I've been away for a few days so an update on the games of the last weekend. Thursday saw two matches in the Goldline Trophy scheduled. However heavy rain saw Atherton Town's match with Euxton Villa called off, whilst Hindsford and Atherton Collieries did begin, but again rain intervened, with the match being abandoned in the first half. As yet no news on re-arrangements.
Friday was the final of the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong. Liverpool, with new signings Torres and Babel now with all the correct paperwork, failed to score against Portsmouth in a game of missed chances. Eventually, after a 0-0 draw, the match went to penalties. Unusually it was Liverpool who lost out in this, Torres and Benayoun missing their attempts, as Portsmouth won the shoot out 4-2 and thus taking the "coveted" trophy back to the south coast.
On Saturday Blackburn Rovers completed a fairly straightforward victory over a limited Vetra Vilnius side in the 3rd round of the Intertoto Cup. Goals from Pedersen, Roberts, McCarthy and Samba gave Rovers a 4-0 win on the day, making it 6-0 on aggregate. Blackburn now qualify for the 2nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup and await Friday's draw to see who their next opponents will be.
Saturday also saw two more Goldline Trophy games.Holders Prestwich Heys could again only draw at Eagley in their group 2 game. A match, in which both sides led, finished up 3-3. Heys now have two points from two games and will need a win at home to Atherton Town in order to secure qualification for the quarter finals. The days other match was also a draw, Atherton LR managing only a 0-0 draw at home to Bolton County in group 3. LR are still very much in the driving seat for qualification, realistically needing just a draw in their final match against Breightmet United, whilst County will find the point useful in their qualification attempt.
In today's games, both in Group 1, Charnock Richard can secure a quarter final place with at least a draw at Atherton Collieries, and even a defeat is unlikely to harm their chances too much. Collieries are playing their first match in this years competition and will be looking for a good start to their campaign. In the other match both Stoneclough and Hindsford will be looking to get back on track after defeats to Charnock Richard, with defeat almost certain to end any losers hopes of a quarter final place.
Monday 30 July 2007
Wednesday 25 July 2007
Tempest In Bury
Three competitive games yesterday, so I'll start with the most easterly. Thus to Hong Kong where Liverpool secured a place in the final of the Premier League Asia Trophy with a 3-1 victory over local side South China. The Reds were without Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, both still waiting for international clearance, and Steven Gerrard who was injured. However Riise gave Liverpool an early lead, with Alonso adding a penalty before the half hour mark. The Hong Kong side made a come back, scoring just before half time, but although Liverpool found the hot conditions tiring, they secured a place in Friday's final against Portsmouth, with Daniel Agger scoring a third goal before the end.
Moving 10 000 miles or so west to Bury, and Group 4 of the Goldline Trophy began with a seven goal thriller between hosts Elton Vale and Tempest United. The West Lancashire League side eventually run out as 4-3 winners. Finally in Group 3 there was an all North West Counties tie between Atherton LR and Daisy Hill. As would be expected from their relative league placings it was LR that secured all three points, ending up with a fairly straightforward 3-0 victory.
Tonight sees two more games. In Group 1 Charnock Richard are looking for a victory that would probably secure a place in the next round, as they host Stoneclough, who have yet to play in this years competition. In Group 4 it is the Ashton-in-Makerfield derby as Ashton Athletic host Ashton Town. Both sides play in the North West Counties Second Divison, so there shouldn't be too much between them. Last season Town won 2-1 at Athletic's Brocstedes Park, whilst the return match was a 2-2 draw. Overall in the league Town finished 8th, whilst Athletic were 16th, and so Ashton Town may start as slight favourites.
Moving 10 000 miles or so west to Bury, and Group 4 of the Goldline Trophy began with a seven goal thriller between hosts Elton Vale and Tempest United. The West Lancashire League side eventually run out as 4-3 winners. Finally in Group 3 there was an all North West Counties tie between Atherton LR and Daisy Hill. As would be expected from their relative league placings it was LR that secured all three points, ending up with a fairly straightforward 3-0 victory.
