the game until the final 2 minutes when the biggest cock-up since cock-ups began resulted in Hesketh equalising. I will avoid naming the perpetrators in public but they know who they are! - IW
Sat. 10th Oct 2009 Cup Rd 2	V	O. Blackburnians 'A' (a) 1 - 3 (ht.1-3) scorers : G. Halse
		Well the unbeaten start to the season came to an end and we lost our grip on the cup we won last year - at least we are free to concentrate on the league! Injuries and something of an availability crisis meant that Rob Cooper was pressed into service as a centre half, only four games gone and already he has played in most outfield positions. We started the game well against a side a couple of divisions above us, and for the first twenty minutes or so were the better team and played some decent football. Dan Cook found himself up against a full back who was old enough to be his dad, and he proceeded to scare the life out of him with the unfortunate full back having no answer to Dan's youth and pace. We created a number of chances and eventually after a run and excellent cross from Rawsthorne (with his left foot I believe, which is usually reserved for standing on), Halse applied the finishing touch to put us ahead. Taking the lead seemed to be about the worst thing we could do as for the next 15 minutes or so we definitely stepped down a level in intensity, lost some composure and accuracy of passing and let them back in the game. Playing up Blacks hill also meant that, through necessity, our back line began to drop deeper and this allowed the game to become stretched and meant our midfield were suddenly having to cover an awful lot more space. Needless to say Blacks got more of the ball and made this count with three quick goals, two the result of our own misjudgement or error. In the second half we tightened the game up again, and although we huffed and puffed we created only half chances. For the second week running the defence acquitted itself reasonably well, allowing for a couple of Rio Ferdinand moments, and Rob Cooper did not disgrace us at centre half. In midfield and attack we again showed flashes of what we can do - just need to extend it across a full game. - IW
Sat. 17th Oct 2009	V	Radcliffe Town 'A' (a) 2 - 1 (ht.0-0) scorers : T. Lannigan, D. Cook
		Back to the league after our exit from the cup last week. It wouldn't be a Saturday unless Rob Cooper found himself playing in a different position from that in which he played the previous week - for the older readers of this rubbish he is the teams Paul Maddeley, for the younger readers this is not Judy Finnegan's brother in law but Mister Versatile of "Dirty Leeds" of the mid seventies. We also welcomed back Marcin to centre half, his first appearance of the season. From the start of the game it became clear that Radcliffe were going to string 5 across midfield. The temptation is always to match them by withdrawing one of the strikers into midfield, we resisted this and instead Cooper, Cook and Bell worked well together to ensure that by and large the fifth midfielder was always picked up. Needless to say with a congested midfield time and space were in short supply and Rawsthorne and Halse were required to chase some lost causes - which to their credit they did. Throughout the first half, with the exception of one good reflex save from Huddleston we defended well without too many chances been created by the opponents. In attack we provided some threat from set pieces without quite getting an end product. Initially the second half was a carbon copy of the first half. However after an unlucky ricochet Radcliffe took the lead. Either an inspired tactical substitution or luck - the latter I suspect - saw both Swan and Lannigan come on and the increased physical presence started to tell. We equalised when Lannigan got the final touch to a good free kick swung in by Hayhurst. The winner was scored after good work from Swan resulted in Cook playing a one two off the post to eventually score with his head. The referee also got in on the action in the second half by taking the sensible, although not technically correct action of booking a Radcliffe player after a deliberate handball and using up half his notebook in booking Marcin. All in all a competitive workmanlike performance and three points deservedly secured. - IW
Sat. 31st Oct 2009	V	Prestwich Res (a) 2 - 1 (ht.2-0) scorers : D. Cook, S. Rawsthorn
		After an enforced week off due to the state of the nations highways it was a trip to Prestwich to take on the early (unbeaten) pace setters in our league. So another week and a another formation, this time a competitively minded 4-5-1 formation - its not about formations its about players! Prestwich certainly had the air of a team flying, and their pre match warm up was one that would not have discredited Man Utd down the road - their use of coloured cones was I am sure more geared to psychological mind games than any great need to stretch off hamstrings and groins. Once the game kicked off we started with an intensity and tempo that was last witnessed in the cup final at the end of last season. Not to put to fine a point on it we got in their faces, competed, won the 50:50s, 40:60s, 30:70s (you get the idea) and once the ball was won played with composure and no little control. All of this allowed us to take a deserved 2:0 lead within the first 25 minutes, the first goal scored by Dan Cook with a curled effort into the corner and the second, deservedly but rather fortuitously cannoning off a part of Simon Rawsthorn's lower body. At this point we were in charge our midfield triumvirate of Lannigan, Hayhurst and McHugh winning everything and Halse up front making himself a menace by constantly being on the move. At this point Prestwich's team spirit began to crack and the bickering started - always a good sign that you have rattled the opponents. Their Italian manager, a large fella, was particularly animated and mostly in Italian so we couldn't understand a word of it! Prestwich did come back into the game, however, and won a penalty which was stopped well by Huddleston, who then managed through his pure presence to intimidate their player following up the rebound to balloon it over the bar. In the second half Prestwich again came back into the game, although we were always dangerous on the break, particularly when Chris (who came on to replace the always injured Hayhurst) hit the bar and narrowly missed the rebound with a volley. Huddleston produced a couple of decent saves to keep the game at 2:0 and Bell and Marcin again defended well in the centre with little getting past them and restricting the opponents in the main to chances from long range. As the game closed there was still time for Prestwich to score a cracking free kick from outside of the penalty area which increased the nervousness quotient for the last 5 minutes or so of normal time and the "Fergie time" added on by the referee. The best performance so far this season and one in which all fourteen players contributed and played their part - now leaving us as the unbeaten team in the division. - IW
Sat. 23rd Jan 2010	V	Bolton Wyresdale 'A' (a) 4 - 2 (ht.1-0) scorers : D. Cook, S. Rawsthorn, G. Halse, F. Farrington
		After an enforced mid season break, of almost three months, with only Halse showing any evidence of having spent it in a way that Premiership players do. it was back to business. The match report this week will be short as frankly we out played an average side and the last few reports have rambled on a bit. First half we had all the play and many chances created and spurned, with only Cook converting a header from a quickly taken corner. Second half continued in the same vein with goals from Rawsthorn, Halse and Farrington plus many spurned chances. It was disappointing that we gave away two soft goals as by and large at the back we had nothing to do and playing two Tom's as a centre half pairing did not generate the expected level of confusion it could have done. It is worth mentioning that our stand-in keeper for the day, Grundy, pulled off one excellent save from a free kick. - IW.
Sat. 30th Jan 2010	V	Prestwich CC Res (h) 2 - 1 (ht.1-1) scorers : F. Farrington, R. Cooper
