No.41 - Sat. 1st March 2008; FA Vase Round 6                                        3.00pm at Kellamergh Park, Warton, Blackpool, Lancs. (Att: 1093 - record; Prog: 32pp incl. 4pp pull-out, £2) 

 

View matchday images  01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

Kirkham & Wesham (1) 2  Coventry Sphinx (1) 2 (3-3 AET) 

Hopping heaven! 

The sixth round draw for the FA Vase threw up some interesting ties. There was plenty of local interest here with both Needham Market and Lowestoft Town flying the flag for the Ridgeons Eastern Counties League and for the county of Suffolk. But from a hopping point of view the game at Kirkham & Wesham FC was favourite being the only club (of the four drawn at home) and ground that I had yet to visit. In the days leading up to the  match the club posted all the important details on their excellent website. Once our tickets had been booked it was with eager anticipation that we headed up to Blackpool and Kellamergh Park for part one of a mini hopping weekend break. 

The game was a thriller! Kirkham went ahead after 15 minutes against the run of play when young Mike Clark latched onto a through pass from Phil Blackwell to put the home side in front. But Coventry hit back just before the break when big burly Jack Cudworth stole in low to head in the equalizer just three minutes before half time from a well taken free-kick by Tom Bates. While there was no argument that the visitors had the balance of play in the first-half, Kirkham’s half-time team-talk kick-started them into life after the break and twice in the space of 60 seconds both skipper Phil Thompson (a header) and Mark Wane went close before Ged Smith was brought down in the box after 51 minutes. Striker Sean Paterson cooly slotted in his 20th goal of the season from the spot to send the crowd of more than 1,000 in raptures - except that is the three coachloads of Sphinx fans who had swelled the gate at Kellamergh Park. Coventry substitute Chris Harris got on the end of a deep tantalizing inswinger from Rob Stevenson on the left hand side six minutes from time to send the tie into extra-time and sink the Kirkham hearts.

Kirkham introduced sub Michael Horsfall who bemused the visitors defence with his runs, and then hit a post, but it was the visitors who struck first just a minute before the break in extra-time when another of their talented substitutes, tricky Tom Maguire, fired in Sphinx’ third, a shot across Kirkham ‘keeper Pete Summerfield to put Coventry in front for the first time in the tie. But with time ticking down and Kirkham’s Wembley dreams seemingly in tatters, Horsfall fired in a shot that Sphinx ‘keeper Ashley Hooker found too hot to handle, and there was striker Wane to chip in the rebound for his 21st strike of the season. While both camps will feel that they should have won it, there is little doubt that on the day neither of these two fine sides deserved to exit the competition just yet.

 

The match, played in cold blustery conditions, was watched by a club record crowd of 1093. A simply quite superb programme edited by the club press officer Howard Jones was issued for the game priced £2. This comes complete with a special insert containing photos and a report from the club's fifth round victory away to Sussex Leaguers Crowborough Athletic played in February. There's loads to read about the club, opponents and the FA Vase competition as well as the wide range of up to date match stats. Refreshments were available from both the club tea bar and an outside catering van parked up alongside the entrance. The meat and potato pie was particularly delicious and comes highly recommended.  

The club moved from Coronation Park in Kirkham to Kellamergh Park in 2005. The ground has a rural location  being on the outskirts of Warton on the Fylde peninsula. Incidently there will be a change of name to reflect their geographical location next season (to AFC Fylde). Access is through the car park of the Burley Arms pub and this leads along a bumpy track to a small car park close to the entrance and turnstile block. Visitors will be impressed by the large sign advertising both Kirkham & Wesham and the North West Counties League. 

The ground is enclosed by a concrete perimeter wall. A small stand with four rows of blue plastic tip-up seats and perspex glazing at each end, straddles the halfway line on the left side. The pitch is surrounded by a metal post and rail fence painted white. Wooden huts outside the perimeter fence behind the goal house the dressing rooms, toilets and refreshment room. And that's about it - basic but homely.

It is always great to bump into old (and not so old) hopping mates isn't it. Our day was complete when we met hopping guru and FGIF correspondent Andy Sneddon (who lives closeby in neighbouring Lytham). He was not surprised that Kirkham had reached this stage of the competition. Apparently there's plenty of financial support and ambition here. Indeed Kirkham & Wesham have achieved much success in recent years having won the West Lancashire League Premier Division title on countless occasions before entering the North West Counties League. After a cracking campaign they are poised to take honours again and climb into the top division of this League. The place is really buzzing and a victory over Sphinx will lead to a lucrative two legged semi-final and who knows maybe Wembley. The club will definitely have come a long way then!

                               FGIF Rating: 5* Kirkham & Wesham website (incl. directions)                                       

edited on 08/03/08