Tonight sees two more games. In Group 1 Charnock Richard are looking for a victory that would probably secure a place in the next round, as they host Stoneclough, who have yet to play in this years competition. In Group 4 it is the Ashton-in-Makerfield derby as Ashton Athletic host Ashton Town. Both sides play in the North West Counties Second Divison, so there shouldn't be too much between them. Last season Town won 2-1 at Athletic's Brocstedes Park, whilst the return match was a 2-2 draw. Overall in the league Town finished 8th, whilst Athletic were 16th, and so Ashton Town may start as slight favourites.
Tuesday 24 July 2007
Between The Showers
Well, the Goldline Trophy did get begun last night after the postponements of Saturday. In Group 1 Charnock Richard ran to an easy 5-1 victory over Hindsford. Charnock host Stoneclough on Wednesday and another victory should see them qualify for the quarter finals.
There were also two games in Group 3. Holders Prestwich Heys faced a harder than expected test at Euxton Villa. Indeed Euxton led 2-0 at half time, but the Manchester League champions did secure a point with a second half comeback; final score 2-2. In the other match Atherton Town went to the head of the group with a 2-0 victory over Eagley.
Tonight sees the opening matches in Groups 3 and 4. There is an all North West Counties clash in Group 3 as First Division Atherton LR host Second Division Daisy Hill (kick off 7:45pm). Last season Atherton finished in a lower mid-table position, whilst Daisy Hill were only three places off the foot of their division, and so I would expect that LR will secure victory tonight, especially with home advantage.
The opening match in Group 4 kicks off an hour or so earlier than the one at Crilly Park and sees Elton Vale host Tempest United. Bury-based Elton Vale finished fourth in the First Division of the Manchester League last season, although they were nine points adrift of the promotion places. Visitors Tempest, from Lostock way, are another team playing their league's second tier, in this case the West Lancashire League. Last season United finished in mid-table, and so I'll predict victory for Elton Vale, but I wouldn't put money on it.
Leaving the Goldline Trophy behind, there is another competition beginning today, although it is probably less prestigious to win. This is the Premier League Asia Trophy, involving Fulham, Liverpool and Portsmouth in the obvious location of Hong Kong. Portsmouth have already qualified for the final with a 1-0 victory over Fulham, whilst Liverpool kick-off in a few minutes time against local side South China. Liverpool should win fairly easily and a result similar to Manchester United's 6-0 friendly victory over Chinese side Shenzhen yesterday would not be surprising. Whether travelling half way round the globe is the best way of preparing for the new season is certainly debatable, but playing concerns are of course very much secondary to the commerical aspects of these tours.
There were also two games in Group 3. Holders Prestwich Heys faced a harder than expected test at Euxton Villa. Indeed Euxton led 2-0 at half time, but the Manchester League champions did secure a point with a second half comeback; final score 2-2. In the other match Atherton Town went to the head of the group with a 2-0 victory over Eagley.
Tonight sees the opening matches in Groups 3 and 4. There is an all North West Counties clash in Group 3 as First Division Atherton LR host Second Division Daisy Hill (kick off 7:45pm). Last season Atherton finished in a lower mid-table position, whilst Daisy Hill were only three places off the foot of their division, and so I would expect that LR will secure victory tonight, especially with home advantage.
The opening match in Group 4 kicks off an hour or so earlier than the one at Crilly Park and sees Elton Vale host Tempest United. Bury-based Elton Vale finished fourth in the First Division of the Manchester League last season, although they were nine points adrift of the promotion places. Visitors Tempest, from Lostock way, are another team playing their league's second tier, in this case the West Lancashire League. Last season United finished in mid-table, and so I'll predict victory for Elton Vale, but I wouldn't put money on it.