		It wasn't pretty or entertaining (bit like the girls picked up by certain members of the squad on Friday nights out) but it was effective and we secured the points (bit like the girls picked up...). Prestwich's winning start to the season had been given a further good kicking the previous week having been beaten 5:2 however they started by far the best team and were out muscling us and retaining possession in a way we could not manage. A chance for us to take the lead, against the run of play, in the first 15 minutes was spurned, and this seemed to reduce any semblance of composure on the ball we possessed. They deservedly took the lead when following up from close range, after Huddleston could only palm the first effort against the bar. However from this point we began to get back in the game by matching their physical approach and sorting out our defensive organisation - although whether putting two Tom's in roughly the same area of the pitch represents progress is debateable. In a busy half for Hayhurst he created the first goal for us by putting in a great free kick which Farrington nodded in for the first goal, and having had enough of the rough stuff an agricultural challenge earned him a booking (the fine I assume will be added to his student debt). Second half we continued to match up physically and also played some football, Rawsthorne playing well as a lone striker before been withdrawn into a midfield role. Our second was a well worked goal with Halse beating their offside trap and squaring for Cooper who could not miss from 2 inches out. The opposition took exception to the fact they thought it was offside, and a bad tempered game got worse when their no 8 was sent off for a blatant foul on Cooper. In the last quarter of the game Prestwich created some chances and a couple of saves from Huddleston were needed to keep them out. The sanity of playing Grundy at full back, on the basis that an early night in in preparation for the match had not ultimately been his choice, was vindicated with a solid performance at full back. Just like watching Brazil it weren't... - IW
Sat. 13th Feb 2010	V	Chaddertonians 'B' (h) 2 - 2 (ht.2-1) scorers : S. Rawsthorn 2
		Best performance of the season so far (and perhaps a chance to wax lyrical), and yet it was a case of missed opportunities. Absences and illness meant we had another central half pairing with the phlegmatic Grundy and Lowcock accepting the challenge this week. The match started competitively with both midfields seeking to establish a platform, and no quarter been given. Our only real problems appeared to be coming from set pieces, something which would come back to haunt us. Eventually the midfield triumvirate of McHugh, Hayhurst and Lannigan established control and with Halse running their centre halves all around the pitch we were on top. Our first goal owed more to Wimbledon than Wenger, a headed flick on by Lannigan from a throw in found Rawsthorn in the six yard box who scored a poachers goal. Our second came from some neat interplay by Halse, and then a through ball from Farrington threaded to Rawsthorn to finish. During our first half supremacy McHugh executed the drag back of the season with all twenty one other players on the pitch and the population of Broughton being sent the wrong way. As half time neared we eased off the gas, a disputed free kick floated towards and ultimately into the top corner saw our lead pegged back. Second half we were again the better side – Farrington making hay down their left side and having one effort spectacularly saved by their keeper – however we could not turn our dominance into goals. In the last 10 minutes they again made us pay from a set piece, equalising with a header from a corner. There was just enough time to throw on super sub Swan to see if he could rescue all three points, but to no avail. From the reaction of the opposition after the final whistle it was clear they felt this was a point gained. - IW
Sat. 20th Feb 2010	V	Thornleigh 'A' (a) 7 - 0 (ht.4-0) scorers : S. Rawsthorn 2, R. Grundy, F. Farrington, G. Halse, T. Lannigan, C. Lathom
		A comprehensive result and victory. Little to say but rattle through the scorers. Goal 1 came from hours of work spent on the training ground, a duffed corner from Hayhurst found Grundy lurking just inside the penalty area, who caught it on the half volley to score. Goal 2 came from exactly the same move with the exception that Farrington got a final touch to Grundy's shot just to make sure it went in. Goal 3 saw Halse doing a passable impression of Cantona with a carefully placed lob over the keeper. Goal 4 saw Rawsthorn creating space for himself in the area to score. After half time Rawsthorn was able to score his second and the teams fifth with a simple tap in after good work from Farrington. Goal 6 scored by Lannigan from a sitting position (and hopefully now with his name spelt correctly). Finally goal 7 came from Lathom who made a relative sitter, a simple volleyed finish from 25 - 30 yards look far harder than it actually was. Two other moments were worthy of mention; taxi for Rawsthorne after being nutmegged by their most accomplished footballer their slightly ageing and large keeper; and Adam "The Hobbit" Hayhurst leaping like a salmon to head over from 2 inches out when it was more difficult not to score. - IW
Sat. 6th Mar 2010	V	Bolton Wyresdale 'A' (h) 2 - 1 (ht.0-1) scorers : F. Farrington, T. Bowerman
		Sometimes the result is more important than the performance, and the other usual clichés could be applied to this game. A team we comprehensively beat during January should have been whipping boys, shame they didn't read the script. Another change of goalkeeper saw Marcin taking his place in goal, with hopes that he would emulate "the clown" as Cloughie labelled his fellow countryman in 1973 when he single-handedly stopped us qualifying for the world cup (even though it was Peter Shilton who threw one in). A slow start, no urgency and probably a certain level of false over confidence meant that within the first 15 minutes we were one nil down after some poor defending from a free kick let Wyresdale score a soft goal. This seemed to wake us up and we did get better, marginally, securing a steady flow of corners which we could not quite get the final touch to. After half time we continued to dominate possession, and finally a long cross from McHugh found Farrington in the box who headed in backwards to equalise (Uwe Steeler style! - 1970 World Cup). Chances came and went without us quite scoring, including Low rattling the bar. Marcin in goal continued to be underemployed with only one scare in the second half. Bowerman and Lathom were thrown on to try and win it, and duly combined for Bowerman to score in the final minute - queue relief all round.
Sat. 13th Mar 2010	V	Chaddertonians 'B' (a) 2 - 4 (ht.0-1) scorers : S. Rawsthorn, R. Cooper
		We should have known this was not going to be our day when our captain, and kit washer decided to take in a tour of the Manchester motorway network system before finally finding the match venue - 10 minutes before kick off. Farrington, our resident Manc, arrived after him - not sure what his excuse was. We started the first half kicking into a strong wind and a whirlwind created by our opponents - to say they started strongly and we didn't would be an understatement. Within the first 10 minutes we knew we had a fight on our hands however we didn't expect it to be between our centre half and goalkeeper - they are supposed to be best mates - although it was more handbags than punch bags. Yet again we demonstrated our inability to defend set pieces putting more pressure on ourselves and quickly through a couple of errors found ourselves one nil down. However from this point on we began to get back into the game, winning possession and dealing more effectively with their long punts on the strong wind. We were denied a clear penalty in the first half which could have allowed us to get back into the game before half time. However when we turned around at half time with the advantage of the wind we were confident that it would only be a matter of time before we equalised - which we did through a sharp chance taken by Rawsthorn. With McHugh doing his best to occupy the "hole" and Farrington finding space on the right we were unlucky not to take the lead when Farrington managed to hit the post from 2 inches out. However our problems at corners soon returned when a corner resulted in a deflected shot for them finding the net. We continued to push for an equaliser, throwing on all three subs to try and rescue a result. However two breakaway goals from them in the last five minutes, before Cooper added a very late consolation gave our opponents a flattering scoreline. - IW
Sat. 20th Mar 2010	V	Radcliffe Town 'A' (h) 1 - 2 (ht.1-2) scorers : Rawsthorn
