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PROUD TO SPONSOR BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB
A WORD FROM THE GAFFER “We will be measured by what we achieve on the pitch this season” GOOD afternoon and welcome to Barrows Lane Farm for our first home fixture of the 2013/14 season against Cheshire League opponents Gamesley FC. We welcome a Gamesley team who we have had mixed results against us both home and away over recent seasons. No doubt today will be another tough fixture where Billinge FC will need to ensure attitude is spot on and is there to compliment the undoubted ability we have at the club. Welcome to our new signings who will be on parade at Barrows Lane Farm for the first time today in a league fixture, I feel that our early work in the pre-season in terms of securing top local players such as Aaron Cameron, Graham Green, Charles Bloomfield Chris Godwin, Jamie Harrison, Dave Quigley and Daniel Curran have strengthened our squad to an extent where our aspirations this year will be to compete at the top end of the division. Billinge FC has been a busy place since the last ball was kicked and we now have a strong committee in place which is headed up by Chairman Ste Dickson. Just a note of thanks to Ste who has been a tremendous support to me in his roles as chairman and right hand man to me for the first team since I took up the post. At the time of writing we are still to play our fixtures away to reigning champions Knutsford and Greenalls PSO - but regardless of how those results went, today is a big fixture which will have an impact on the momentum we hope to achieve early in the season. The target this season is simple – to bring some First Team silverware to Barrows Lane Farm and there are a number of opportunities to do this with the League Campaign, Divisional Cup, Guardian Cup and Liverpool Challenge Cup. Exciting times are ahead and I feel privileged to be heading up this group of players, but I also understand we will be measured by what we achieve on the pitch this season. Yours in Sport,
PAUL OAKES: MANAGER OF BILLINGE FC
COMMERCIAL CORNER BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB officials are always looking for sponsors to provide further support as they continue to develop their community-based football club. Playing their football at the excellent facilities of the Billinge Soccer Centre at Barrows Farm the club has established themselves in the Cheshire League where they field a first team in Division One and a reserve team in the Reserve Division. This season they have added a Sunday team to their stable and are now looking to progress the club both on and off the field. With over twenty companies already on board the ambitious club are now looking for further partners as they climb the league ladder and also expand the junior and youth sections of the club in during the 2013/14 season. The club offer a range of sponsorship opportunities to suit all budgets that offer a fantastic opportunity for exposure for any company. The packages – starting at just £25 - range from shirt-sponsorship to adverts in the programme, team sponsors, match day sponsorships, training kit endorsements, major club sponsors and much more. A growing number of companies already sponsor Billinge FC in one way or another. We are grateful to all the companies listed below and we would ask you to support them in any way possible.
If you are interested in getting involved with The Storks then just contact a member of the Billinge FC committee.
Saturday July the 7th 2013, and for me the first game of the season, Nelson FC, "The Admirals", v local rivals Accrington Stanley. On a day too warm for wafting the willow, it was certainly too hot for the association code. Nelson obviously a town that has seen better days, but efforts have been made to spruce up the area with a great range of hanging baskets resplendent from virtually every shop front. A credit to someone from up on high. A ten minute walk from the station brings you to Victoria Park, the relatively new home of the former Football League club, who performed their league heroics at their former enclosure of Seedhill. Nelson entered the Football League in 1921/22 finishing in 16th place, one position up from Wigan Borough, whom they entertained for the debut game for both clubs. However the following season the folk of the Lancashire mill town no doubt were amazed to find their club Champions of Division 3 North, beating Bradford Park Avenue into runners-up spot, with Wigan Borough finishing a creditable 5th place. Sadly it was a return to reality in their only Division 2 campaign finishing only one pace from the wooden spoon spot above Bristol City. It was a return to the Northern section the following season,1924/25, but success was narrowly missed coming runners up to Darlington, and above some great football names as New Brighton, Southport and Bradford Park Avenue in 3rd,4th, and 5th places respectively. In those days and throughout the life of the geographical divisions, only the champions were promoted, leaving those connected to the club to ruminate on what might have been. Two upper mid table finishes were then followed by a poor 1927/28 season, finishing bottom, but gaining re-election at the expense of second from last Durham City. The following campaign brought a slight improvement with the "Admirals" finishing at the lower end of mid-table. However the season after North-Easterners Durham were dumped, Ashington became the latest cast offs from the Division 3 Northern Section. A poor 29/30 season finished with the club third bottom, with Southern Section Merthyr being the fall guys, losing their league status. A disastrous 30/31 term brought a rock bottom finish with the club becoming the sixth in five years to lose their league status. The highlights of their Football League days being the championship season perhaps, but even that could be disputed as a pre-season tour to Spain in 1923 brought wins over Real Oviedo and a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid! To possibly even surpass that, the 23/4, 2nd division campaign brought a home victory over Leeds United, the divisional champions that season, and amazingly an away victory at Lancashire rivals Manchester United. Has any team ever won away against Real and United in the same season? But back to the future, and July the 6th 2013 and my visit to North East Lancashire. With a fine history is it any wonder the club are marketing their history in such a positive way? Now owned by an Asian heritage group of individuals, chaired by Fayyaz Ahmed, who wrote a fine programme article on including all members of the towns community in the future development of the club. And what a fine club it is, I was greeted by smiling faces offering raffle tickets, programmes, and directions towards the bar area selling superb curries, as well as the obligatory Mars Bars and Bovrils. And the pitch was as good as I have seen at any level ever, no doubt earning the club the newly adopted strapline of "Little Wembley", to go with the newly adopted nickname of "The History Boys". With a crowd of 301 enjoying proceedings it's a far cry from various memorable victories in the dim and distant past, but who could deny this forward thinking modern club the opportunity to dream of better days and perhaps a return to the lofty heights of The Football League.
