See you all behind the goal

Club News March 2005

Great win for Reserves in the Cheshire Amateur Cup semi-final 2-1 v. West Kirby @ Vauxhall Motors.

A very hard fought win for the Reserves to fight their way into the Final of the County Amateur Cup- helped by goals from Alex Bishop and John Couch- West Kirby scored a penalty to get back in the game, but a stinger of a shot from John Couch ended their dreams of an appearance in the final of this most prestigious of Cups with a truly magnificent trophy!

Having defeated West Kirby in their semi, Cammell Laird now face Vauxhall Motors in the final. Look out for the date and venue to be confirmed on site soon.

http://www.cheshirefa.com/

Club News 28th Feb 2005

Last Saturday, 26th Feb saw the last 8 of the League Challenge Cup

As we enter the very crucial last third of the season, it`s good to see the continued effort and endeavour of the players- there has been no let up, no hiccups after the first defeat of the season two weeks ago. The players responded magnificently with a top class away win at the League Leaders Winsford United, just four days after the disappointment at Eccleshall. In a very hostile environment.

Goals from Ian Cooke and James McCoy saw us take a 2-0 half time lead, and finally, after Winsford replied with a penalty very late in the game, we emerged victorious and leapfrogged Winsford to go Top of the League!

Another big test followed on Saturday 19th, when we entertained Padiham at home. Padiham have been leading the League for much of the season, and the games in hand mean nothing on the day. If anything it spurs on the opponents!

What a marvellous performance from Lairds - the passing, running off the ball, shooting and all round play was the best we have managed for a long time.

A James McCoy hat-trick was well deserved for the lad as were goals from Ronnie Morgan, Ian Cooke and John Couch - making a total score of 6-0! This was an unbelievable result against one of the top teams in the division and incidentally the Padiham boys were very generous in defeat and hopefully enjoyed their first ever trip to Lairds (apart from the result).

Last Saturday, 26th Feb saw the last 8 of the League Challenge Cup and we were up against a team from the top 6 in the first division- Bacup Borough. They are the holders of this trophy and were determined to keep it! In their team they had ex-Premier League winner David May who also won a Champion`s League medal with Manchester United, and was also an F.A.Cup winner in 1999 when United did the “Treble”.

They also had Ben Thornley in their line up, also ex- Manchester United and Huddersfield with David Fellgate, ex Bolton, (Welsh international also I was told) in goal, who played several hundred League games for several pro Clubs!

However, Lairds were on song and attacked continuously and it was only a matter of time before the inevitable happened. David Fellgate couldn`t possibly save ever single shot although he did his best and nearly succeeded!

Ronnie Morgan netted his 42nd goal of the season.

Bacup came more into the game in the second half but Lairds had too many chances not to score again and Ian Cooke made it 2-0 with Lairds looking like they were cruisinguntil Bacup scored and we thought we were looking at a nervous 10-15 minutes but the controlled passing, fitness and confident play won the day for Lairds who can now look fotward to a two-legged semi-final tie against much fancied Fleetwood Town who are leading the First Division and look good for promotion.

Great times for our Club,- keep in touch, keep in contact from all over the world, I`ll answer every e-mail.

Signing off,

See you all behind the goal

C.Ross-Bar
Programme Editor
C.L.F.C.