		This was a game that was lost in the changing room 15 minutes before kick off, to quote our resident philosopher - the hobbit Hayhurst. Which just goes to show that our taxes and his gargantuan student loan are not going to waste. For some reason we seemed to decide that instead of playing Radcliffe we were up against Chelsea, who were apparently staying in the Marriot, and who tired of betting developing countries GDP on the toss of a coin, and sex texting the wannabe WaGs of Fulwood had decided that a kick around on St Georges Playing field would be the ideal preparation for playing Rovers. Surprise, surprise after 15 minutes when we realised that we were not playing Drogba, Terry, Fat Frank and co but Radcliffe Town A we were already 2 down. Once we had worked out how to stop their speedy wingers - through a combination of numbers and brute force - and shackled their two forwards we had the metaphorical "mountain to climb". We had pegged back one by half time when Rawsthorne converted a penalty awarded after the second of two badly timed challenges in the box. In the second half we set up camp in their half, we had all the possession and missed a number of clear cut chances, including a couple of one on ones with their keeper and one effort somehow scrambled off the line in the last 5 minutes. However the suspicion persisted that we could have still been playing now and we would not have got a goal. As the game neared its end the usual niggles increased. Cooper - not known for his lack of commitment in the tackle, and usually operating on the premise he'll get to the tackle as quick as he can - was the victim of a badly timed challenge which prompted the usual "team support" you would expect. One of our players who demonstrated his solidarity by shoving the perpetrator (or just an innocent bystander?) into the middle of next week was lucky that the referees otherwise perfect 20:20 vision deserted him and he did not see a six foot, fifteen stone, East European with his arms raised. In summary we need to do better - one or two matches (or is that four or five) have followed a similar pattern to this match but with us always managing to salvage a draw or a victory, today our luck ran out. - IW
Sat. 27th Mar 2010	V	O. Mancunians 'B' (a) 4 - 1 (ht.0-0) scorers : S. Rawsthorn (2), M. Bowerman, G. Halse
		After two defeats in a row, a win today was vital. However, we would have to do it without five of the players from last week’s squad and without manager Ian Winn, who was running a half marathon. We stuck with the solid 4-4-2 formation and played out a fairly even first half. Neither team was in control but we had a couple more chances; Tim Bowerman missing the best chance when one-on-one with their keeper. The second half was a lot more eventful. About 10 minutes in, we gave the ball away cheaply in midfield and they broke away and their forward toe-poked the ball past the Huddleston. We pushed on for an equaliser but were limited to long range shots but didn’t look like scoring. As the game, and arguably our season, was slipping away, centre-back Latham ran off the pitch shouting what sounded like, “You’re all sh!t” but what turned out to be “I need a sh!t”. This forced us to change things and on came Gavin Halse and we changed to a more attacking 3-5-2. Within a few minutes the change worked and a poor shot from Hayhurst fell to Mick Bowerman in the area and he turned and shot and found the bottom corner with a Kris Boyd-like finish. Knowing that a draw wasn’t good enough we pushed on for a winner. This left us exposed at the back and Old Mancs had a couple of good chances with one rolling along the goal line and past the post. Another change saw Chris Fillingham come into the back three and that tightened things up. Meanwhile, a shot from Rawsthorn somehow sneaked under their keeper to put us in the lead. Their heads were down but they pushed forward to get back into the match. With two minutes left, a delightful ball from Mick Bowerman put his brother Tim through on goal. A neat lob looked was going in until their centre-back made the best save of the game; red card, penalty, Gav Halse, top corner, 3-1. In the final moments, Tim Bowerman put Rawsthorn through to slot home his second of the game and our fourth. It wasn’t the best performance but the result we needed. We showed today how much strength in depth we do have and that we can change things around to get the result we need. The last 20 minutes we were fantastic and fully deserved the three points.
Tue. 6th Apr 2010	V	Ashtonians Res (a) 0 - 0 (ht.0-0) scorers : -
		The first of six games in two weeks (so the quality and erudition of the match reports could decline substantially over the next fortnight) - a schedule so demanding that it would have Premiership clubs crying into their frothy lager and claiming a conspiracy on the part of the FA. A match against one of our rivals towards the top end of the league and a game which we ideally needed to win but could not afford to lose. On that basis the usual 4-5-1 formation was adopted, with Matt Finnney drawing the short straw as the lone striker with the usual constructive words of instruction - "play on the shoulder of the centre half and run around a bit!". The pitch was narrow and with a slight slope which Ashton played down in the first half. Both defences were largely on top, with us getting the best chance when Farrington should have done better in the penalty area. Rawsthorne came off just before half time with a "trendy" metatarsal injury. The second half went off largely as the first with defences again on top, and us lacking a little composure on the ball. As the darkness descended towards the end of the second half there was the usual robust challenge from Cooper, and the ensuing aftermath. In the end, and the dark, neither side deserved to win or lose the game. Grundy played well in goal without having to make too many saves of note, Lowcock and Harrington were secure in central defence against a deceptively agile centre forward, and Finney displayed good touch and willingness to chase lost causes up front. All round a creditable performance from everyone, if lacking in a little guile. - IW
Sat. 10th Apr 2010	V	Thornleigh 'B' (h) 3 - 1 (ht.2-1) scorers : G. Halse, R. Cooper, og
		There are advantages to having games postponed in the depths of winter as you get the chance to play when the weather is nice and the pitch is not a mud bath. The disadvantages of course are in getting a team out - for this game we went for pace and youth on the bench with the manager and John Major (making a rare appearance). Another Saturday at Broughton and another poor start, within the first couple of minutes we were immediately one down when we made the rather strange decision not to pick up their seven foot striker from a long throw with the obvious consequences. Once we had cleared our heads we began to get into the game, seeking to pick out Farrington wide on the right who appeared to be up against his grandad! What was even more unbelievable was that Thornleigh managed to replace said full back with a player even older, which prompted a quip from the opponents about the film Cocoon (for anyone not old enough wikipedia it). Eventually our possession paid off when a after a neat interchange of passes Halse found himself 30 yards out, he looked up opened up his body and picked out the top corner for a sensational goal. A second soon followed when a through ball from Hayhurst was fly hacked by their centre half into his own-goal. After half time we continued to dominate possession, and moving Cooper into midfield created the necessary mayhem intended. After a particularly robust challenge from Cooper the whole of Thornleigh, in the best demonstration of teamwork all game, decided that Cooper was fair game to be nailed. From a resulting free kick he earned, Cooper headed in from a good free kick from Hayhurst - one of many great dead balls he delivered all afternoon. Major came off the bench and should have scored when homing in on goal. In the final minutes Hayhurst found himself through with a one on one on the keeper. The keeper made a good save but the ball fell to Halse 15 yards out and with an empty goal, he couldn't miss - oh yes he could, and the jury is still out on whether it went for a goal kick or throw in. Hayhurst had a good game in midfield, McHugh organised and read the game well at centre half - once our back four realised they could talk to each other - and Low demonstrated the pace and directness of a winger on the left side of midfield. - IW
Mon. 12th Apr 2010	V	Hesketh Casuals 'B' (h) 5 - 4 (ht.4-1) scorers : R. Cooper 4, F. Farrington