DAVE CLARKE
DOWN ON THE FARM BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB: FOUNDED 1988 BARROWS FARM, CARR MILL ROAD, BILLINGE, WN5 7TX
HONOURS 1997-1998: ST HELENS COMBINATION 2ND DIVISION CHAMPIONS AND TOM WORRALL CUP WINNERS 1998-1999: ST HELENS COMBINATION 1ST DIVISION CHAMPIONS 2000-2001: ST HELENS COMBINATION PREMIER DIVISION RUNNERSUP 2001-2002: ST HELENS COMBINATION PREMIER DIVISION CHAMPIONS AND FINALISTS IN THE HOSPITAL CUP AND DH GRIFFITHS CUP 2003-2004: WARRINGTON LEAGUE 1ST DIVISION CHAMPIONS 2005-2006: THE BILL GREY PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD; ANDY LEDGER 2008-2009: PROMOTED TO CHESHIRE LEAGUE 1ST DIVISION 2009-2010: THE BILL GREY PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD; ANDY LEDGER 2010-2011: CHESHIRE LEAGUE CLUB OF THE SEASON 2011-2012: CHESHIRE LEAGUE CUP FINALISTS NEXT AT BARROWS FARM:
THE VILLAGE CLUB IN THE BOARDROOM CHAIRMAN – STEVE DICKSON SECRETARY –LES PILLING ASSISTANT SECRETARY – JAYNE WOOD TREASURER – STEVE BROOKES COMMITTEE MEMBERS DAVE WOOD JAMES WEBB ANDY VAUGHAN GARY FLETCHER
ON THE FIELD FIRST TEAM
CHESHIRE LEAGUE DIVISION ONE: BILLINGE v WHALEY BRIDGE 24 AUGUST 2013 KICK-OFF 3PM ADMISSION: £2 - CONCESSIONS £1 - KIDS UNDER-7 GO FREE BAR OPEN – HOT & COLD DRINKS – HOT FOOD
MANAGER – PAUL OAKES ASSISTANT - STEVE DICKSON RESERVE TEAM MANAGERS –KEITH AMATO & – PAUL FARRELL SUNDAY TEAM MANAGER – DAVE WOOD COACHES HEAD COACH – ADAM LOWERY COACH – JAY HOWARTH
BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB FIRST TEAM FIXTURES 2013/14 GOING TO PRESS THE ONLY LEAGUE FIXTURES RELEASED ARE FOR AUGUST 2013
OPPONENTS
RES/KO
AUGUST 2013 Sat 10/08/13 Tue 13/08/13 Sat 17/08/13 Tue 20/08/13 Sat 24/08/13 Tue 27/08/13 Sat 31/08/13
Knutsford (A) Greenalls PSO (A) GAMESLEY (H) Pilkington (A) WHALEY BRIDGE (H) Garswood United (A) Eagle Sports (A)
L 4-0 L 2-1 15.00 18.30 15.00 18.30 15.00
OCTOBER 2013 Sat 05/10/13
Linotype Cheadle HN (A)
14.30
SCORERS
Evans
CUP MATCH
BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB RESERVE TEAM FIXTURES 2013/14 AUGUST 2013 Thu 08/08/13 Sat 10/08/13 Thu 15/08/13 Sat 17/08/13 Thu 22/08/13 Thu 29/08/13 Sat 31/08/13
OPPONENTS
RES/KO
Pilkington Res (A) EGERTON RES (H) GARSWOOD UNITED RES (H) Gamesley Res (A) Greenalls PSO Res (A) DATEN RES (H) GRAPPENHALL SPORTS RES (H)
L 1-0 W 6-5 W 6-4 15.00 18.30 15.00 15.00
SEPTEMBER 2013 Thu 28/09/13 LINOTYPE CHEADLE HN RES (H) 14.30
SCORERS
CUP MATCH
HOME FIXTURES IN BOLD – BILLINGE SCORE FIRST – PLEASE CHECK ALL FIXTURE DATES ON OUR WEBSITE/TWITTER
FLIGHT OF THE STORKS AWAY –TUESDAY 20 AUGUST 2013 KICK-OFF 6.30PM LOYAL SUPPORTERS
On Tuesday night Billinge FC will be traveling to Pilkingtons for a Cheshire League Division One game. Local derbies are always feisty affairs and games against Pilks are no exception. Kick-off is 6.30pm. Many thanks in advance for your support. Here are all the details you need to get you there:
May we thank you in advance for your support this season at home and at away matches. Your
Ground: Ruskin Drive Sports Ground Address: Ruskin Drive, St Helens Telephone: 07792 298567 (Secretary) Postcode: WA10 6RP Website: www.pilkingtonfc.com Registered Colours: Blue & Black Secretary: Dave Webster Chairman: Ken Magill Manager: Dave Bush
support is much appreciated by the team’s management and players; especially away from home when the team may be up against it with regards to
Directions: From M6 junction 23 to A580. Approx 400 metres after 4th set of traffic lights, turn left and continue to Hope & Anchor pub. Turn right into Bishop Road and continue to halt sign. Continue across halt following road around to Ruskin Road (second road on left). Ground in Ruskin Road on right.