Leaving the Goldline Trophy behind, there is another competition beginning today, although it is probably less prestigious to win. This is the Premier League Asia Trophy, involving Fulham, Liverpool and Portsmouth in the obvious location of Hong Kong. Portsmouth have already qualified for the final with a 1-0 victory over Fulham, whilst Liverpool kick-off in a few minutes time against local side South China. Liverpool should win fairly easily and a result similar to Manchester United's 6-0 friendly victory over Chinese side Shenzhen yesterday would not be surprising. Whether travelling half way round the globe is the best way of preparing for the new season is certainly debatable, but playing concerns are of course very much secondary to the commerical aspects of these tours.
Monday 23 July 2007
STOP PRESS - Goldline Trophy Re-arranged Fixtures
The two matches postponed on Saturday have been re-arranged. Charnock Richard will play Hindsford tonight (6:30pm), whilst Stoneclough v Atherton Collieries is now scheduled for August 8th.
Rain, Rain Go Away
Although Lancashire has been less affected by the weekend's rain than other parts of the country, neither of Saturday's Goldline Trophy games survived the weather. Presumably these games will be rescheduled for either later in pre-season or the early days of the season. Two more matches are scheduled for today, although whether they will take place as planned is upto the weather. Currently the forecast looks okay, although there may be showers in the Preston area about 4pm.
Blackburn Rovers managed to escape the bad weather by travelling east to Lithuania for their Intertoto Cup 3rd round tie. Blackburn did not play to their best, but did not need to against Vetra Vilnius. A first half goal from Benni McCarthy put Rovers ahead, and a late second from Matt Derbyshire secured a 2-0 victory. Next Saturday sees the second leg at Ewood Park and Blackburn will be expecting to finish the job and secure their place in the 2nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Back to todays football (fingers crossed). Group 2 of the Goldline Trophy begins today with Exuton Villa hosting Prestwich Heys and Eagley going to Atherton Town. Euxton, of the West Lancashire League have finished in mid-table over the last couple of the seasons, and will have a tough task against holders Prestwich Heys, who have also won the Manchester League for the last three seasons. However Prestwich are having to recover from the tragic death of their manager Adie Moran, who died in Sri Lanka over the summer. No doubt the Prestwich players will be trying to win in memory of Moran.
The other match is another clash between Manchester and West Lancashire league sides. Eagley and Atherton Town both had mid-table finishes in their respective leagues last season, and both will be looking for a good start to their campaign, given that Prestwich would be expected to take one of the quarter final places, and so matches between the other three are likely to go a long way towards deciding the other quarter finalist.
Blackburn Rovers managed to escape the bad weather by travelling east to Lithuania for their Intertoto Cup 3rd round tie. Blackburn did not play to their best, but did not need to against Vetra Vilnius. A first half goal from Benni McCarthy put Rovers ahead, and a late second from Matt Derbyshire secured a 2-0 victory. Next Saturday sees the second leg at Ewood Park and Blackburn will be expecting to finish the job and secure their place in the 2nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Back to todays football (fingers crossed). Group 2 of the Goldline Trophy begins today with Exuton Villa hosting Prestwich Heys and Eagley going to Atherton Town. Euxton, of the West Lancashire League have finished in mid-table over the last couple of the seasons, and will have a tough task against holders Prestwich Heys, who have also won the Manchester League for the last three seasons. However Prestwich are having to recover from the tragic death of their manager Adie Moran, who died in Sri Lanka over the summer. No doubt the Prestwich players will be trying to win in memory of Moran.
The other match is another clash between Manchester and West Lancashire league sides. Eagley and Atherton Town both had mid-table finishes in their respective leagues last season, and both will be looking for a good start to their campaign, given that Prestwich would be expected to take one of the quarter final places, and so matches between the other three are likely to go a long way towards deciding the other quarter finalist.
