Ashton Athletic AFC

Ground 35

Match 36

North West Counties Premier

Ashton Athletic 4-0 St Helens Town

Ground Brocstedes Park

Ground Capacity 1,000

Founded 1978

Admission £5

Programme £1.50

Distance Travelled 22 miles

Nickname Ash

Kit Yellow

Attendance 59













Headed towards Ashton-in-Makerfield with my route planner by my side fully expecting to lose my way having read and heard Brocstedes Park can be difficult to find . As it happened i ended up in the ample club car park as per my route without a hitch . Maybe its a little trickier in the dark but only a swift half an hour for Grumpy and myself without the sat-nav . There is a small country lane and a pot holed farm track leading to the car park but its not too bad unless you're driving like an idiot .

The chap on the turnstile is a gem , can take a good photo too which was greatly appreciated . Covered stands including a long main stand and smaller reserved seating stand stretch the length of the touchline . Inbetween , set back a little , is the club house and changing room cabins . The opposite touchline and goals are surrounded with metal pole barriers and advertising boards . Its adequate for this level although the main stand is a little susceptible to prevailing wind and rain blowing from the open areas of the ground hence the appearance of a few blankets to cover up with .














 Purchased a programme and at £1.50 probably just about right considering the club probably doesn't need to publish too many , its got enough information and articles for collectors and space for advertisers which support the club . At this level the idea is to contribute as much as possible and at £5 entry , £1.50 for a programme and tea/coffee at 70p ( pies £1.30 ) its affordable . The tea girl did struggle , especially at half-time when there was a 'mad' rush but very friendly, polite and fans seemed understanding , willing to wait . There's also a comfortable lounge bar and tv inside .

Main Stand Reserved Seating Stand Turnstile Entrance













Theres a few St Helens fans in , not far to travel and they've been sharing with Ashton Town which adds a little more spice to the game . Both sides are in the lower half of the league , Athletic having some decent results lately are looking to climb to mid table security and hopefully push on for the latter half of the season .Maybe a few have used the bike to get here ?













The Athletic manager Steve Wilkes is a lively character and provides festive pantomine entertainment for the fans by falling on his arse kicking the ball back into play . Mind you the Town lads aren't laughing when they fail to get to grips with the early pressure , falling behind to a neatly judged lob by Bradley Cooke after 3 minutes , over the sranded keeper and defenders . Ash dominate the first half while Town perform like a stuffed turkey , sloppy and lethargic . After 17 minutes Steve Cunningham makes it 2-0 to Ash and its no more than they deserve . Town are struggling and have their keeper and the crossbar to thank for keeping the score down . Half-time Ashton Athletic 2-0 St Helens Town .




Steve Wilkes enjoys a joke but can be serious when needed

Is That Roy Carroll ?

Athletic are rampant & Wilkes is Simply Having A Wonderful Christmas Time

















Town start the second half with more urgency but can't find a breakthrough . Ash increase their lead after 67 minutes through Baguley . Athletic had a man dimissed for arguing with the referee after a seemingly innocuous challenge on Towns keeper which the player thought a fifty fifty challenge . Town did come close but Ash still looked at ease and added a fourth through a William Exton tap in after a neat pass eliminated the keeper .

Final score Ashton Athletic 4-0 st Helens Town .

Its an early bath for Ashton's number 7 !


Ashton Athletic Photos December 26, 2011">

AFC Fylde

Ground 34

Match 35

Evo-Stik Division 1 North

AFC Fylde 3-0 Durham City

Ground Kellamergh Park

Ground Capacity 1,500

Founded 1988 ( Kirkham & Wesham )

Nickname The Coasters

Kit All White

Admission £8

Programme £2

Attendance 253

Distance Travelled 14 miles

Main 282 Seater Stand with Press Section - Great View

















I suppose most visitors or neutrals will arrive via the M55 and probably end up in Kirkham but having made many a trip to the seaside i opted for the A584 via Preston Docks/Marina onto the Freckleton bypass . Found the ground easily using the Birley arms as an ideal landmark assuming a right turn into Church Lane which can appear a little late if you're motoring along at speed . Didn't even use my sat-nav which makes a change .

AFC Fylde was formed in 1988 with the amalgamation of Wesham FC and Kikham Town FC .
The club is based in the village of Warton near Lytham and is extremely ambitious .
Plans are in advanced stages for a new stadium close to the popular Ribby Hall Village . I was impressed with the current set up , ample parking , sponsors and Directors hospitality suites , ' Fullers Bar ' with sports tv , drinks promotions , hot and cold snacks hut with tasty pies and a quality match day programme .
I was made welcome straight away from a local in the club car park to the effervescent club secretary Martin Benson .
The club treats visitors like stars , doesn't matter whether your'e a regular , groundhopper or away fan , you feel welcome and wanted . The website compares well to any league club and attention to detail is apparent . There's a shuttle bus service for supporters to and from the ground from specified town centre areas and the club encourages junior supporters with special promotion days . Part of the Community Development Plan involves the manager/coaching staff visiting schools and taking part in PE lessons .



