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 .

Padiham

Ground 32

Match 33

F.A. Carlsberg Vase Second Round

Padiham 2-5 Askern Villa

Ground The Arbories

Formed 1878

Ground Capacity 1688

Nickname The Storks

Distance travelled 20 miles

Admission £5

Programme £1

Kick Off Time 3pm Sunny/dry

Attendance 116

View showing Clubhouse Terrace and Grandstand during the 2nd half






Padiham lies on the River Calder , 3 miles West of Burnley and South of Pendle .
Not to difficult to find , its only a mile or so from the M65 motorway . Narrow streets lead to the ground past the Hare and Hound public house , i parked opposite the West Street sign on a cobbled road . There's a reasonably sized car park next to the ground but i decided to walk the short distance to avoid any chance of being blocked in later on . The turnstile is located at the top of the inclined street next to the car park .












First impressions are good , people are friendly and as i entered the ground i saw a contrast of old and new . It has plenty of character and charm with a new clubhouse , an older standing part covered terrace behind one goal , main grandstand , grassed banking running the length of the touchline opposite the clubhouse , bus shelter style dugouts , open air gents toilet in the far corner . You can see progress has been made ; it's a groundhoppers dream . I was warmly welcomed by the locals and staff . Programmes are excellent value at £1 with plenty of information , large bold print , reports , photos , facts/figures on the opposition , several glossy pages . At any level it's very affordable and a credit to the club .

Today's opponents are Askern Villa ( formerly Askern welfare ) from the Northern Counties East League Division One , currently second bottom . They've already knocked out three clubs including Silsden so they're no mugs .



Indeed , Villa start brightly like the mid-afternoon sun , creating several opportunities without finding the net . Padiham are slow out of the 'blocks' and don't seem to reach second gear . Villa's tall , long legged , long neck number ten provides a lynch pin and magnet for their sorties forward . He's a bit of a Terry Sheringham type , ambles around the left flank nonchalantly but to a trained eye , he's going to be a thorn in the side of the ' Stork's ' if they don't start shaking him off the ball . Most attempts to tackle him fail , when he's eventually knocked off the ball , free kicks are awarded for infringements .



Villa take a deserved lead but fail to add to their tally before conceeding a penalty which is netted by Padiham . The Storks are in the ascendancy and punish Villa again with a low drive into the net . Half-time arrives at the right time for Villa , after a bright start , they've drifted away with the midday sun .
Half Time - Padiham 2-1 Askern Villa .











Askern show their intentions after the restart and pin the Storks into their own half , eventually the pressure reaps reward with a well deserved equaliser .
Padiham find it difficult to make progress and Villa take the lead with their third goal . The next goal is so important and its Villa who find the net yet again to make it 4-2 . Padiham manage to put a few moves together and are unlucky with a shot from the edge of the box that rattles the crossbar . Another chance goes begging for the Storks soon after , in added time Villa complete the second half rout .
Scintillating stuff from Villa but credit to both sides for providing excellent value for money .




Padiham More Photos Nov 19 2011">