		Where to start with this game? Unusually for us we took an early lead when Cooper sniffed one in from close range in his new role as centre forward. For the first half an hour we bossed possession and Cook on the right side of midfield was regularly found in space with time to attack their full back and deliver some good balls. His effectiveness did however start to wane after throwing up on the pitch after about 25 minutes - a tactic usually observed on a Sunday morning not a Monday night after his mum's tea and a pint of red bull! We were also creating some mayhem from long throws from both Fillingham and Lowcock, and the second Cooper goal came from this source. The hat-trick followed when converting a penalty, won by Cook, although it appeared the keeper was surprised more by Cooper's run up than the shot which just about crossed the line. A fourth goal came from Farrington when volleying in smartly. 4 nil up and not even half time, an exercise in improving the goal difference seemed on the cards. To be fair to Hesketh they had looked dangerous when breaking with numbers and just before half time they got one back after some particularly sloppy defending. Words were muttered at half time about not being complacent and getting another goal to kill the game off - unfortunately not heeded. We continued to create chances and had a decent shout for a penalty turned down, however Hesketh increasingly looked more dangerous and likely to score when breaking. They got a second goal back, and then with twenty minutes to go got a third which was quickly followed by a fourth - a combination of their good play and panic setting in. Chances came and went for both sides as did bookings and a further decent penalty shout for us. Finally at the death Cooper got a back heel to a ball in from Simpson to win the game with practically the last kick. As Fergie said "Football - F***ing Hell". - IW
Thu. 15th Apr 2010	V	Ashtonians Res (h) 2 - 1 (ht.1-0) scorers : F. Farrington, D. Low
		A crunch promotion game against opponents who are also pushing for promotion, and a referee whom we had earlier in season, who merited a poor mark from even the manager - who will never criticise a referee as the usual alternative to no ref is him doing it! so a nervous night all round was expected - and it didn't disappoint. We had the better of the first half, although at times our back four (who were resolute throughout) were guilty of playing a little to deep. It was competitive and it is fair to say that constructive football was at a premium but we did create some good chances either from direct play or our now evolved tactic of pinging it in the box from a long throw. Fraser had a couple of good headed chances which perhaps he should have converted, however he (Farrington) did compensate by scoring from close range to give us a slender half time lead. The anxiety levels continued to rise and were best demonstrated by Rawsthorne on the sidelines treating a disputed corner decision by the referee as if it were some sort of border dispute in the Israeli-Palestinians conflict! For the first twenty minutes of the second half we were on the rack, make no mistake. We struggled to retain possession and could only get deeper and deeper as Ashton retained the ball and put us under pressure eventually equalising. However this seemed to act as a wake up call, and rather than crumbling we began to get stronger, more organised and effective. This resulted in us retaking the lead from a melee after a corner when Low slotted in. For the remainder of the match whilst there were moments of brief panic in the main we defended well and held out for a deserved victory. All we need to do now is make sure we maintain this level of commitment and concentration for the remaining 3 games of the season. - IW
Sat. 17th Apr 2010	V	Thornleigh 'B' (a) 2 - 7 (ht.2-1) scorers : T. Bowerman, A. Hayhurst
		After two big wins during the week promotion was back in our own hands and 7 points from possible 9 would see us go up. For our last away trip of the season we had to make many changes to cope with a big stag party to Gateshead taking away a few players and we made a massive 7 changes to the starting XI from our win on Thursday. However, we still had a strong team but knew it would be difficult on o bone hard, dry pitch in warm weather. The home side threatened 2 or 3 times before they went a goal up. Although there was a strong call for offside, the goal stood and like so many times this season we were a goal down. Like the other games this fired us up and we were level within 2 minutes. Rob Cooper controlled a ball in the area and passed it back to Tim Bowerman who fired into the bottom corner. Moments later we took the lead with an Adam Hayhurst shot similar to Craig Lathom earlier in the season, on the same pitch - a good shot that the keeper should have saved. We held this lead till half-time but the game was still in the balance. Now, this reporter has been with the club for 10 years and the next 45 minutes were, without doubt, the worst i've been involved in. Everything that could go wrong went wrong and we were simply dreadful. We didn't pass the ball well, move well or win any second balls - and hardly any first balls. Almost every shot they had went in and our goal difference took a hammering as we conceded 6 un-answered goals in that second period. Various changes in personnel and tactics didn't work and our heads went down further and further with each goal conceded. Maybe we've played too many games recently or maybe we just didn't want it enough. With teo games to go we can still go up, if we win them both, but it may come down to goal difference and currently that doesn't favour us. Our main rivals have to play each other but if we don't improve on this performance it on't matter. Two games left and two wins needed. - MB
Tue. 20th Apr 2010	V	Thornleigh 'A' (h) 8 - 3 (ht.0-2) scorers : M. Finney 3, R. Cooper 3, G. Halse, D. Cook
		After Saturday’s disappointing performance and result we had the perfect opportunity to get back on track against a team from the same club as the side that humbled us at the weekend and were sitting bottom of the league. With some key players back in the squad we had every reason to feel confident going into the match. However, we carried on from where we left off at the weekend and started very poorly. We were quickly two goals down and lucky not to be three down after the referee wrongly ruled a goal for them offside. Some changes at half-time got us going again but the visitors extended their lead to 0-3 with a goal that was offside after the linesman was caught napping (erm sorry lads!). With our season going down the pan it took an inspired performance from half-time substitute Matt Finney to save our season. Firstly he assisted Rob Cooper for a goal and then helped himself to a quick hat-trick to put us 4-3 up. This seemed to demoralise Thornleigh and after they took their star player off we managed to score another four in the last 15 minutes. Cook scored a good volley, Halse scored a penalty after he was fouled in the box and Cooper scored another two to complete his hat-trick. One game to go and a win needed – especially as the league have started dishing out away points to our rivals!! - MB
Sat. 24th Apr 2010	V	O. Blackburnians 'B' (h) 4 - 0 (ht.0-0) scorers : T. Lannigan, D. Low, G. Halse, R. Cooper
		3rd Team Promoted: Last game of the season and thanks to the withdrawal of Hesketh it meant a win and we would be up and not have to rely on any other results. A loss or a draw and we would be waiting for other results to go our way. A hot day and a baked hard pitch were not going to make things easy. The first half was an edgy affair - Blacks created a couple of decent chances and were unlucky not to score. However during the first half they used two subs and it was clear that one or two of their more experienced players were going to tire in the conditions. After half time we initially continued to struggle to create clear chances, with the best ones coming from set pieces. Low came on and made an immediate impact, three great in swinging corners produced two goals - the first from Lannigan (off his nose!) and the second going straight in. Hurst then pulled off a good save to deny Blacks and from his punt up the field Halse headed over the keeper and into the net. There was still time for a fourth when a penalty was converted by Cooper - a somewhat better effort than his penalty of a fortnight ago. The game finished 4:0 - a rare clean sheet for us. Well done to everyone who has contributed this season even if it was just for a game here or there. Having used up brownie points to attend the stagless stag do the week previously I didn't get to enjoy any celebrations in town, however I look forward to seeing everyone who played during the season at the end of season do on May 14 (see Social page for details) when I am sure we will be having a few sherbets to celebrate. - IW

