22/5/2025 AFC Blackpool 0-2 Ashton Town NWCD1 North

 Happy Trip To The Seaside for Ashton

Todays game seen me take a trip to sunny Blackpool to watch AFC Blackpool v Ashton Town in the North West Counties Div 1 North. 

Both teams came into this one in great form with neither side loosing a game since the turn of the year. AFC Blackpool boasting two cup wins against Premier league teams along the way and some emphatic league wins to see them climb the table and charging towards the playoffs. Ashton also had eyes on the playoffs after picking up points this year.

On a bobbly pitch with a blustery wind both teams struggled to control the ball with early counter attacks in the first 5 minutes for both side, Gregory for AFC and Howard for Ashton both unable to capitalize on being played through. Two more chances came a piece for both sides, G. Lomax for Ashton unlucky with an audacious attempt from the halfway line nearly catching the keeper out. At the other end a smart strike from Carter seen Trenerry tip the ball round the post. 

After a frantic first 15 minutes the goal mouth action stopped with both teams repelling attacks. AFCs center mid partnership of Robinson and Stirling kept them ticking over whilst Ashton's center backs pair of Kenny and Burke snuffing out any AFC attack. 

The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute by Ashton. Another counter attack from them seen Prescott race away down the right. A cross to the back post seen Howard keep the attack alive and fired the ball into the box where C. Lomax was on hand to bury home to give Ashton the lead at half time. 

The second half was much of the same with both teams cancelling each other out and only have half chances each. 

The last 20 minutes seen the game spark into life again. Ashton's sub Brown down well in closing the keeper down to be gifted the ball by him, but with two chances to score, Whittingham redeemed himself by keeping the ball out both times. 

With 15 minutes left, the Lomax brothers worked the ball well between each other which seen George's effort saved. With 10 to go, a long ball up from AFC seen it flicked on to Gregory who cut inside but his shot was blazed over. 

Ashton doubled their lead in the 85min from a freekick on the left. The ball played into the near post and it was bundled in by Brown to put the game beyond AFC. In stoppage time, a short back pass from AFC seen their keeper bring down Brown for a penalty after great closing down again, but Hamiliton's effort hit the bar to keep the 2-0. But that was the last kick of the game. 

In what was a game lacking in clear cut chances, it made a good watch between two inform teams not giving an inch to each other and am sure both teams will continue to climb the table. 

The win for Ashton sees them move up to 9th, 11 points off the playoffs. AFC stay 7th and now 6 away from the playoffs.

AFC Blackpool 0

Ashton Town 2

C. Lomax (42)

Brown (85)

ATT: 85

15/02/2025 Macron Cup Quarter Final: Charnock Richard 5 - 1 Maghull

 No cupset as Charnock brush aside Maghull

Todays game seen me visit Mossie Park to watch Charnock Richard v Maghull in the quarter final of the Macron cup. With it pitting an experience NWC Prem side against a new division one team, it would be interesting to see how Maghull faired. 

In nippy conditions the game got underway in front of 175 fans. After seeing Maghull a few times already this season, it was no surprise to see them start well even against a team from a higher division. Maghull's high aggressive press nearly resulted in a few errors from the Charnock defense who like to play out from the back. One of them chances came to Jacob Till who was a threat early on. Till cut inside onto this right foot and sent a curling effort just past the post. 

It took midway through the first half for Charnock to fashion a chance of their own. Good interplay with their forward players seen the ball played to Matthew Davies who had a shot blocked out for a corner. This gave encouragement to the Charnock team and after a spell of sustained pressure, the first goal came after 28 minutes. A shot from Riding was well saved by Carry but the ball fell to Haydock who made no mistake with the keeper on the floor. 

Maghull where not put off by this goal, and got their equalizer shortly after on 30 minutes. An attack down the left hand side seen Worden fire a cross to the back post for Moffitt to tap home. Charnock re-took the lead again shortly after on 34 minutes. A scramble in the Maghull box resulted in a corner to Charnock. The ball was recycled a few times and found its way onto the head of Riding who flicked it past the keeper. 

With both teams not giving each other anytime on the ball, freekicks were often with Charnock being rewarded one on the 42nd minutes just outside the Maghull box. Riding stepped up and curled the ball over the wall and beyond the keeper to give them a 3-1 lead at half time. 

The second half started with Charnock now controlling things with their two goal lead. It wasn't until the 60th minute before another chance was created. A corner for Charnock fell to the back post. With Maghull's Till about to clear, he seemed to be clipped by a Charnock player. Although close to the assistant referee, a foul wasn't given. The ball was played to the back post where Nickeas was to tap home. Maghull players where incensed by this mistake by the officials as it effetely killed the tie off. This was confirmed when another dangerous corner found its way to Gourley to head home to make it 5-1. Four of their goals came from set pieces today and with how dangerous the crosses where, you can see why. 