Durham soon get into gear almost taking an early lead when a fierce shot rattled the upright . The first quarter of an hour saw Fylde coming under severe pressure but managing to ride the early storm showing increased composure on the ball .
Their forwards have tremendous pace , in particular Ritchie Allen , a cheeky chappy with an ability to burst into space unnoticed , losing defenders . It was Glenn Steel who opened the scoring , nodding home after 28 minutes . In the club house at half time Durham fans mentioned a possible hand ball before the ball reached Steele . Fylde coasted into a two-nil lead before half time when 'Along came Allen ' who fired home . Dowson wasted two gilt-edge opportunities for 'the Citizens ,' a tame header from six yards and a one on one with keeper Zac Jones saving the low shot .
Half-time AFC Fylde 2-0 Durham City. Good to hear clear , concise announcements via the PA system .





















The second half saw both sides struggling to gain the upper hand , Fylde were cautious not to do anything silly whilst Durham couldn't find the illusive breakthrough . As the 'Citizens ' began pushing more men forward , the charsimatic Allen burst through the exposed defensive gap , rounded the keeper and netted from an acute angle before running past me and the Fylde fans , patting our hands , waving to the crowd ( Another Dave Swarbrick ? Maybe ? ) We need more bubbly characters like Ritchie Allen , involves the supporters and obviously loves the game . Final score -:
AFC Fylde 3-0 Durham City .
Thoroughly enjoyable day out .

Many thanks to Martin Benson ,   AFC Fylde and Durham City .

Dug Out Touchline side of the ground



Covered Goal Terrace League Status for 2022


Durham support giving the AFC Fylde keeper stick !



Below Two semi-final programmes involving Kirkham and Wesham .

AFC Fylde photos December 10, 2011">

Skelmersdale United

Ground 33

Match 34

Evo-Stik League Division 1 North

Skelmersdale United 2-2 Clitheroe

Ground - The west Lancashire College Stadium

Ground Capacity 2,500

Founded 1882

Admission £8

Programme £2

Distance travelled 21 miles

Attendance 167

Clitheroe Nickname 'The Blues' playing in away kit red

Skelmersdale is a town in West Lancashire and lies on high ground on the River Tawd .
Its well known for its mininig , shopping concourse and probably , roundabouts .
It was designated a new town in 1961 and is close to Liverpool and Wigan .
The first recorded use of the name skelmersdale appears in the Domesday Book 1086 .

Printed my directions using the club website location information and followed it directly to the ample club car park without a hitch , negotiating several roundabouts after exiting junction 4 on the M 58 .

An ex player chatted to me outside the turnstile entrance and helped with my photos . This was much appreciated and a great welcome to the club as the entrance sign states . Once inside the ground the locals were jovial , funny and relaxed .




The programme hut is between the turnstile , toilets and club house . There's a covered seated grandstand adorning the far touchline . Grass banked verges are behind one goal and run the length of the opposite touchline with neatly inserted advertising boards . The grass verges are sectioned off with hoarding probably due to health and safety reasons ; seems a shame as they are neatly trimmed and beautifully tended . The pitch is immaculate considering all the rain lately and is a credit to the groundsman whom i was pleased to meet before the game started .
Skem are doing well in the league but have stuttered a little lately albeit , mainly against the teams around them . Clitheroe are near the botttom so skem will be hoping for a victory to keep the pressure on the other table toppers .

Main Seated Covered Grandstand and stuning pitch .


















Citheroe , in all red , started briskly and soon sent their following contingent into rapturous applause when centre forward Hine netted with a cool finish from inside the box .
The 'Skem' supporters were still upbeat and somewhat amused with the Clitheroe fans . What a great atmosphere and rapport amongst the crowd . Terrific !
Full Match Report - see the excellent club website .

One club official asked me not to take photos with flash so i explained i'd only take normal shots ; no flash which he agreed was fine .
A couple of minutes later , as i was hovering around the snack hutch , the guy came back and asked me not to take anymore photos ; said he was fed up and sick of groundhoppers . A bit of a contradiction to say the least but i suppose thats his prerogative . I decided to leave early . Apart from this incident the fans were great and filled me in with information and history about the club .





Skelmersdale United photos November 30, 2011">
Burscough FC also use this venue as their temporary home ground . Season tickets have been frozen for Skelmersdale United season 2011-2012 and there's a special offer for Skem fans attending Burscough home games .