On the road to Wembley, wll maybe

In the late 19th century Darwen had a football league side, they did not achieve much as a league side apart from the fact that for the best part of 100 years they held a league record of 18 successive defeats, this record was cruelly snatched from them when Sunderland had the temerity to lose 20 on the bounce in 2005/6 a run which ended when they arrived at Deepdale and won 2-0.
Due to a drastically bad run of results Darwen are now in the North West Counties League div 2 a full nine divisions below where they were.
Today was my first ever visit to the Anchor ground to see one a FA Vase match against Maine Road who as the name suggests are from Manchester.
Road are one division above Darwen and on paper favourites for the match. Although Road are 8th in the top division they are a full 22 points behind leaders Runcorn Linnets who have 50 points.
Given it was November the pitch was in good nick although the grass did seem a shade long, there is a well appointed club house which seemed homely and warm and is the lifeblood of clubs like this. 
As for the game Darwen dominated from beginning to end although they looked decidedly alehouse in the opening half when playing with a deceptively stiff breeze at their backs. They had plenty of chances to take the lead but spurned them all and it was noticeable that as the half wore on Maine Road were slowly getting into the game. Darwen had a glorious chance to take the lead before half time however the home player went for power and blasted over from 6 yards. 
One unusual aspect of the first half was the sight of a Darwen player bringing cups of tea out for the management and the substitutes certainly would not happen at the Etihad or Anfield.
Road started better in the second half but did not trouble the home keeper. Soon it was one way traffic towards the Road goal, the home side wasted yet another chance when the winger took far too long to make up his mind about trying a shot, didn't matter though 21minutes from the end the home side took a deserved lead, Coote weaved his way past a couple of defenders before easily beating the keeper. Within 8 minutes it was two when Turner gently lobbed the ball into the net from the edge of the box. Darwen could have had others but did not matter as they strode ever closer to a Wembley appearence. They won't get there but they can dream.

AFC Darwen 2 Maine Road 0 Att 123

Tale of two halves

After 5 minutes it was looking like a bleak day for the home support as Fleetwood took a two goal lead against Preston in the first ever competitive meeting between the two sides, Jordan had headed the first from a corner in the first minute and a Laird own goal had made it two minutes later.
For those North Enders living in the Blackpool area i.e. me life was looking distinctly grim. To be fair to the visitors they deserved it as North End started off as they were still on the coach returning from Tuesdays game at Gillingham. They were faster to the ball and looked as if they wanted it more than us.
To say North End were pedestrian was an understatement, giving Fleetwood plenty of time to funnel back to defend en masse, as high hopeful balls were wellied into the Cod box. Apart from a couple of Gallagher efforts this was pretty ordinary fare from the Whites. After their initial burst Fleetwood did not really threaten the home goal and consensus at half time was the home side were up the creek without a paddle.
Credit to Grayson hooked Reid and Browne, on went Davies and Welsh went to 442 and it was amplifiers up to 11 as North End battered the black and red wall. Huntington had already had a header cleared of the line, when on the hour Garner headed home a right wing cross, three minutes later scores level as a free kick form the right was again nodded home by Garner. Game most definitely on, by now Fleetwood had gone to a 10-0-0 system, did not help them much, 11 minutes from time Davies header Garner volley North End in front, great finish by Garner.
Fleetwood had to change system and had to come out to play but apart from a couple of long distance Crainey efforts didn't remotely look like leveling.
As with last Saturday it was not the fact we had scored more goals than the visitors it was apparently the referees according to the Cod's manager Alexander. My take on that was if he had gone for the kill at two up they might have got something, he didn't and they didn't.


Preston North End 3 Fleetwood Town 2 Att 13280

Vale wind up merchants

Well this was rollicking good fun, there wasn't much football played but after a slow start this was highly entertaining for all the wrong reasons. Vale making their third visit to Deepdale this calendar years, started the brighter in a very tactical first 30 minutes. Only talking point in that period was who felled Garner, neither referee, linesmen nor most of the crowd saw it. Zuber appeared to be culprit but no one saw it. As the game started opened up chances started to come, O'Connor with a free kick and a Marshall shot which brought a good save from Jones. Whist Garner excellent over head volley brought a good save from Vale keeper Neal.
North End took the lead about five minutes to half time, Humphrys and Garner nearly cocked up the chance but they were bailed out by Gallagher who found the net.
Vale changed tactics in the second half, their master plan was to get Garner sent off. Clatter as many times as possible into aforementioned player until he loses the plot, and to be fair it nearly worked.
After being flattened once again Garner was bizarrely booked by Mr Fletcher, being beaten to a pulp is obviously against FL rules. Touch paper lit Garner lost the plot in a big way and following a shouting match at the linesman after being assaulted yet again was warned by the referee.
With 20 minutes to go Garner flattened by Zuber who then stupidly put his arm straight into Garner's face, on went the game until the eagle eyed 4th official informed the referee that Zuber had connected with his hand. Mr Fletcher raced at break neck speed brandishing the red card at the Frenchman.
It took him a while to leave the pitch, he discussed the perilous state of the French economy with the North Ends subs before giving a thumbs up to the North End fans who were waving him goodbye.
North End soon took advantage when Browne's deflected shot beat Neal. Garner departed to a standing ovation. All that was left were Gallagher and Buchanan having chances to extend the lead, they didn't take them.

Apparently Vale's manager Rob Page called Garner a disgrace, a bit rich from the club that employed a convicted killer.