Click one of these links to see Table, Results & Match Report for that team.
1st Team - 2nd Team - 3rd Team - 4th Team - Vets / Friendlies

4th Team

Final League Table, Fixtures, Results and Match Reports
Division 7 - 2009/2010 season

POS	Division 1	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	PTS
1	Broughton Amateurs 'B'	18	12	3	3	77	38	39	39
2	Rossendale Amateurs 'C'	18	11	5	2	61	37	24	38
3	Oldham Hulmeians "A"	18	11	2	5	63	52	11	35
4	Bolton Wyresdale "B"	18	9	4	5	37	32	5	31
5	Horwich RMI 'A'	18	9	3	6	44	32	12	30
6	Rossendale Amateurs 'D'	18	6	5	7	57	60	-3	23
7	Radcliffe Town 'B'	18	5	2	11	48	60	-12	17
8	Mostonians "B"	18	4	3	11	38	59	-21	15
9	Oldham Hulmeians "B"	18	4	2	12	33	59	-26	14
10	Bury GS 'B'	18	4	1	13	33	62	-29	13

4th Team CHAMPIONS & Promoted to Div 6 North.
Results, Scorers and Match Reports.

Sat. 12th Sept 2009	V	Rossendale Ams 'D' (h) 4 - 4 (ht.3-1) scorers : G. Cornwell 4
		First game of the season has finally arrived. We started the game with a couple of new players which included a long waited return for Charlie!! Welcome home pal ha-ha.. Anyway the game began very brightly we started extremely well and took an early lead through George. After the goal we continued to put pressure on Rossendale and by half time we were 3-1 up with George grabbing a first half hat-trick!! The second half began, i don't know what Jay put in those drink bottles but whatever it was it suddenly turned us into a very average looking football team. We continued playing badly and in no time at all we saw ourselves 4-3 down!! I honestly thought we'd thrown it away but then right at the death we got a penalty which George dispatched beautifully. We took away a point which is better than nothing at all, lets hope we perform better next week!! RF.
Sat. 19th Sept 2009 Cup Rd 1	V	Rossendale Ams 'C' (a) 3 - 0 (ht.2-0) scorers : G. Cornwell, S. Thompson, D. Harle
NB: All 4 teams won today.		After last weeks performance, we needed to put that aside and kick start are season properly. I made a few changes to the starting 11 which straight away you could tell the difference. We started extremely well passing, moving and keeping hold of the ball. This paid off when a great move was finished off by Daniel Harle for his first of the season. From the re-take we continued playing to our ability, so I knew we would grab a few more playing like this, and yet again I was right haha... The goal came from an unbelievable pass from Jon Clayton of which George calmly finished!! H/T The second half began exactly where we left off, Rossendale were now getting the run around!! We finished off the scoring with a great solo strike from Sam making it 3-0! Game set and Match well done boys!!! - RF
Sat. 26th Sept 2009	V	Bury GS 'B' (a) 12 - 1 (ht.6-0) scorers : G. Cornwell 3, S. Thompson 3, C. Cornwell 2, S. Corrigan, J. Yates, C. McCrudden, T. Greenhalgh
		I woke up with a good feeling about this game. Well I said a good feeling, I would never of dreamed of how it ended up. Ok here we go, we started exactly where we left off from last week, Bury just couldn’t touch the ball. We were playing some great football. Even though the pitch was really small we still managed to play our usual way of using the wingers a lot. To be honest we scored that many I can’t even remember the order of who scored when. Well anyway George and Sam both got great hat-tricks. Charlie got a well deserved brace. Now for the first time in Broughton’s history!! Finally Jay and Steffan have scored in the same game haha!! To top things off Chris and Tom both grabbed a goal each. The only downside to the game was their goal which came from sloppy defending which led to them having there first and only shot of the game which went passed Tom just, making the final score 12-1!! All in all Bury got smashed by the shear class of Broughton!! Keep it up Boys!! - RF
Sat 3rd Oct 2009	V	Bury GS 'B' (h) 4 - 3 (ht.4-0) scorers : S. Thompson 2, D. Harle, S. Corrigan
		Broughton make heavy work of light meal... So on paper, the neutral could be forgiven for thinking that this match was a foregone conclusion. We were playing the same team demolished the week before 12-1 and so a repeat score line must be contemplated. Football is "a funny old game" though, and in this match in particular, we showed why we are one of the favourites for the title whilst also showing that we could be at the opposite end of the table if the second half performance occurs with any regularity over the course of the season. We started brightly, short intricate passing coming thick and fast and the movement of the side at a desirable pace. The ball was being played from side to side crisply with an air of flamboyance and neatness. It was no surprise when Broughton took the lead. The ball bouncing kindly for Harle who sweetly finished with his instep. Classy goal. The next was a piece of genius, Thomson spotting the keeper of his line and curling a delicious shot into the top corner from 25 yards. The whole Broughton team looked assured, with the right hand side looking particularly sound. Hoban crossing with precision and menace. It was from a Hoban cross that Corrigan converted and made the game 3-0. Floodgates open? Just before the half time whistle Thomson made it 4-0 and surely the game was over just as mentioned before. So as Broughton trudged off for their half-time team talk, they must have been mugged, beaten, and then replaced by a different side. As when the second half began and continued, we were a shambles. Long lofted balls aimlessly punted up to the forwards, defence uncertainty and a lack of drive. No not Bury, these were all characteristics of Broughton. And so as the minutes drew on, Bury had a game plan of aiming for Broughton's left hand side which looked frail at best. And so as the half wore on, it became clear that Bury had not given up and they showed that with three unanswered goals. Promotion foregone conclusion? Not on this evidence... - RF
Sat. 10th Oct 2009 Cup Rd 2	V	Old Mancunians 'B' (h) 5 - 1 (ht.-) scorers : J. Fannon, S. Thompson 2, T. Greenhalgh, A. Baldwin
		Match report will be inserted here when submitted.
Sat. 17th Oct 2009	V	Bolton Wyresdale 'B' (h) 6 - 3 (ht.1-2) scorers : J. Fannon 2, S. Thompson, D. Downham, T. Greenhalgh, S. Corrigan
		Here we are again!! Saturday morning before another must needed 3 points towards are promotion bid!! Up went the nets on when the kit, then came the team talk!! After last weeks performance i was expecting a great start but as we all know we never make it easy for ourselves. This showed when Bolton scored directly from a corner after 5 minutes!! After the goal we kept our heads up and kept playing decent football, the only problem was every time we went forward the final ball kept letting us down. Hang on I spoke to soon!! as on the half an hour mark a great long ball forward was despatched nicely by Tommy G lobbing the keeper!! Finally we’d got off the mark, at this point i thought right deadlock broken on we go to a comfortable win!! Boy was i wrong!! What looked like an easy to deal with ball turned into a nightmare at the back which led to them taking a 2-1 lead in at the break!! Half time team talked consisted with a few stern words from me and from our captain marvellous Stefan Corrigan!! Only one change was made at half time and that was Jonathan Clayton being replaced by Dave Downham. Second half kicked off we looked a totally different team Bolton had not known what had hit them and it didn’t take long till we drew level when Joe Fannon was slipped through beautifully to smash the ball home 2-2!! The ball is now in our court, it was up to us now to take the game out of reach of Bolton!! It looked as though we were going to when an unbelievable ball from Fannon was beautifully headed home by Dave Downham!! Finally we had the lead, but it wasn’t gonna last long as Bolton scored even though he was offside!! We were fuming and protested but the strike stood 3-3!! All credit to our lads as we forgot about that goal and went on to re-take the lead through Joe Fannon. Then Joe was involved in the next goal but this time it was because their defender blatantly hacked him down inside the box... Penalty!! Instead of Joe stepping up to take it for his hat-trick Sam being his selfish sort took it to make it 5-3!! We were now into the last 10 minutes of the game when we rapped up the scoring with a well deserved goal through our skipper Stefan Corrigan 6-3!! In the end my men turned on the style in the second half to keep our 100 per cent record at home this season intact!! - RF
Sat 24th Oct 2009	V	Radcliffe Town 'B' (a) 4 - 0 (ht.2-0) scorers : J. Fannon 2, T. Greenhalgh, C. Cornwell
		On a day, that on paper, seemed to be one of the more challenging games for us, we showed great character to overcome Radcliffe and take 3 points back home down the M61. On a pitch that could easily have been used for a rugby match rather than a top of the table football clash, Broughton were faced with the challenge of going back to basics and trying to grind out a victory against a recklessly rugged and physical side in Radcliffe. Fresh from relegation, Radcliffe took advantage in the early stages by dominating the middle of the pitch with number 16 in particular putting in some 'meaty' challenges. It looked early on as if we might wilt under the demands of such a pressure cooker of a game. But after the opening 10 minutes we calmed and rallied. Some good work down the left gave Greenhalgh the time to chest down and crisply volley the ball into the top corner, 1-0. We were beginning the find our form, feel and ultimately our passing. Corrigan and Yates the instigators, and, although it was not as pretty on the deck as they would have liked, it was better than could have been expected on a poor pitch. Fannon showed his class with a great cut inside and a low-driven shot from outside the area to double the lead. The half time whistle came, and despite some late lunges and controversial decisions from the referee, it seemed like Broughton were riding the storm. As the second half progressed it seemed Radcliffe had not given up hope and began to gain a foothold on the game. we were seemingly weary and fresh legs were duly introduced. Cornwell came on for the lethargic Thomson and it was he who within 90 seconds of being on sealed the victory once and for all. The keeper of Radcliffe sent a goal kick tamely to the front line and straight indeed to Cornwell who controlled and sprinted towards goal. With little back lift he powered the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0. There was time for Fannon to add to his tally and make it 14 for the season with a cheeky lob, after being put through by Cornwell. So it seems Broughton can battle as well as play with finese. - RF