support. At this level of football every penny is vital and your financial support at home matches is essential and your moral and (very) vocal support at home and away is invaluable to the lads on the field. Lets hope we can reward your loyalty with a great season. THE GAFFERS
STORKS FALL SHORT AT THE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS With conditions perfect for playing football and a pitch that resembled a bowling green, Billinge couldn’t quite get a result at Knutsford last Saturday. The 4-0 scoreline may suggest a heavy beating but the Storks were in the game for large periods and for 40 minutes in the middle of the game were the better team. As it was they were undone by three (maybe four) individual errors and if you gift goals to a team of Knutsford’s class then they will punish you. It was Knutsford who were first out the blocks as Tom Hull had to be alert in the second minute as he pushed the ball around for a corner. The resultant set-piece led to nothing and in fact Billinge broke away when good work in the midfield led to Graham Green being out through on goal only for him to be pulled back for a Billinge free-kick with the referee claiming “no advantage!” It was a bizarre decision and to be fair to the official he had a good game after this. With Billinge getting the upper hand on four minutes Danny Curran won the ball in the area but blasted just over. However after this - Knutsford began a period of dominance. Only a fine tackle by Gareth Fletcher prevented a goal after Hull had palmed the ball into the path of the impressive Carlos Edmondson. Moments later Hull had to be alerted as Edmondson fired over from distance. Billinge were back in the game when a long Hull clearance caught the head of a Knutsford defender that left the excellent Knutsford keeper Mark Higgs scrambling back to tip it over. However on 28 minutes the home side were ahead. A long diagonal ball caught the Billinge back guard out and Edmondson ran onto to it and finished superbly passed the advancing Hull. Five minutes later and it was two as Billinge failed to clear a loose ball. Hull could only parry it out to Edmondson who headed it to Rod Thornley who tapped home from six yards. Credit to the lads though as the response was immediate as Jamie Harrison fired wide from 22 yards. With Bobby Jones getting the better of his left-back he fired just over after an excellent through-ball from Chris Godwin on 40 minutes. Moments prior to this Curran fired just wide after excellent individual skill in the area while on the stroke of half-time Jones and Curran combined superbly as the latter’s shot brought a tremendous save out of Higgs. The second-half saw more quality play from the Billinge lads as they took the game to their illustrious hosts. Green was adjudged offside while Dave Quigley tested Higgs from twenty yards. On the hour mark the action swung to the other end and it took a wonderful tackle in the area from Godwin to stop Thornley shooting on goal. Two minutes later there was a pivotal moment when Higgs produced a wonder save to deny Rob Ablewhite. On 67 minutes it was Jones that tested the home keeper while five minutes later the same player got on the end of Andy Goulding’s cross but his header safely in Higgs arms. Manager Paul Oakes brought Derek Evans on in place of the hardworking Quigley and dropped Harrison into the centre of the midfield and it was from an Evans cross that Ablewhite had a half-chance but just failed to get his head on the ball. On 85 minutes disaster struck as Charlie Bloomfield’s clearance went straight to Ebby Reyzan who volleyed home from 25 yards. It was a “worldie” that Hull had no chance with but was presented to him. If that was a gift then the fourth two minutes later came gift wrapped and covered in baubles as Goulding played a square pass straight to Mike Cartner who gleefully hit home despite frantic efforts from the Storks to get back. It was harsh on Billinge and the game was never a “4-0 game” but that’s how it ended. Manager Oakes was philosophical after the game saying: “We will not play a team like Knutsford every week but we must learn from this and not let it happen again. “We made mistakes, I made mistakes but we move on and look forward to the next game where we can out things right.” From a personal point of view – I’ve been watching North West Counties League football for the last six years and can confidently say that Knutsford would easily be in the top three of the Premier Division. They are a very, very good side. MOM BOBBY JONES
LOCAL HEROES – NEWS FROM OUR FOOTBALL NEIGHBOURS St Helens Town have announced that they have joined forces with muchrespected local hero Andy Reid. The partnership will see the club work alongside Andy on a number of projects over the coming few years. Andy, a triple amputee war veteran, has become an inspiration to young and old alike after fighting back from his horrific injuries to forge an outstanding career as a motivational speaker, author and charity fundraiser. The multi-award winning hero’s inspirational story of triumph over adversity was published in his new book Standing Tall in February 2013. His fundraising exploits for many charities doing things some thought he would never be able to do again including parachuting, abseiling and cross country bike rides have astounded people, gained national media coverage and rightly earned Andy the esteem of people all over the UK. Town Chairman John McKiernan explained: "Andy’s first role in partnership with the club was to deliver a motivational session to the clubs playing and coaching staff on the eve of the new season. It is hoped this will inspire us to a much improved season on the pitch to follow what has been a great summer of progression off it. "Following this Andy’s new business venture, the Cinema Bar located in St Helens town centre will be sponsoring our home FA Cup tie (today) with Ashton Athletic. "As the season progresses there are numerous other projects in the pipeline which Andy and the club will work in unison on including fundraising for our Hearts & Goals Campaign and the setting up of an amputee football team in partnership with Andy’s AIM project which will also see our coaching staff assist with the development of players. "Andy will also join us at our end of season sporting dinner as one of two guest speakers". For more information on Andy and his work, visit his website www.andyreid.org
Billinge Juniors Football Club Sportsman’s evening. To be held on Friday 20th September With guest speaker ex-Manchester United, Everton and Northern Ireland international footballer Norman Whiteside. Together with comedian Venn Tracey and MC for the night Mr Lenny Lowe.
All three fantastic after dinner speakers together with a superb meal; all for the price of £30.00 per ticket with tables of ten. Tickets are limited and only secured on payment. Available now on a first come basis. Book them now so not to be disappointed.