Preston North End 2 Port Vale 0

Out played

The last time a Spennymoor team played at Lancaster, they were down in 15 seconds and eventually lost 6-0, soon after the club disbanded due to dubious counting in trhe board room and out of the ashes came Spennymoor Town. Having been promoted from the Northern League last season, they are blessed with a bit of financial clout as it showed on the pitch last night.
A tortuous journey to the game through Lancaster's fantastic one way system which is at present being dug up, meant delayts all round, the Spenny supporters coach only just arriving for the kick off.
What they saw was a highly competitive first period with both sides playing slick passing football. Spenny were the first to go close a free kick being tipped on to the bar by City custodian Hale.
Wearing and Taylor went close for City, Taylor should have done better before the deadlock was broken just before half time when a great team move from Spenny saw passes inter changed before Henderson ran on to a well placed pass and placed the ball past Hall.
City almost drew level in the next attack when from a corner Akrigg's cute back header found the Spenny defence wanting but without a City player in the vicinity of the back post. On the stroke of half time Kilifin almost conjured a goal from an acute angle but the ball hit the post and ran to safety.
Within 10 minutes of the restart it was game over, Spenny got a penalty when Marshall on the floor slid into the ball and the female referee gave a penalty, Tait only just scored. Two minutes later Stephenson met a cross at the back post and it was 3-0.
City were being run ragged and only some superb saves from Hale kept the score at three, but only for 10 minutes when another incisive move saw Cogden make it four from close range. Substitues a plenty as the game slowed down, there was just enough time for Woods to slide home a consolation a couple of minutes from the end.

Lancaster City 1 Spennymoor Town 4 Att 203

A stroll

A record crowd for a competitive game at Bamber Bridge's Sir Tom Finney Stadium of 2300 had hope to see a competitive local derby, they didn't get it. Two seasons ago Bamber Bridge and Chorley were in the same division, today the difference between the sides was considerable. Chorley are in the top position of the Conference North and that quality showed through today as they strolled to a 4-1 victory over the home side
A dull first half saw Chorley lead 1-0 through a goal by Dean after home keeper Dovey had collided with a Chorley forward going for the ball, Bridge claimed a foul, none was given and Dean scored. Before they scored Chorley had missed three very decent chances. Got the feeling that once the first had gone in it would be hard work for the home side and it was.
A very scrappy start to the second half little fluent football and just as dull as what that had gone before. Chorley added a second with Smith heading home form a corner. Within five minutes Bridge had somehow conjured a goal, Chorley keeper Ashton's fumble hit Waddecar and the ball dribbled into the Chorley net.
Amazingly Bell was a whisker away of levelling the score but just failed to get his head to the ball, but it was soon back to normal as Hine made it 3-1 with a back post tap and then Stephenson found himself with the freedom of Lancashire to amble past substitute keeper Barnes to make it 4-1.
Chorley stroll onto the fourth qualifing round only one round away from a possible draw against a league club.

Bamber Bridge 1 Chorley 4 Att 2368

The joys of the JPT

The scoreline was deceptive, North End won this with comfort last night. Although a late Pope header gave the scoreline respectability North End were in control from beginning to end. A quiet start with little to enthuse Reid put over a cross which caused confusion and Humphrys cashed in by firing left footed past Neal. North End cruised through the first half without really looking like adding a second. Vale's had a half chance cleared before Zuber's shot nearly demolished the corner flag.
The home side were rocked when Pope headed powerfully home in the first couple of minutes after a needless free kick was given away.
Vale were not level for long as Garner majestically chip the ball over Neal from 20 yards. It was soon 3-1 as Humphrys' mazy run ended up with a cross which was forced home by Gallagher. North End eased off and were nearly made to pay for this when Pope made it 3-2. Dickenson had a chance to level the score but his tame shot went wide in injury time.
A step closer to Wembley, the draw for the next round is on Saturday hopefully we will be drawn away, then I can have a Tuesday night in.

Preston North End 3 Port Vale 2 Att 3800

Three wins on the bounce

Match stats showed there were 34 efforts at goal in Preston's 4-2 win over Colchester, although the scoreline shows a comfortable Preston win, this was anything but a walkover.
After Gallagher wasted a glorious chance in the first minute to give the home side the lead, it was Colchester who dominated and took the lead through Healey after 16 minutes, he was slightly fortunate to get the ball following several deflections but scored from close range.
Within nine minutes North End were ahead, firstly Wiseman picked up the ball 30 yards out brushing off non existant tackles, he toe poked the ball past Walker from 12 yards. Colchester's defence didn't exactly cover itself with glory for the second one either, a hopeful punt downfield caused confusion in the ranks, Humphrys miscontrolled the ball but was lucky that Browne was also in the box to put the ball in.
Colchester took the intative following the double set back finding plenty of joy down their right wing were Clohessy was causing plenty of problems, it was no surprise when they scored again through Gilbey although have to say it was a great shot from 25 yards which would have beaten any keeper.
North End retook the lead within two minutes of the second half starting, Gallagher's speculative effort beating the rather cumbersome Walker, not a great bit of keeping.
Colchester rallied and Moncur walked through the home defence, should have scored but his shot was poor. Walker almost blundered again shortly after leaving a Garner shot which hit the post, later Garner also headed against the bar.
A great poass from Gallagher set Humphrys free on goal, he jsu about got the ball past Walker before walking the ball into the net.
Reid almost set up Humphrys but he was denied by a great last ditch tackle, whilst substitute Robinson curled one against the Colchester bar. Sears who looks wasted at this level forced Jones into two good saves as Colchester pressed also Wright cleared off his goalline to stop United reducing the arrears. There were no more goals but fair play to Colchester for playing an attacking game, didn't quite work for them this time.

Preston North End 4 Colchester United 2 Att 8478