Sat. 31st Oct 2009	V	Oldham Hulmeians 'A' (h) 7 - 3 (ht.1-1) scorers : J. Fannon 3, D. Downham, S. Thompson, C. Cornwell 2
		It seemed a day that Broughton would suit. Slippery home pitch with no rain during play time and virtually no wind to hamper proceedings. We are without doubt the best footballing side in the division that we find ourselves in (Lancashire amateur league Division 7 to be precise). All that being said, we do things the hard way? Like a prized boxer, they come out at the bell with their arms at their waist, allowing their opposition the first big blow to the jaw and putting them straight on the back foot with work to do to put things right. Now because they haven't got a glass jaw and allow any other jabs or uppercuts doesn't mean that they can keep getting away with such feeble defensive errors that are littering the play in games this season. It was Oldham this week that registered first blood with a goal of absolute calamity. An aimless punt over the top of our backline looked easy pickings for Strangeway. But, in a moment of madness, he allowed the ball through his legs and therefore in front of his empty goal, allowing the Oldham striker to say 'thank you very much' and make it 1.0. We duly responded, and it was that man Fannon whose very determination with the ball at this feet made him as menacing as he is tenacious. Fannon equalised shortly after we went 1 down and then the real Broughton emerged. Going back to the metaphor previously mentioned, Broughton inflicted blow after devestating blow which would have floored even the great Ali's, Foremans and Brunos. During the course of the game Fannon added another 2, Downham and Thomson got one each and Cornwell added to his seasons tally with another brace. But it was not without further loss as another mistake by Strangeway coupled with a fantastic finish from Oldham's striker made it less comfortable than it should have been. Broughton have all the ingredients but what will they do when their chef leaves to cook wallabies? - RF
Sat. 23rd Jan 2010	V	Rossendale Ams 'C' (h) 3 - 1 (ht.3-0) scorers : A. Fenton, S. Thompson, C. Cornwell
		And so it finally arrived, the first game back after the annual winter break saw us look to continue our rich vein of form again high flying Rossendale. With the recent acrimonious departure of captain marvel Corrigan, it remained to be seen what effect it would have on the teams play. Charlie Cornwell, added to the midfield in the absence of Corrigan whilst also being installed as the new skipper, was one of a few changes to the side. Adam Fenton slotted in up front with a return to the side for Andy Baldwin at left back which meant John Wilson partnered Dave Evans in central defence. Broughton came out of the traps with a fight and belief that epitomises their team spirit putting Rossendale on the back foot. Yates covering every blade of grass as usual & with a sense of calmness engulfing the defence. It wasn't long before fluent team play was rewarded with the opening goal. Cornwell doing well in the middle of the park and unleashing Hoban who, with a jink inside, fed Thompson. The resulting cross was perfection and with a great turn Fenton had made it 1-0. Fannon was his usual busy self and it was his grit and raw determination which gave the game its second goal. Weaving in and out he drew a rash, high challenge from the Rossendale defender in the box. Penalty. Thompson stepped up to caress the ball into the top corner with great accuracy and nonchalance. The third goal was a complete mixture of quality, composure and arrogance. Thompson laying off to Cornwell, who up to this point was having the worst game of his illustrious career, calmly side-footed the ball beyond the stretched hand of the keeper. Genius. Rossendale tried to rally in the second half but depleting enegy levels and a ravaged pitch left the game a scrappy affair. A consolation goal for Rossendale offered little more to the games quality as we ran out comfortable winners. Life goes on without Corrigan, so does the promotion push. - RF
Sat. 6th Feb 2010	V	Oldham Hulmeians 'B' (h) 5 - 0 (ht.1-0) scorers : J. Fannon 2, G. Cornwell, D. Harle, C. McCrudden
		We started the game with a few changes from the previous week. These were Adam Stone in for Tom Strangeway and a welcome back to George Cornwell and me. The match kicked off, we started really slow and were making life hard for ourselves. All half I thought we were really poor, as it looked like we were heading for a goalless first half Daniel Harle pounced on a failed clearance striking the ball home. Half Time 1-0 Broughton. I made the one change at half time and that was Tommy G off me on. We finally started showing hints of the football we can play and showing just why we are unbeaten this season. This all paid off when Joe Fannon calmly finished making it 2-0. That goal kicked us into gear even more, we should of made it 3 but Chris somehow from 3 yards out headed the ball over. Oh! and no matter what you say Sam, yours is still by far the worst miss we’ve ever seen, FACT!!! Chris soon got over the miss producing a great run through the Oldham defence to slot the ball calmly home. Now with 20 minutes left on the clock I made the second change, George on for Dan, this change gave us some fresh legs up the top. We made it game over when Joe pounced on a keeper error to make it 4-0. As the game came to a close George grabbed a fifth goal which I must say was scored Ruel Fox style haha! Game over 5-0, all-in-all very happy with the second half performance but much more should have been done in the first half. Let’s keep this unbeaten run going boys. - RF
Sat. 13th Feb 2010	V	Horwich RMI 'A' (a) 3 - 1 (ht.2-1) scorers : T. Greenhalgh, S. Thompson, C. McCrudden
		The big one, the one which had all the pundits, neutrals and prospective fans drooling over. 1st v 3rd in an all out slug fest with the winner gaining psychological as well as mathematical advantage, plus of course the bragging rights for the rest of the season. Our promotion push has so far been un-dented with an assured undefeated start to the season for the Preston based outfit. Horwich though, were always going to be a tough test and so the return of Evans to the fold was a welcome boost for us especially with the continued absence of injured defender Downham. Baldwin continued with his place at left back with Wilson and Turner making the back line meaning a place on the bench for Greenhalgh. We have played all season with a vigour and finesse but to say we are slow out of the blocks is an understatement. In fairness, the fact that the team is playing in such a standard, we have got away with being like a hung-over office worker after the Christmas party all year. You did wonder however how they would react to the pasting they received early in the game here in the outskirts of Manchester. A slip from Wilson allowed Horwich in and with a brilliant finish they were 1-0 up. In almost 'Rocky Balboa' circumstances, we had received a cut eye and a broken nose inside a few minutes in almost identical fashion to the game against O.Blacks last season. Like the Italian Stallion though, we threw back a left hook of our own almost immediately. Hoban giving the ball to Thomson on the right who instinctively gave the ball back. A superb first touch allowed Hoban the space and time to look to pick out Fannon at the far post. His cross hit a divot and looped over the keeper in what could have been a piece of real quality...if he'd meant it. After which, Like Ivan Drago, Horwich were stunned. Not even the Russian chants from the sideline could rejuvenate their side. On a pitch that looked as appropriate for football as a raw meat chiller is for boxing training, we began to look assured. A corner was cleared by Hoban to Fannon who delivered a Johnny Heitinga pass over the top for Thomson who instantly controlled and squeezed it in to make it 2-1. Horwich were forced to knock to aimless long balls over the top to look for their way back into the game, and they nearly got back on level terms a minute before the interval when Evans had to make a last-ditch tackle to stop a clear goal-scoring opportunity. The second half was a drab affair. Tasty tackles, poor distribution and tiring legs made the game tick over rather than give the neutral anything to enjoy. Greenhalgh did however add to his tally for the season with a glorious back post volley. Oh, and Thomson missed another sitter! - RF
Sat. 6th Mar 2010	V	Oldham Hulmeians 'B' (a) 6 - 2 (ht.2-0) scorers : S. Thompson 2, D. Harle, J. Fannon, M. Fletcher, T. Greenhalgh
		We arrived at Oldham looking to go 10 games unbeaten, so as you can tell we were exploding with confidence. As the game kicked off on one of the most uneven and bobbly pitches I’ve ever seen we started rather slow and let Oldham settle down and play football. After 10 minutes of play we could have been one down but a great reflex save to his left hand corner by Tom kept it out to keep the game at 0-0. Let’s just say that was a kick up the backside for us which 5 minutes later paid off with Sam Thompson pouncing on a defensive error to slot the ball home 1-0. I had a feeling that was the moment that would start the riot of goals for us, that feeling was a good one when 5 minutes later Joe Fannon struck the ball home sweetly to make it 2- 0. We went in at half time looking comfortable. The second half kicked off as we left it pressurising Oldham which again looked to pay off when Tommy G struck the ball home, but to all our amazement the Ref ruled it offside he’s had a howler there I’m afraid. However on we went with the game and conceded a corner which we defended terribly and conceded a really soft goal 2-1 game on. To be fair to the lads they got on with it and soon had our two goal lead back intact when Sam again finished well. Within 5 minutes of the re-take we were awarded a penalty which Daniel Harle stepped up to slot it home, but wait Oldham weren’t yet done they got themselves a lifeline when again from a corner they scored 4-2. We finally made the game dead and buried with a well struck corner headed home by the flying Matt Fletcher, Broughton weren’t finished yet though. When Tommy G got the ball just inside their half he smashed the ball towards goal, at this point we were all like what’s he doing until it flew into the top left corner. The lad had only gone and scored an absolute cracker. Final whistle blows and ends a good game of football and sees Broughton continue their unbeaten run. - RF