LAST SATURDAY Arsenal took on Manchester City – no the Premier League season hadn’t kicked off a week early, this was a friendly. In Finland. For that is what English football’s big boys spend their summers doing these days; jet off around the world to spread their gospel and expand their brand. It brings in the cash and is all very nice for fans in Bangkok, New York, Sydney and Tokyo. But should they be doing more for the little club on their doorstep? Now of course it’s not unusual to see a Non-League club taking on a Premier League side in pre-season. Stoke City recently sent a full first team to Wrexham and even when the star names aren’t in tow it can be a great opportunity to see future talents at their rawest. We might not have heard of them at the time but there is a certain satisfaction in saying, ‘I remember watching him in pre-season once,’ when they are banging them in on the biggest stages. But all too often these teams are academy based while the main squad is abroad. It’s rare we see a really big name – a Van Persie, Aguero, Rooney or Bale – trotting out at a Step 4 club on a Tuesday evening. Last week we had two stories in The NLP that got us thinking. The first was Histon answering a Friday night SOS from Spanish side Real Sociedad. La Liga’s fourth best team, who are in the mix for this season’s Champions League, needed a game the next day after their original fixture had been cancelled. Stutes boss Brian Page had planned on having a training day for his side but couldn’t turn down an elite opposition featuring the likes of ex-Arsenal forward Carlos Vela. Yes, Histon got an 8-1 pasting but as Page said: “Listening to the players talk about what they experienced in the game I just know it’s going to make us better.” Then a few days later Ryman Premier Enfield Town got a fantastic opportunity to take on Tottenham Hotspur at the Premier League giant’s training ground. Spurs boss Andre Villas-Boas wheeled out his full team including new signings, Nacer Chadli, Paulinho and Roberto Soldado, the Spanish international who has just arrived from Valencia for a cool £26m. He scored a hat-trick in an 110 win. Despite the scoreline, talking to Enfield boss Steve Newing you could sense how good the experience was for his players. Both these games were played behind closed doors, which is understandable. Histon didn’t have time to get everything in place that is needed to get a game on and Enfield were guests of Spurs. But wouldn’t it be great if the money making machines did pop around the corner in pre-season? Take the marquee names along and help small clubs bring some much needed cash into the coffers. And while we’re on the subject of money making machines, Sky TV charge £500 for clubs to beam out all the live action – a month! When we read about the eye-watering sums dished out to Premier League clubs for being rubbish all season and getting relegated, it does make you wonder if a clubhouse attached to a football ground could get a small discount. After all, it’s the saturated live schedule that is arguably contributing to low attendances at actual football games further down the Pyramid.
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THE CONCISE HISTORY OF BILLINGE FOOTBALL CLUB Billinge Football Club was founded in 1988 By Phil Middlehurst. They played then in the St Helens Combination at the Eddleston Playing Fields, Billinge. 1988-1989 to 1991-1992 Geoff Maggs was the first manager to take the reins of the newly-formed club. 1992-1993 to 1996-1997 Following Geoff Maggs' departure to pastures new, Les Pilling was installed as the club manager. 1997-1998 and 1998-1999 Billinge FC form a Reserve Team, Brian Collins is appointed First Team Manager and Les Pilling takes on the Manager's Job of the newly-created Reserve Team. 1999-2000 to 2004-2005 Manager Keith Amato, replaces Brian Collins as First Team Manager. Les Pilling continues his sterling work with the Reserve Team. Amato enjoyed success with Billinge FC bringing silverware to the club and being the first manager to take a Billinge team into the prestigious MidCheshire League. 2005-2006 Paul Farrell is appointed as First Team Manager to replace Keith Amato, long time club stalwart Les Pilling is appointed as Farrell’s Assistant Manager and Colin Betts is appointed as Reserve Team Manager. 2007-2008 Ex-Wigan Athletic legend Bryan Griffiths is appointed as First Team Manager, assisted by Andrew Clough. Dave Knowles is appointed as the Reserve Team Manager. Knowles is the first Billinge manager to take a team to a Mid-Cheshire Cup Final, losing narrowly to Poynton on a penalty shootout. Following the highs of the Cup Final, various on-going issues meant that Knowles was to leave the club at the end of the season. 2008-2009 Griffiths and Clough get Billinge promoted to the top division in the Cheshire League. The club move grounds from Eddleston Fields to purpose-built facilities at Barrow Farm. Steve Dickson is appointed as Reserve Team Manager. 2009-2010 Griffiths and Clough consolidate the First Team in the Cheshire League top division and Dickson looks to rebuild the Reserves with strong links into the Billinge Youth system. 2010-2011 Ex St Helens Town Manager Jimmy McBride comes out of retirement to take over the job of First Team Manager, Bryan Griffiths steps down to become assistant to McBride and Andrew Clough takes on the position of club Chairman. High points include Neil McDermot, Gary Jones, Scott Tickle and Andy Ledger being named in the Cheshire League Inter-League Squad. Steve Dickson continues as Reserve Team Manager. At the end of the season McBride resigns after being offered his old job back at St Helens Town, McBride comes back for Andrew Clough as his Assistant Manager at Town.