The game settled into a lull for the rest of the half with the prem team controlling any Maghull attacks. Nickeas nearly got a second with a dipping effort late on that clipped the bar. Maghull nearly got the final goal with a headed attempt from the hardworking Brannigan but it was cleared off the line. 

Final score was 5-1 to Charnock. Its hard to say the score line flattered them as they were the better side throughout but their excellent set plays was the difference. Maghull can take heart from the game as they never stopped and will be good for the experience playing against higher opposition. 

FT:
Charnock Richard 5

Haydock (28), Young (34), Riding (42), Nickeas (61), Gourley (68)

Maghull 1 

Moffitt (30)

ATT: 175

8/2/2025 Pilkington 0 - 1 FC St Helens NWC Prem

 FC St Helens win the battle of the St Helens Derby

I was down watching the second instalment of "El Glassico", the St Helens derby, of the North Counties Prem this afternoon.

With both teams at other ends of the table, a FC win would of been a forgone conclusion, but like most derbies, form goes out the window and sometimes you have to grind out a win which is what this game turned out to be with FC St Helens winning narrowly 1-0.

With a packed crowd of 202 down at Ruskin Sports Village, the first half started like most local derbies, tough tackles, rushed passes and half chances. The only noticeable moment of the first 15 minutes was an early snap shot from Pilks' Beigan who let fly from outside of the box but was well saved by McClenaghan. Both teams continued to probe each other and half chances came to nothing from both teams until the 19th a counter attack from FC resulted in Barker beating the offside trap to bare down on goal. Unselfishly, laid a pass to the back post for Houghton who was steamrolling in to side foot past the keeper. 

FC then had the bit between their teeth and continued to harry and press the Pilks' back line resulting in a good effort by Barker who dragged an effort wide. As Pilks' pressed for an equalizer, a few counter attacks sent Barker free but both times seen his efforts just go wide of the goal. Just before the half time whistle, Barker again had a shot which found its way to the back post again for Smith to tap home but a fantastic point blank save from Hilton kept it 1-0 at half time. 

The second half started in the same fashion as the first with both teams nipping at each other and counter attacks a plenty. Garbutt was having some joy this half with flick ons and done an excellent job of bringing Pilks up the pitch to create chances. Pilks best chance falling on the hour mark with a great bit of play between Garbutt and Beigan resulting in the ball being played to Gilchrist whos faked shot opened up space to let fly, it was only a great block by the FC defense that stopped them drawing level. Two more chances fell to Beigan and Garbutt but some great saves kept FC their lead. 

Nearly a comical goal came after FC's McClenghan didn't check his shoulder and placed the ball down for a kick out, Gilchrist sneaked up on him to rob him of the ball, but could only see his effort fall wide. Pilks made some changes and it was Davage who was doing great things on the left to create chances. One fell to him this time in the 80th min but it was on his weaker right foot and couldn't get any power on it. With Pilks again pushing forward, chances came on the counter for FC but with tired legs efforts where either well saved by Hilton of wide of either post.  

Seven minutes where added on much to the disbelief of FC's staff but FC managed to hold on for the win to keep their play off hopes alive. Pilks still looking over their should at the relegation places but have a 5 point gap over Squires Gate with a game in hand also. 

Both sets of fans should be happy with both teams performances and whilst a lack of goals might make it a dull game, the feistiness and panic of a derby game made this an enjoyable watch.

Pilkington 0 - 1 FC St Helens

Liam Houghton 19

Att: 202

Ashton Athletic 3 v 3 Garstang 1/2/25

 Todays game seen two teams low on confidence and still looking for their first win of 2025 with Garstang visiting Ashton Athletic in the North West Counties Division 1. 

Garstang who are 15 points adrift of safety got off to a great with Bajraliu opening the scoring in the 8th minute. In a scrappy first half it took until the 44th minute for Athletic to draw level with Hill slotting home. 

The second half followed suite with neither team managing to get a foothold in the game, the cutting up of the pitch not helping each teams passing game. Ashton's plan of passing out from the back nearly costing them numerous times due to the uneven pitch. 

With both teams having a few half chances and a mix up from the Garstang keeper nearly resulting in a comical own goal, it took until the 70th minute for AA to restore their lead, The ball played into the Garstang box and with no defender taking charge, Hill's strength to hold players off and an instinctive flick finish made it 2-1. AA looked to be in control until some pressure from Garstang resulted in in a corner for the away side With the ball played back post, it was headed back across and diverted by an AA played into their own goal to draw the sides level.

With 10 minutes to go, AA re-took the lead, a counter attack seen the ball played to hill in the box who again made no mistake with a great finish to get his hat-trick. 

Garstang through all they had left in the tank at the defense and nearly scored with 5 minutes to go, with a shot that just went wide after a freekick played into the box. Garstang had one last chance in the 96th minute with a freekick. With the ball played in and not cleared numerous times, it found its way to Squires who finished with the last quick of the game.

3-3 the final score, with no team dominating the game, a draw seemed the fair result, but AA will be kicking themselves for not managing to hold out.