Friday 20 July 2007
The First Glimmers Of Dawn
Though clubs have been playing friendly games for a couple of weeks now, things begin to get to serious this weekend with the first competitive games of the new season. Blackburn Rovers will be the first League side to be in action, when they kick off their Intertoto Cup campaign against Lithuanian side Vetra Vilnius on Sunday, but first of all will be the opening games of this seasons Goldline Trophy.
The Goldline Trophy is a competition for clubs in the Bolton area and draws teams from the North West Counties League, the Manchester League and West Lancashire League. The competition begins with a group stage in July and early August, followed by quarter and semi finals once the season has got going. The final is held at the Reebok Stadium each year, normally sometime in March. The current holders are Manchester League champions Prestwich Heys.
Tomorrow sees Group One have its opening games (both 3pm kickoffs). West Lancashire League side Charnock Richard start at home to Manchester Leaguers Hindsford. Charnock reached the final last season and won the competition in both 2000-01 and 2005-06. The Mossie Close side were fifth in their league last season and also claimed the Lancashire Amateur Shield. I would expect them to prevail against Hindsford who were only a couple of points above the relegation zone last season. However it is difficult to compare different leagues and I have no idea what changes in personnel have occurred at the two clubs over the summer.
The other Group One game is between Stoneclough, who play in the second tier of the West Lancashire League, and North West Counties First Division side Atherton Collieries. Stoneclough were fourth in their league last season, although eleven points adrift of promotion, but even with home advantage, I would expect that they will be too weak for a Collieries side who are coming off their best season in years, having finished seventh, and whilst well off the title battle, it was a big improvement on the relegation battles they have fought for much of the last decade.
On Sunday Blackburn will play Vetra Vilnius in the Lithuanian capital in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup 3rd round tie. The winners qualify for the 2nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Rovers received a bye to this stage and probably expected to meet Legia Warsaw. However Vetra, who beat Llanelli on away goals in the 1st round, were awarded a win over Legia after Polish fans started rioting in the 1st leg of the 2nd round tie.
So, who are Vetra Vilnius? The club was founded in 1996 and play in the originally named Vetra Stadium. The club has never won a major trophy, although they did lose the 2005 Lithuanian Cup final to FBK Kaunas. However they do have experience in the Intertoto Cup, with this being their fourth consecutive qualification. 2004 saw the club beat both Trans Narva of Estonia and Edinburgh side Hibernian, before falling to Esbjerg of Denmark. The following two seasons were less successful, with first round defeats each time, to CFR Cluj of Romania in 2005 and to Dublin-based Shelbourne last year. The Lithuanian league runs through the summer and Vetra currently sit 6th out of the ten clubs.
Blackburn have had a fairly quite summer, having signed two players (Nielsen and Rigters) and sold just one (Todd). They have had two friendlies so far, beating Wrexham 2-1 but losing to Arminia Bielefeld by the same score. Rovers have pretty much a full squad to choose from, with only Brett Emerton absent due to Australia's continuing involvement in the Asia Cup. Vetra should be a fairly straightforward game for Blackburn, but should bear in mind that Newcastle were given a couple of surprises in their games against Baltic opposition last season. Nevertheless I would expect Blackburn to win by a couple of goals, giving themselves a good platform for the second leg.
The Goldline Trophy is a competition for clubs in the Bolton area and draws teams from the North West Counties League, the Manchester League and West Lancashire League. The competition begins with a group stage in July and early August, followed by quarter and semi finals once the season has got going. The final is held at the Reebok Stadium each year, normally sometime in March. The current holders are Manchester League champions Prestwich Heys.
Tomorrow sees Group One have its opening games (both 3pm kickoffs). West Lancashire League side Charnock Richard start at home to Manchester Leaguers Hindsford. Charnock reached the final last season and won the competition in both 2000-01 and 2005-06. The Mossie Close side were fifth in their league last season and also claimed the Lancashire Amateur Shield. I would expect them to prevail against Hindsford who were only a couple of points above the relegation zone last season. However it is difficult to compare different leagues and I have no idea what changes in personnel have occurred at the two clubs over the summer.