2011-2012 Steve Dickson is promoted from the Reserves to the First Team, he appoints a Management Team including Adam Lowry as Head Coach, Rob Dainty as Assistant Manager and Les Pilling as Match Day Secretary. Dickson is given the task of re-building the team to have a more youthful look. A new Reserve Team Management Team is appointed with Brian Mather, Chez Tideswell and Campbell Wilson coming in with a host of new players. The First Team had a really good run of results which lead to a mid-table finish considering the disastrous start this was a great achievement, they were the first Billinge Senior Team to get to the Cheshire League's prestigious League Cup Final and the average age has been reduced to 22 years. The Reserves have equalled Dave Knowles feat of getting the Reserves to the Reserve Cup Final, they also went on to a league and cup double, beating Farnworth 3-0 in the Northern Cup Final then to be crowned as Cheshire League Reserve Division Champions. Following the Reserve Team's success at Billinge the management accepted an approach from Daten F.C and left to form Daten's first team. Billinge moved quickly to appoint Paul Oakes as the Reserve team manager, Oakes had enjoyed success with St Helens Combination Premier outfit Greenfields FC. Dave Knowles returned to the club as Assistant Manager to Oakes, with Rob Dainty taking on an advisory/youth development role, this position is temporary as Dainty will return to First Team duties. 2012-2013 Steve Dickson steered the First Team to safety in the top division while the Reserve Team, under Paul Oakes, finished a very respectable 7th. The Reserve Team became the first club to retain the Northern Cup when they beat Quarry Bank 3-1 in the final. 2013-2014 Paul Oakes and Steve Dickson take up the reins of the First Team management whilst Paul Farrell and Keith Amato are appointed Reserve Team managers. New members are added to the committee with Steve Dickson installed as chairman while the club runs a Sunday Team playing in the South Lancs League at Barrows Farm as the club celebrates it’s silver anniversary.
FIRST
RESERVES
SUNDAY
JUNIORS
PRESS REPORT 11 AUGUST 2013 Barnton settled into division one football like a duck to water as they stormed to an 11-0 victory at Denton Town. After a scrappy opening ten minutes Barnton came to life with Billy Webb's shot going straight into the Denton keepers arms and minutes later Colin Quirk slotted home a flick on from a corner to open the scoring. Dave Berry then played through Billy Webb to make it 2-0, before Berry broke down the left, releasing the ball to Quirk who added a third. Berry was involved again soon after when his shot was fumbled by the keeper allowing Tony Wynne to slot home the rebound on the half hour mark. Barnton were in full flow and Quirk was unlucky not to secure his hat trick when he missed a sitter trying to chip the keeper, but made up for it three minutes later making it 5-0. Defender Andrew Morgan got in on the action in the 40th minute when he headed home a corner to put Barnton 6-0 up at half time. Joe Jennings came off the break for the restart and was soon celebrating his first goal as Billy Webb played the ball across from the right for him to slot into an empty net. Webb made it 8-0 in the 79th minute with his second of the game. Dexy Hanley added a ninth soon after before Jennings was played in by Matty Johnson to score his second into an empty net. Jennings completed his hat trick in the last minute of the game when Ste O'Brien picked him out with a perfect cross to make it 11-0. The result was the highest scoring game in the country on Saturday and even got a mention on Sky Sports News. Reigning champions Knutsford started this season as they finished the last with a comfortable 4-0 win at home against Billinge. Carlos Edmondson and Rod Thornley both scored in the opening half hour with Ebby Reyzan and Mike Cartner scoring in the 80th and 85th minutes respectively to get the home side off to a good start in their new title challenge. Middlewich Town opened the scoring in the 20th minute through Andrew Pennington as they travelled to Linotype CHN, only for the home side to equalise 15 minutes later. The sides remained level until the hour mark when Linotype took controlled with Vinnie Braine bagging a hat trick and Tom Bane adding a goal to see Linotype finish 5-1 winners. After a cagey start, Garswood United slowly took control of their game at Rudheath Social. In the 20th minute Alcock almost diverted a Garswood cross into his own net, Rudheath keeper Jones was forced into an excellent save, but Lloyd Deane was in position to head the ball home and give Garswood the lead. Two goals in the closing five minutes of the half effectively killed the game off and put Garswood in a strong position going into the break. A sweeping team move was finished off by Carl Addison before Scott Baker scored from the edge of the box with the aid of a deflection. Rudheath came quickly out of the blocks in the second half but were stopped in their tracks when a wonderful Baker cross saw birthday boy Danny Bell produce a towering header at the far post to make it 4-0. Centre forward Deane added the fifth with a quality finish, but Garswood then took their foot off the pedal, allowing Rudheath to pull one back through a quality back heel from Stu Tulloch. Garswood regained control straight from the restart when Nicky Prescott released a magnificent 50 yard pass which was pulled down with aplomb by Jonathan Parkinson. The ball was knocked forward to Deane who was brought down in the area but he picked himself up to stroke home the penalty to complete his hat trick on his debut for the club. Rylands suffered a heart breaking defeat after an injury time scrambled winner from substitute Ben Burrow gave Crewe FC all three points in the opening fixture of their Cheshire League season. It was rough justice for Rylands after they had recovered from a poor first half showing to dominate the second half and had seen a thunderous drive from Tebb hit the upright, moments before the late goal from the home side. The game started brightly with both teams playing some neat passing football, but it was the home side that created the first opportunity when Ethan Tizard headed wide when well-placed after three minutes. Tizard tried an ambitious overhead kick after ten minutes as Crewe pressed but it was a comfortable save for Moor in the Rylands goal. Crewe dominated proceedings and little had been seen of Rylands as an attacking force until they almost opened the scoring after twenty eight minutes. Waldron played Slater through but his angled drive flashed inches wide of the goal with the home keeper stranded. The deadlock was broken on the half hour when a mix up between Shakeshaft and Moor resulted in a corner kick which was never really cleared by Rylands and Matt Pearson converted from close range. It was no more than Crewe deserved after a disappointing start from the visitors.