Sat. 13th Mar 2010	V	Rossendale Ams 'D' (h) 3 - 1 (ht.2-0) scorers : J. Fannon, D. Bingham, J. Wilson
		Our title challenge looked in no danger of being derailed today on a lush playing surface in the heart of Lancashire. A performance more of grit than flair, granted, but all teams at various times need to dig deep and grind out a result if they want to excel and succeed. As previously mentioned the pitch was of pristine condition and should have allowed our cutting edge, dynamic football to be illustrated. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case. Deprived of influential players: Cornwell and Hoban. We began at a decent pace, trying to dictate the play despite not having the drive of Cornwell in the middle and no Heitinga passes from centre half Evans. Offensively it was working, but defensively we were getting caught time and time again through the middle on the counter due to the tactical unawareness of the two attack minded central midfielders. On the right wing, making his comeback was Bingham who worked tirelessly, reminiscent of Dirk Kuyt. But for more clinical finishes from the Rossendale players, we could have, for all our dominance, found ourselves three goals down in the first half. As it happened, we took the lead through a piece of genius. A touch of class by Fannon gave him the time to find Wilson and with a superb first time return ball, Fannon was in, enough said - 1-0. We capitalized on this initiative we now had and with almost comical circumstances Bingham netted his comeback goal. The second half again was drab with neither side really having any impetus. A few wayward shots, as well as the miss of the season by Bingham led us to a state of complacency. When both teams begin to wane, it takes more talent to produce a piece of magic. Up steps John Wilson. A lovely cut back gave him a clear side of goal, 25 yards out. The crowd gasped with anticipation as he shaped to shoot, and with the outcome a top-corner finish, the question of who to award man of the match was answered in a flash. Rossendale did have time to ruin stand in skipper Strangeway’s second game with the arm band, as a slack piece of defending at left back allowed Rossendale to get a decent cross in. A superb header on the turn deceived Strangeway and nestled. 3-1. So as Broughton trudged off after the final whistle it seems that the departure of Corrigan is now a mere memory. Broughton have coped admirably without their commander and chief, but with the departure now of Cornwell, do Broughton have sufficient quality in the middle to cope with another roster casualty? League and Cup double? On this evidence, it’s worth a punt. - RF
Sat. 27th Mar 2010	V	Oldham Hulmeians 'A' (a) 2 - 4 (ht.0-2) scorers : S. Thompson, D. Bingham
		We arrived at Oldham thinking it’s an easy 3 points this, but boy we were badly wrong. We started the game with two of our best players Charlie and Joe missing, we also only had 11 men. Anyway we kicked off and straight away we were under pressure and letting Oldham play their football on I must say was a terrible pitch. Soon after the kick off we found ourselves one down when the defence let the player turn and shoot in the box. This goal I thought was going to be a kick up the are we needed. Was I right? No I wasn’t in fact we got worse and soon found ourselves 2 down. Half time finally arrived and stern words were said. In all fairness to the lads they made a kind of a fight of it when we pulled a goal back through Sam Thompson. Things settled for a while until with 15mins left we got a second with a cheeky finish from Dan Bingham*. At this moment I honestly thought we were going to grab at least a point. Then Baldy decides to do a David James style star jump to block the shot. Penalty to Oldham.... it finished 4-2, we lost our first and hopefully last game of the season. - RF
Sat. 3rd Apr 2010	V	Rossendale Ams 'C' (a) 5 - 5 (ht.1-3) scorers : J. Fannon, M. Finney, S. Thompson 2, J. Yates
		After all the agro of which venue and the kick off time was sorted, we finally arrived at Rossendale needing to bounce back from our unexpected defeat to Oldham. The pitch was a disgrace, puddles all over it but yet the Ref said game on. So off we went or should I say off Rossendale went, within minutes we were one down due to a communication error at the back. After the restart it looked like that goal was just a kick up the backside when we drew level with a splendid individual effort by Jason Yates. This is it the turning point! Or was it?... Afraid not. We made another two howlers at the back to let Rossendale go in at half time 3-1 ahead. Second half began and we started a lot better and slowly we were adapting to the pitch, it wasn’t long before we pulled it back to 3-2 with a nice finished off move by Sam Thompson. This goal gave us the belief that we can get something from this game. It wasn’t long before we found ourselves 4-3 up with two quick goals from Sam Thompson, and Matt Finney. Then again just like the first half we slipped up and allowed Rossendale back into the game 4-4. Now with only 5 minutes left Joe got played through and finished brilliantly. At this point I was celebrating thinking what a great win this will be, but yet again that smile was wiped clean off my face when with literately the last kick of the game Rossendale equalised to make it a full time score of 5-5. - RF
Wed. 7th Apr 2010	V	Horwich RMI 'A' (h) 2 - 2 (ht.1-1) scorers : S. Thompson 2
		We looked to rescue our faltering campaign on home soil against a Horwich side ridden with ringers. Broughton welcomed back skipper Hoban, with Tom Greenhalgh occupying a striking berth alongside Thompson. Strangeway returned in goal allowing the backline to look something like one which has been accustomed to clean sheets and rock solid defending. The game started with us pushing all the right buttons. A rejuvenated Sam Thompson hassled and harried, giving the Horwich defenders no time on compose themselves on the ball. The re-jigged frontline allowed Thompson to play on the last shoulder, looking for the flick-ons from Greenhalgh. This tactic seemed to be working fantastically well and with the poise and unpredictability of Fannon drifting in from the left, we were in total control inside the first 20 mins. Hoban, jinking inside fed Fannon with a crisp pass who pushed the ball past the keeper but found the angle too acute with his effort just missing. Thompson found himself in decent goal-scoring areas more frequently as the half wore on and should have done better with just the keeper to beat on one occasion after being sent clear by Greenhalgh. With Broughton's failure to turn their domination into goals, Horwich began to assert themselves with renewed enthusiasm and vigour. Down the right side, the pace of their winger started to cause all sorts of problems and with repeated efforts came success with more than one opportunity being presented and missed by Horwich. As the half-time whistle came it was us who looked like we would take the game by the scruff of the neck and needed that integral first goal. That goal duly came and it was a piece of determination rather than flair which gave us the lead. Hoban winning a Cahill-type header in the centre of the park which sent Greenhalgh left, Hoban then sprinted down the right wing and demanded a return ball. He received it and began to surge forward. Cutting back and giving the ball to Yates - some pin-ball-style football ended with the ball at Thompson’s feet who confidently put the hosts in the driving seat. 1-0. Most likely because results have not been the best of late we seemed to suffer from a bout of anxiety and were put on the back foot with Horwich searching for the equaliser. It came in comedic circumstances. A cross from the right was belted into the six yard box with Evans turning the ball into his own net. 1-1. It would be unfair to go any further without noting the importance of David Evans to this Broughton side. Every week he is given a different defensive partner in the heart of the Broughton backline. Last night, he put in a nearly perfect performance - epitomised by a terrific last-ditch tackle to stop the visitors turning their ascendancy into a lead. We responded to the equaliser with a goal of our own. A delicious through-ball from Yates gave Thompson the opportunity to get his second. He obliged by chipping an audacious effort over the keeper to make it 2.1 Again we were pegged back, and not even a wonder-save from Strangeway could prevent Turner turn-ing the ball into his own net. 2-2 is not a bad result but still the free-flowing performances of the early and middle parts of the season are not as consistent. In order to achieve promotion, we MUST keep Dave Evans playing centre-back, Must give J-Yates freedom to influence and Sam Thompson MUST keep working hard. Above all else, Joe Fannon MUST play as much as possible as he is the locksmith to any defence. - RF
Sat. 10th Apr 2010	V	Mostonians 'B' (a) 0 - 2 (ht.-) scorers : -
		Match Report will appear here when submitted.
Mon. 19th Apr 2010	V	Radcliffe Town 'B' (h) 6 - 1 (ht.-) scorers : C. Cornwell, J. Yates, D. Bingham, J. Fannon, S. Thompson 2.
		Match Report will appear here when submitted.
Sat. 24th Apr 2010	V	Bolton Wyresdale 'B' (a) 2 - 4 (ht.-) scorers : S. Thompson, J. Fannon
		Match Report will appear here when submitted.
Mon. 26th Apr 2010 Cup Semi	V	Rossendale Ams 'B' (a) 0 - 4 (ht.0-1) scorers : -
		Match report will be inserted here when submitted.
Sat. 8th May 2010	V	Mostonians 'B' (h) 3 - 1 (ht.-) scorers : S. Thompson, C. McCrudden, D. Bingham
		4ths are confirmed as CHAMPIONS. Match Report will appear here when submitted.

