All of the latest news from the club
Cheadle Handed Plum Draw in Cheshire Senior Cup
Cheadle Town have been handed high-ranking opposition in this year's Cheshire Senior Cup
The Cheshire Senior Cup: as the name suggests the cup competition which all clubs under the Cheshire FA's jurisdiction enter, regardless of their level on the footballing pyramid.
This opens the possibility for us to flex our muscles against much loftier opposition if the balls come out of the felt bag in the right way and none more so than this year's competition where we have been pitted against National League's Tranmere Rovers at Park Road.
As things stand the tie has been earmarked for week commencing Monday 11th January 2016; watch this space for confirmation of the date as our allocated midweek night of Wednesday would mean a clash with the Manchester City v Everton Premier League match at The Etihad that night and we would like to do our best to maximise attendance for our fixture any which way we can.
Cheadle's record in this competition in recent years has seen us try our luck against a range of opposition from all levels, with differing results.
Notable performances include those in 2006-07 where we put in a solid performance to knock out Winsford United - then riding high in Division One of the NWCFL - 1-0 on their own turf before taking Stalybridge Celtic to extra-time at Park Road before eventually losing out 2-4.
2011-12 also saw us make it through to the following round. We put in a complete performance to see off Vauxhall Motors - then of the Northern Premier League - by a 1-0 scoreline at Park Road before a crazy evening at Cantilever Park - home of Northern Premier League's Warrington Town - where nine goals were shared in a match that went to extra-time.
It goes without saying that sometimes the gap between us and our opposition has been too big to bridge.
Stalybridge Celtic thumped us 1-7 in 2005-06, Witton Albion put five past us in a 2-5 defeat at Park Road in 2008-09, our two consecutive visits to Northwich Victoria in 2009-10 and 2010-11 saw us ship nine goals in total without reply and a visit to Hyde United a couple of seasons back saw us put in a decent performance but finally relent and go down with a 0-5 defeat.
Whatever happens it promises to be an entertaining night at Park Road with a bumper crowd. Keep your eyes peeled on this website and on Twitter for further details nearer the time.
Irlam 3-2 Cheadle Town
Cheadle Town tumbled out of the First Division Trophy with this cruel defeat at the hands of Irlam.
Blame me. I jinxed it.
With all three of the allocated minutes of injury time gone I had prepped a tweet saying "going into extra time" just as Irlam were about to send in a free-kick; unfortunately we chose the wrong time to not deal with said ball, allow it to bounce in the area and have poor Michael Birch shaft it into his own net in his haste to clear it. There was no time left to make amends.
A terrible shame as we had worked hard in the latter stages of the second half to haul ourselves back level after going 1-2 down and give ourselves another 30 minutes at trying to turn the tie back around in our favour.
We had also started the game reasonably well, taking the lead in the 18th minute thanks to a superb Liam Tongue effort.
In the lead-up to that we had already seen Liam fire the first shot in anger on the 9th minute and Rick Whyatt see a turn and shot in the box denied by a good one-handed save shortly afterwards.
When Rick turned the ball inside from the right for Liam on that 18th minute he swung a right foot at it and sent a curling, looping shot right into the top corner; think Yaya Toure's goal for Manchester City in the League Cup Final versus Sunderland a couple of years ago and you get the idea.
The pattern of the first half then shifted with the hosts having much the better of what remained.
It culminated in Irlam getting a deserved equaliser just after the half-hour mark when Liam Morrison's - Irlam's Man of the Match for me - shot from the edge of the box got a slight deflection on its way in, sending Josh Samberg the wrong way.
They should have been ahead just three minutes later but their striker somehow managed to send it skywards when put through and only a couple of yards out.
Josh Samberg was then called into action a couple of times before the break, making an excellent block on 41 minutes when Irlam looked set to score from close range (and perhaps being guilty of dallying for too long) and then showing strong hands two minutes later to beat away a fierce drive.
We found ourselves behind ten minutes after the restart after Irlam continued their pressure and a couple of undeserved yellow cards seemed to upset our rhythm. It was a well-worked move by Irlam: a nice combination of passes down the left side resulting in Boland crashing home from just inside the box.
But then the pendulum swung again.
Substitute Arnold Nsimbe looked through on goal and set to score on 77 minutes but took too long over his shot thus allowing the Irlam defence to snuff out the danger. No sooner had that chance gone begging, Liam Tongue was then put through on goal to drill home from the edge of the box.
Just two minutes after that an Irlam cross from the left found a blue-shirted free head but he got his bearings completely wrong and the ball troubled the corner flag more than it did our goal.
The tie was set to go either way and set to have that extra half-hour, but we were all spared even more of a soaking from the rain by its rather unfortunate ending.
Best of luck to Irlam in the quarter-final when they travel to Litherland REMYCA. We do battle again on Boxing Day for the league fixture.
TEAM: Samberg, Vincent, Pearson, Naughton, Dunn, Birch, Hincks, Tongue, Nolan (Nsimbe), Whyatt, Sherrington. SUBS: Nsimbe, Lee, C Jones, McLaughlin, Kennedy.