The second period saw Rylands begin in much more dominant fashion and Daniels saw a goal bound effort blocked, before Parr drove a long range shot wide of the Crewe goal. At the other end Moor saved spectacularly from Tizard. Rylands levelled the scores in the 60th minute when Daniels placed a magnificent header beyond the Crewe keeper following a deep pass from Rylands' keeper Moor. The goal visibly lifted the visitors and Daniels again went close with a lobbed effort before Newton saved well from Slater. Crewe had the chance to restore their lead when they were awarded a penalty kick following Sinker?s challenge on substitute Hudson, but Moor saved the resultant spot kick from Matt Pearson. Rylands made three changes in an attempt to secure the three points and substitute Warder almost forced the winner late on with a close range effort which was scrambled off the line. In the final minute Rylands were awarded a free kick on the edge of the penalty area following a crude challenge on Daniels, and were desperately unlucky not to score when Tebb?s effort from the rebounded initial shot struck the inside of the post with the keeper beaten. Incredibly there was a final twist in store as Crewe forced a corner deep into stoppage time, which Moor failed to deal with and Burrow forced the ball home from close range to secure the three points for the home side. It was a cruel blow to Rylands who had recovered well in the second half and felt they had done more than enough to have taken at least a point from the game. Gamesley opened their scoring account in the fifth minute when Mike Dewhurst hit home against Pilkington. Aldred added a second in the 21st minute to give the home side a 2-0 lead at half time. Oakes found the net in the 68th minute as Gamesley continued to dominate before Dewhurst added his second, four minutes from time . Eagle Sports played host to Whaley Bridge and after an even opening twenty minutes, it was Eagle who found their feet first with Chris Quirk heading home a Lee Boardman cross to give Eagle the lead. Owen Ellis struck the bar with another strike for Eagle, but McDermott was also forced into action at the other end of the pitch, to keep the Whaley strike force at bay. Whaley started the second half brightly but it was Eagle who stole the thunder as Richard Chinn doubled their advantage, heading home Craig Bishop's cross/shot. Eagle continued to keep Whaley Bridge at bay for the remainder of the game, finishing 2-0 winners. Greenalls PSO started their campaign brightly as they finished 2-1 winners in a tight game at home to Styal. Lee Vaughan and Lee Hughes scored the goals for Greenalls.
KAT DAVEY CHESHIRE LEAGUE PRESS OFFICER LEADING GOALSCORERS DIVISION ONE Colin Quirk Barnton Vinnie Braine Linotype Cheadle HN Lloyd Deane Gasrwood United Joseph Jennings Barnton Billy Webb Barnton
4 3 3 3 3
THE BILLINGE FC SPORTSMAN’S DINNER HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR 23 MAY 2014 PRESENTATION EVENING TOP SPEAKER TOP COMIC TOP MC MORE DETAILS SOON
The reserves have started their season with two contrasting that were both settled by a one goal margin! On Thursday night the opening game of the season saw the reserves travel the short distance to Ruskin Drive to take on Pilkington Reserves. A solid defensive show from Ant Farrell, Jay Parkin, Geoff Parr & Ant Higgins kept Pilks attacks to a minimum. With Mark Bowland, Joe Unsworth and Aaron Bailey battling away in midfield the Storks gained the upper hand which they held for most of the game only to be undone by a Pilks counter attack to go one-goal down with 15 minutes to go. This increased the sorties down both flanks with Tom Ashall & Elliot Bradshaw swinging balls into the opposition goal area with Rob Abbelwhite, Tom Ashall and Joe Unworth all going close. Sadly Billinge just pulled up short being unluckily beaten one-nil. Stand-out players: Jay Parkin, Ant Farrell, Joe Unsworth and Tom Ashall MOM: Elliot Bradshaw On the Saturday the first home game of the season saw Billinge Reserves take on Egerton Reserves it what will be one of the most bizarre games of the season. It was an unusually shaky start from the Billinge backline of Ant Farrell, Jay Parkin, Geoff Parr and 17-year-old Elliot Twigg. Young Elliot is growing into the position as he steps up from the under-17s and he also got on the scoresheet for his first-ever goal in a Billinge shirt. Ant Farrell and Tom Ashall were on fire down the right hand side all afternoon which led to the sides going in at the break all-square at 3-3! In the second-half Billinge upped the tempo with Dan Campbell making his debut giving the midfield a much needed energy with Joe Ratcliffe pulling the strings. Subs Rob Bland partnering Adam Dickinson at the back tightened things up and the chances created in the second half should have taken Billinge well into double figures. As it was Joe Unsworth scored a hat trick with the referee claiming his second goal “a contender for goal of the season� as Billinge Ressies won 6-5 with both teams thoroughly entertaining the exhausted Billinge crowd! Goals scorers: Elliot Twigg, Tom Ashall, Aaron Bailey and Joe Unsworth (3) Stand-out players: Elliot Twigg, Elliot Bradshaw and Tom Ashall MOM: Joe Unsworth On Thursday the reserves played Garswood United but we had gone to press before kick-off while today they travel to Gamesley to play their reserves.