Click one of these links to see Table, Results & Match Report for that team.
1st Team - 2nd Team - 3rd Team - 4th Team - Vets / Friendlies

Friendlies, Vets Team, and Other Matches
during 2009 / 2010 season

No Vets competition this season.

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Tue. 28th July 2009		2nd Team v Newton FC (h) 3 - 3 (ht.2-2) @ Broughton scorers: C. Bell, N. Eccles, P. Harford

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Sat. 1st Aug. 2009		1st Team v Ribbleton (h) 7 - 2 (ht.5-1) @ Broughton scorers: P. Harford 2, A. Butterworth 2, N. Eccles, R. Taylor, S. Rawsthorn

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Thu. 6th Aug. 2009		2nd Team v Continental (h) 3 - 3 (ht.0-2) @ Broughton scorers: N. Eccles 3

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Thu. 13th Aug. 2009		3rd Team v Newman College Academy (h) 0 - 0 (ht.0-0) @ Newman

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Sat. 15th Aug 2009		1st Team v Horwich RMI (h) 2 - 2 (ht.0-1) @ Myerscough scorers: N. Eccles, J. Seddon

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY Thu. 20th Aug. 2009		1st Team v Houghton (a) - (ht.-) scorers: -

1st Team - 2nd Team - 3rd Team - 4th Team - Vets / Friendlies