Middlewich Town 1-0 Gamesley – A missing eleven

This game was chosen on Thursday evening after Chapel Town lost to Old Alts to all but relegate themselves. Old Alts were a very good team and Chapel had gone down fighting. With nothing to play for unless they smashed Hollinwood and hoped Atherton were smashed to hell by Springhead I had to go somewhere where their was something to play for.

I had also been sent on a mission to compile a best XI team of the season of the players I’ve seen locally, this had to include Gamesley players and with them at Middlewich I had to be there. I had wanted to visit Middlewich for quite a while due to the quality facilities.

I was up early Saturday morning despite a few beers the night before and felt quite good, it had been an awful Friday so I was relieved to be getting a new ground in. I had to set off as early as 11:15 for the 3pm kick off because of rubbish connections with trains. It was warm and I took a coat and hoodie as rain was predicted, I took for the first time in a while a flask and plenty of stuff to do as I knew I’d have many waits.

The 11:39 arrived on time and I got a seat next to the window of the front carriage of the Class 156. The conductor appeared but never even bothered charging meaning my connection to Crewe was screwed. The train filled up and once off at Stockport had to queue to buy a ticket from an ‘RPI’, I needed one anyway due to the my three train journey so didn’t care. I missed my connection by 4 minutes so had to wait for the 1239 instead.

The Arriva Trains Wales service was on time and it was an easy half hour ride. It was 13:10 and I had 47 minutes to wait for my connection to Winsford. I was still 2.3 miles from the ground from there, Cheshire League grounds aren’t easy to get to if you don’t like spending too much money! The London Midland service was one to Liverpool and I got on a very modern and pleasant train. I’d never riden LM before but found the 9 minute trip very quick and easy.

On arrival at Winsford I checked everything and started the stopwatch walking east down the A54. The road took me through the very east edges of Winsford and along a long twisting road through a village called Stanthorne. I got to the Welcome to Middlewich sign within 23 minutes and continued to walk towards the town centre before taking a left up Webb Street and then first left into Seddon Street to find a very smart looking ground. The walk had taken 32 minutes and it was worth it. The pitch was fully railed and hard standing with two stands. I went into the main stand, raised above pitch level to find 2 rows of seats. Opposite, a small brick build shelter.

The game came 20 minutes later, it was a cagey beginning with the 5th v 4th tie, both looking to try and ease their way into the game. Gamesley had a few off target shots and Middlewich dragged a couple of efforts wide. However despite a good opening 20 it descended into near 0-0 mode. Yet again as it approached half-time I had genuine fear I’d see a 0-0, I went to take some photos and stand on the far side of the pitch next to the away support.

I had a think during half-time, this ground is a gem. Step 7 facilities that embarrass some at Step 5. It is a set of floodlights from Vodkat League standards, a great ground. The second half was NOT enlightening as it approached the hour mark, it would have been so typical to see a 0-0 2 games from the end of the season, instead it became 1-0 in Middlewich’s favour. A daft free-kick was given and 8 strolled up blasting it through the wall and in.

After that not a great deal happened as I was quite happy to see the season out without a goalless draw, how typical would it have been? Bloody typical alright! Gamesley attacked a lot in the closing stages and had the ball in off the bar and post, the referee however DID NOT allow it and even allowing for bias I thought it was in.

The whistle blew around 4:45pm and I had just under an hour to walk back to Winsford. The walk this time wasn’t too bad, I took my time with a cooling Cheshire breeze along the way. I got to the outskirts of Winsford to find Chapel Town had certainly produced a high scoring game, it wasn’t the way they needed LOSING 10-1! at Hollinwood. Catastrophic end to an at times enthralling season, 11 goals I could have seen had I not needed to watch Gamesley.

The 1739 was on time back to Crewe but that wasn’t without a Pendolino frightening the hell out of me as it tore through at around 100mph! Once in Crewe it was straight across to Platform 1 onto a waiting train, very easy and the Class 323 was empty. Unfortunately it was a stopper, the ride was eventful. A few drunks and some football fans resulted in me accidentally knocking a woman in the face with my elbow as I got off at Stockport, as I said sorry I was threatened with security and something. I walked off calm as you like and waiting for the 1905 train home.

I looked through my notes and found that I was still missing Gamesley players, it was then time to sit down and have to manipulate every rule I had to get my eleven together.

**This draft was written on Monday 10th May but has only just been posted. Sorry

End of season review to follow on Wednesday.

**Since the writing of this draft, I included one Gamesley player and put a 3-3-4 formation out. The radio slot on Wed 12th May went fine as I watched a Lawrence Cup Semi Final on Mon 10th May.

Tom

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