CHESHIRE LEAGUE TABLES FIRST DIVISION 12 AUG POS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
TEAM BARNTON GARSWOOD UNITED LINOTYPE CHEADLE HN GAMESLEY KNUTSFORD EAGLE SPORTS CREWE GREENALLS PSO RYLANDS STYAL WHALEY BRIDGE MIDDLEWICH TOWN BILLINGE FC PILKINGTON RUDHEATH SOCIAL DENTON TOWN FC
PLAYED 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
WON 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DRAWN 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
LOST 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
GD 11 5 4 4 4 2 1 1 -1 -1 -2 -4 -4 -4 -5 -11
POINTS 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
PLAYED 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 2 2
WON 2 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
DRAWN 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
LOST 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2
GD 11 11 9 7 6 1 2 1 0 -3 -3 -1 -2 -7 -8 -9 -15
POINTS 6 6 6 6 6 4 3 3 3 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
RESERVE DIVISION 12 AUG POS 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17
TEAM BARNTON RESERVES GREENALLS PSO RESERVES WHALEY BRIDGE RESERVES STYAL RESERVES GARSWOOD UNITED RESERVES RYLANDS RESERVES GAMESLEY RESERVES POYNTON RESERVES BILLINGE RESERVES PILKINGTON RESERVES EAGLE SPORTS RESERVES LINOTYPE CHEADLE HN RES GRAPPENHALL SPORTS RES DATEN RESERVES EGERTON RESERVES DENTON TOWN MIDDLEWICH TOWN RES
TODAY’S TEAMS – SATURDAY 17TH AUGUST 2013 CHESHIRE LEAGUE FIRST DIVISION BILLINGE SOCCER CENTRE BARROWS FARM KICK-OFF 3PM
BILLINGE FC
VERSUS
GAMESLEY FC SQUAD
Aaron Cameron Andrew Goulding James Webb Chris Godwin Gareth Fletcher (CAPTAIN) Dave Quigley Bobby Jones Danny Curran Rob Ablewhite Jamie Harrison Grahame Green
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 SUBS 12 14 15 16 17
Nathan Aldred Jamie Baker Peter Baker John Barber Thomas Briggs Thomas Burns Michael Dewhurst Andrew Heath Mitchel Salthouse Darren Scowcroft Josh Stevenson
Kieran Murphy Charlie Bloomfield Derek Evans Jamie Anderson Chris Duffy
Stephen Thomas
MANAGER: PAUL OAKES ASSISTANT: STEVE DICKSON
MANAGER: TONY EDDLESTON ASSISTANT:
SHIRTS: CLARET & SKY BLUE SHORTS: CLARET & SKY BLUE SOCKS: CLARET & SKY BLUE
SHIRTS: GREEN & WHITE SHORTS: WHITE SOCKS: WHITE
OFFICIALS: JOHN LOWE, SHANE CLARK, GRAHAM LAWLESS,
NEXT GAME AT BARROWS FARM SATURDAY 24 AUGUST 2013 BILLINGE RESERVES VERSUS BARNTON RESERVES ADMISSION FREE
TODAY’S VISITORS Gamesley Football Club
was formed in 1991 to provide football on Saturdays for the community. The club firstly joined the Manchester Amateur League. During the time in the League, the team won the Premier Division for three years on the trot. They also won the Derbyshire Cup, the Gosling Cup and the Petite Cup. From 1996 until 2000 Gamesley played in the Manchester League Division One. During their time in this league they were runners-up in the First Division once and won the Murray Trophy twice. For a short while after 2000, they were without a league, until joining the Hope Valley League in 2001; they spent two seasons in the Hope Valley League coming runners-up and then winning the Premier Division and were also finalists in the Dore Shield. Following some ground improvements and a search for higher league football, they joined the Mid-Cheshire League in 2003. In 2006 they secured promotion to the First Division, and in 2007/8 the league changed its name to the Cheshire League.
League Records
The record of their time in the Manchester League is as below: SEASON LEAGUE 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00
MANC-1 MANC-1 MANC-1 MANC-1
P 30 32 34 30
W 20 16 16 20
D 7 4 5 4
L 3 12 12 6
F 84 70 81 86
A 36 63 64 39
P 67 52 54 64
POS 3/16 5/17 7/16 2/15
The record of their time in the Mid-Cheshire / Cheshire League is as below: SEASON LEAGUE 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
M CHES-2 M CHES-2 M CHES-2 M CHES-1 CHES-1 CHES-1 CHES-1 CHES-1 CHES-1 CHES-1
P 24 30 30 30 32 30 28 30 30 30
W 12 15 19 9 11 6 14 14 14 12
D 5 7 5 6 3 9 5 6 4 7
L 7 8 6 15 18 15 9 10 12 11
GD 14 32 -3 -4 -24 -19 11 0 10 29
P 41 52 62 33 36 27 57 48 46 43
POS 5/13 5/16 1/16 12/16 12/17 14/16 5/15 5/16 5/16 7/16
Storks pay penalty for a poor first five The Storks were their own worst enemies on Tuesday when they failed to get out the blocks and found themselves two-down after five minutes. The lacklustre start saw Billinge debutant Aaron Cameron have to tip a looping header around the post inside 30 seconds. In the third minute the Greens were ahead. The left back was given far too much room on the edge of the area and delivered a ball across the six-yard box that fellow full-back Gaz Johns fired home. With Billinge still trying to reorganise Greenalls doubled their lead when yet another ball wasn’t cleared from the area and this time Lee Vaughan finished well. The response from the visitors was immediate when Bobby Jones went close and on 12 minutes Jay Webb put a free-kick two foot over the bar after Dan Curran had been fouled 22 yards out. On the quarter-hour mark Cameron again had to be alert tipping a Hoyland effort around the post. On 18 minutes a superb through-ball from Dave Quigley found Rob Ablewhite free on goal only for Paul Dobson to bring him down. As he was the last man the referee – who had a very, very poor game showing no control or entering into any dialogue for ninety minutes – had no option but to send the defender off. From the resultant free-kick it was Jamie Harrison who brought the best out of the Greenalls’ keeper Clare, palming his effort over the bar. A minute later with the Storks upping the tempo Jones appeared to be pushed over in the box but the referee waved “play on” while the assistant who was yards away from the incident failed to intervene. Greenalls looked dangerous on the break but after the initial uneasy period the back four, marshalled by Gareth Fletcher played well and coped with everything that was thrown at them. At the other end Jones just failed to get on the end of an Ablewhite cross before he got a head on a similar