November Preview
A not-so-busy November ahead for our First XI but some key fixtures nonetheless....
Saturday 7th
Irlam (away)
First Division Trophy 2nd Round
Our first November fixture offers us the chance to step away from the stress of the league campaign and focus on the smaller of the two "domestic" cup competitions, the First Division Trophy.
Our record at Silver Street isn't that bad, upset only by the one defeat in our last five visits there but we will have to be wary of an Irlam outfit that have had a very good season thus far; at the time of writing they are sitting in 6th spot and have only been defeated twice at home.
This visit will also give us the opportunity to see how their new clubhouse is coming along. Going off what we have seen on social media it looks very smart indeed.
Irlam's new clubhouse - from the outside...
...and on the inside. We can only look on in envy.
A win takes you into the quarter finals, the format of which will be announced by the NWCFL soon after all ties have completed.
Previous five seasons at Silver Street:
2014-15: drew 2-2
2013-14: lost 0-1
2012-13: won 5-3
2011-12: won 3-1
2010-11: won 2-1
Wednesday 18th
Eccleshall (away)
NWCFL First Division
Re-arranged from Saturday 14th (due to Eccleshall having a Staffordshire Vase tie), this will be our third midweek trip to Pershall Park in succession. A long night awaits, especially if the M6 is up to its usual tricks.
They may be rock bottom of the table but don't let that fool you. They still have plenty of games-in-hand to haul themselves out of trouble and gave us plenty of food for thought when they came to Park Road earlier in the season.
Previous five seasons at Pershall Park:
2014-15: won 1-0
2013-14: won 3-1
2012-13: won 2-0
2011-12: won 5-0
2010-11: lost 2-3
Saturday 21st
Northwich Manchester Villa (home)
NWCFL First Division
As this goes to press Northwich Manchester Villa have an FA Vase 1st Round replay versus Whitley Bay pending which puts this fixture in a "50-50" status as it's the 2nd round on Saturday 21st.
The fact that they have taken Whitley Bay to a replay should tell us that this won't be easy.
Despite our relatively good record at Park Road against 'Villa the victories haven't come without extraordinary effort on our part; 'Villa have always proved to be hard work and you never know what you are going to get when you face them.
At the time of writing they were in good league form. Another difficult afternoon awaits.
Previous five seasons at Park Road:
2014-15: won 2-1; lost 2-3 (Cheshire Senior Cup)
2013-14: lost 1-2
2012-13: won 2-1
2011-12: won 3-0
2010-11: did not meet
Saturday 28th
Whitchurch Alport (away)
NWCFL First Division
The powers-that-be at Yockings Park won't thank me for this but if I was a betting man I'd put my money on a draw.
Yockings Park - somewhere new for us to tick off the list
At the start of November the NWCFL newcomers had already clocked up nine draws, seven of which at Yockings and were it not for two late goals for us in the fixture at Park Road at the start of the season, the number of draws would have been ten.
We always like to go somewhere new so we are looking forward to our first visit there...and to hopefully come away with all three points before a difficult-looking December schedule hoves into view....
Bonfire Night by Ismail Mia is licensed under Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND 2.0
Cheadle Town 2-0 Widnes
Cheadle Town extended their unbeaten league run to five games, brushing aside Widnes at Park Road Stadium.
Cheadle Town extended their unbeaten league run to five games, brushing aside Widnes at Park Road Stadium.
Goals from Thabiso Magida and Luke Pearson sealed maximum points for Cheadle, who moved into second position in the First Division following this victory.
After a cagey opening, the first chance fell to Cheadle on 19 minutes when a Luke Hincks cross fell to the feet of Darrhyl Mason who struggled to have a shot before the ball was cleared by the Widnes defence.
On 27 minutes, Widnes striker Campbell-Joseph found himself free in the area and his half-volley was shot straight into the hands of Joshua Samberg.
Christopher Sherrington came close to score on 30 minutes when his free-kick from 25 yards out was well saved by the Widnes keeper.
HT: Cheadle Town 0 Widnes 0
Cheadle opened the second half on the attack and they were awarded a penalty on 58 minutes when the impressive Mason was tripped following a blistering run into the box. Magida stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way.
Cheadle should have extended their lead on 65 minutes when Richard Whyatt picked up the ball unmarked, but could only shoot wide of an unguarded goal.
The game was sealed on 88 minutes when substitute Luke Pearson kept the ball in play and pulled it back before unleashing a shot into the back of the net.
Stockport Town 3-5 Cheadle Town
Cheadle Town deservedly won the 'SK Derby' - albeit leaving it late in the game to claim the three points in what was an entertaining match
Both sides entered the game in good form and it was Cheadle's task to put an end to Stockport's unbeaten record at the Stockport Sports Village. Stockport fielded three ex-Cheadle Town players in the form of Matty German, Nathan Neequaye and Ben Brooks - so this fixture was always going to be a keenly contested affair.
It was Stockport who dominated the early stages of the game and as early as 3 minutes Abreu headed just over. Then on 19 minutes, Matty German stuck the top of the crossbar with a well taken free kick.