The other Group One game is between Stoneclough, who play in the second tier of the West Lancashire League, and North West Counties First Division side Atherton Collieries. Stoneclough were fourth in their league last season, although eleven points adrift of promotion, but even with home advantage, I would expect that they will be too weak for a Collieries side who are coming off their best season in years, having finished seventh, and whilst well off the title battle, it was a big improvement on the relegation battles they have fought for much of the last decade.
On Sunday Blackburn will play Vetra Vilnius in the Lithuanian capital in the first leg of their Intertoto Cup 3rd round tie. The winners qualify for the 2nd qualifying round of the UEFA Cup.
Rovers received a bye to this stage and probably expected to meet Legia Warsaw. However Vetra, who beat Llanelli on away goals in the 1st round, were awarded a win over Legia after Polish fans started rioting in the 1st leg of the 2nd round tie.
So, who are Vetra Vilnius? The club was founded in 1996 and play in the originally named Vetra Stadium. The club has never won a major trophy, although they did lose the 2005 Lithuanian Cup final to FBK Kaunas. However they do have experience in the Intertoto Cup, with this being their fourth consecutive qualification. 2004 saw the club beat both Trans Narva of Estonia and Edinburgh side Hibernian, before falling to Esbjerg of Denmark. The following two seasons were less successful, with first round defeats each time, to CFR Cluj of Romania in 2005 and to Dublin-based Shelbourne last year. The Lithuanian league runs through the summer and Vetra currently sit 6th out of the ten clubs.
Blackburn have had a fairly quite summer, having signed two players (Nielsen and Rigters) and sold just one (Todd). They have had two friendlies so far, beating Wrexham 2-1 but losing to Arminia Bielefeld by the same score. Rovers have pretty much a full squad to choose from, with only Brett Emerton absent due to Australia's continuing involvement in the Asia Cup. Vetra should be a fairly straightforward game for Blackburn, but should bear in mind that Newcastle were given a couple of surprises in their games against Baltic opposition last season. Nevertheless I would expect Blackburn to win by a couple of goals, giving themselves a good platform for the second leg.
Monday 16 July 2007
Welcome to Lancashire Football
Hi, welcome to this blog. As the name suggests it is going to be about football in Lancashire, the county that has produced more League champions, FA Cup winners and European champions than any other in England.
Lancashire is home to seven of the current Premiership, including two of the 'big four', and I am of course going to provide coverage of their goings on. However I am also planning to provide news and commentary from Lancashire's other clubs, from the Championship down to the North West Counties League, and possibly even below.
One feature I do hope to include is 'the War of the Roses', in which I will keep score of whether Lancashire or Yorkshire clubs come out on top as they meet throughout the season. I am planning to have divisional competitions, but also an overall competition, in which Manchester United v Middlesbrough will count as much as Silsden v Squires Gate.
Finally the Lancashire that I am covering is that covered by the County Palatine, established in the early years of the last millennium. The main reason for this is that this has fixed borders, unlike the more recent 'counties' which seem to change every year. Therefore Manchester, Liverpool, Barrow and Blackpool will all be found in this blog.
Enjoy!
Lancashire is home to seven of the current Premiership, including two of the 'big four', and I am of course going to provide coverage of their goings on. However I am also planning to provide news and commentary from Lancashire's other clubs, from the Championship down to the North West Counties League, and possibly even below.
One feature I do hope to include is 'the War of the Roses', in which I will keep score of whether Lancashire or Yorkshire clubs come out on top as they meet throughout the season. I am planning to have divisional competitions, but also an overall competition, in which Manchester United v Middlesbrough will count as much as Silsden v Squires Gate.
Finally the Lancashire that I am covering is that covered by the County Palatine, established in the early years of the last millennium. The main reason for this is that this has fixed borders, unlike the more recent 'counties' which seem to change every year. Therefore Manchester, Liverpool, Barrow and Blackpool will all be found in this blog.
Enjoy!
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