ball from Harrison but this time the ball went wide. With Billinge having most of the possession – on the half-hour mark - they created three chances within a minute as Quigley, Curran and Green all went close before Clare saved from the latter’s header. On 35 minutes a ball over the top found Ablewhite on the left, he took it around the keeper but was forced wide and the ball ran out of play. The remainder of the half saw the game “to and thro” with neither side creating any decent chances until a frantic injury time. A Harrison free-kick was again turned over the bar and from the resultant corner Fletcher got just a little too much on it before the half ended in controversy as Quigley was booked for not retreating – when it appeared he was running back to get in position to defend the free-kick. The second-half started with the Storks on top but a bobble meant Harrison hit a chance high and wide and then on 56 minutes went close with a 28-yard free-kick. However as Billinge were getting more desperate they began hitting the ball too long at times. Coupled with this Ablewhite was getting caught offside far too often. Whereas some of the decisions by the assistant on the home side’s dugout were clearly incorrect he was never going to change his way of flagging on every occasion and we should have adapted to this but when you’re behind and the opposition is down to ten these things tend to occur. As it was the game turned into a midfield battle for the next 15 minutes or so. Hoyland went close for PSO before Derek Evans halved the deficit for Billinge on 70 minutes. Substitute Jamie Anderson played a neat ball through to Jones who put the ball across for another replacement Evans to fire home. The final 20 minutes saw Billinge throw everything at the home side as Green, Quigley, Anderson and Jones all went close and on reflection maybe should have done better with the chances. However it wasn’t to be and Greenalls hung on for a 2-1 victory. Credit is due to the home side that played with ten men for over 70 minutes, defended well and looked a threat on the break. After the game there was disappointment amongst the Billinge ranks but they will bounce back. On another day the chances will go in and manager Paul Oakes is looking forward to Saturday’s game: “We gave ourselves a lot to do after a very sloppy opening five. “We battled back into the game but we should have shown more patience and we were caught offside far too often. “As it is we are back in action on Saturday when we play our first home game of the season and as far as we are concerned the season starts then.” MOM: Bobby Jones
Bragging rights go to Billinge The Premier League may begin this weekend which is all well and good but I doubt you'll get a game like this all season long. Ten goals - one from the Billinge goalkeeper - hammering down with rain, tackles flying in, fantastic goals and a great crowd for a reserve match at this level. Billinge v Garswood games are always going to be feisty affairs and this burst into life in the third minute when Elliot Bradshaw curved the ball into the top corner of the net from a free-kick 22 yards out. However on six minutes and With the Billinge lads still buoyant and no doubt still celebrating the goal a Garswood player was left in acres of space to head home. Within four minutes it looked like disaster had struck. On eight minutes a long ball left Billinge keeper Tom Hull in no-mans land as the Graswood striker chipped home to make it 2-1 to the visitors. Then on the ten-minute mark Hull could only parry an effort which the United left-back seized on and headed home. It was not the start that Squash and Fizzer had planned for but credit to all concerned - on the bench and pitch - as nobody panicked and The Storks were back in the game on 16 minutes. With the midfield of Mark Bowland, Joe Unsworth and Chris Duffy beginning to get a grip of the game you might have thought it would have been a neatly crafted goal that pulled Billinge back into it. As it was it came from the boot of goalkeeper Hull! Taking a regular free-kick from just outside the area, he hit it and long and found his opposite number. Unfortunately his opposite number went to leave the ball to go wide only to find it in the back of the net! 2-3 and it's game-on. Billinge were now in the game with the aforementioned midfield bossing the game the tide was turning. There was still danger at the other end though as Hull pulled off two magnificent saves to deny the visitors. However on 33 minutes it was even as Tom Ashall broke through. The keeper saved his initial effort but the ball bounced up and he headed home to make it 3-3. On the stroke of half-time Ashall was flagged offside when through on goal while Hull ended the half by making another excellent game. It was Billinge who started the second period the brighter and from that moment on - despite one lapse - controlled the game. They were 4-3 ahead on 48 minutes when Mike Price and Unsworth combined superbly before Unsworth turned and fired home the goal of the game. It was 5-3 a minute later when Duffy picked out Price who coolly headed home. That one lapse was to come two minutes later when Rob Bland was adjudged to have fouled a Garswood player inside the area. The player calmly dispensed the penalty to make it 5-4 but from then on it was all Billinge. Aggressive midfield play from Duffy and Unsworth meant that Billinge could play the ball around in the wet conditions and camp inside the Garswood half. However it wasn't until the 70th minute when Billinge made the game safe as Duffy was rewarded for his excellent performance by claiming a goal to give the Storks a two-goal advantage for the second time in the game. This time they kept that advantage until the end of the game with the ref blowing at 6-4 to the home side. An excellent result that means the reserves have two wins out of three as they go into Saturday's away game at Gamesley. MOM Joe Unsworth
COMING SOON
BILLINGE’S NEW SIGNING!
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