A mix up in the Cheadle defence gave German another opportunity to score on 22 minutes, but his low shot was well saved by Joshua Samberg.
It wasn't until 26 minutes that Cheadle had their first real chance of the game, which saw Liam Tongue's shot from the edge of the area well saved by the Stockport keeper.
As Cheadle started to boss the game, Richard Whyatt went close on 31 minutes with a glancing header that missed the target. Cheadle's perseverance finally paid off on 38 minutes when Darryhl Mason challenge the keeper to a 50 / 50 ball, only for it to fall to Whyatt who headed home past an unguarded goal.
Stockport go back into the game on the stroke of half time as Graham hit a wonderful free kick that rebounded off the crossbar and over the line.
HT: Stockport Town 1 Cheadle Town 1
Cheadle came out in the second half in determined fashion and recaptured the lead again on 47 minutes as Mason picked up the ball inside the Stockport half and ran unchallenged before firing a low shot past the diving keeper.
Cheadle's lead was further increased on 65 minutes when the industrious Mason chased down a poor back pass only to see his effort rebound off the post, before he played it through to the unmarked Whyatt who scored easily.
Throughout this season, Cheadle have failed to kill the games off when in similar situations. That was evident on 70 minutes when Stockport reduced the arrears as a Neequaye cross was knocked past Samberg and into the net by a Cheadle defender.
Stockport's perseverance finally paid off on 78 minutes when German found himself unmarked and headed home the equaliser.
Not being too downhearted, Cheadle continued to press for the winning goal and Michael Birch had an excellent opportunity on 80 minutes as the ball fell to him at the far post, but he could only poke the ball wide of the goal.
As the game neared the end, Mason was put through one-on-one with the keeper, but a heavy final touch saw the ball run out before he could get a shot on goal.
Then within injury time, Cheadle finally got their reward as Luke Hincks fired home following good work on the right by Mason and Whyatt.
The three points were then truly sealed a minute later when Chris Sherrington hit a 'Beckham' style goal from 40 yards as he looped the ball over the keeper.
On the final whistle, a melee of pushing between both teams resulted in debutant Connor Naughton being shown a red card and Stockport's Matty German receiving his second yellow card of the game.
A wonderful night for Cheadle Town and more important two good victories on the road, before heading back to Park Road Stadium at the weekend when we host Widnes.
Chadderton 0-1 Cheadle Town
Cheadle Town moved up to 5th spot with this late win at Andrew Street.
Despite there being plenty of half-chances for either side this oddly didn't feel like a classic. Thankfully perseverance paid off for us in the end.
The hosts had the best of the opening quarter of an hour.
Josh Samberg was called into action with 5 minutes gone as he made a good block at his near post and could do nothing about Curley's effort on the 12th minute, the ball fortunately cannoning back off the upright.
Chadderton were in again on 16 minutes as a ball was fizzed across the goalmouth but the player at the far post couldn't connect with the goal at his mercy.
A bit of penalty box pinball granted us our first half-chance two minutes later but nobody was on-hand to slam home with our next opportunity coming just after the half-hour mark: Darrhyl Mason's header from a corner being saved with the loose ball then being skied over the bar by Anthony Trucca.
Josh Samberg then had to make a good save to deny Curley before he was beaten to the ball from a Chadderton free-kick, the resulting header sailing harmlessly over.
He was to deny Curley once more shortly after the restart which proved to be the last time the hosts gave Josh anything to do.
The last twenty minutes of the match were all ours as Chadderton tired.
Darryhl Mason robbed the keeper of the ball on the 70th minute and rounded him, only for his attempts to cut the ball back to be thwarted by the keeper who had made a recovery.
Darryhl was instrumental once again in our next chance a minute later, steaming down the right to deliver a cross for substitute Arnold Nsmibe at the far post only for him to side-foot wide.
With five minutes remaining we thought we had a legitimate claim for a penalty as Darryhl surged into the box and was felled, with the sound of his boot being clipped audible to all on the Cheadle bench; he suffered the same fate three minutes later but yet again no penalty.
In between those two moments Anthony Trucca rose to a Luke Hincks corner but could only plant his header high and not-so handsome.
We were clearly starting to bang our fists on Chadderton's door. Could we push it open before we ran out of time?
Yes, but with only two minutes to spare.
In a match where arguably the final ball and/or end product was lacking from both sides, Danny Vincent chose the right moment to send the perfect cross in from the right for Rick Whyatt to theatrically fling himself at and bury a header from close range.
No rest for the wicked. Another road trip - albeit a short one - on Tuesday night as we travel to Stockport Town.
TEAM: Samberg, Vincent, Magida, Trucca, Birch, Dunn, Hincks, Tongue, Mason, Whyatt, Sherrington (Nsimbe). SUBS: C Jones, Lindon, Nsimbe, Piggott (gk)
Cheadle Town 2-2 Holker Old Boys
The points were shared in this entertaining fixture between two sides vying to climb the table and put pressure on the leading pack.
Pre-match discussions for Cheadle Town centred around making the right decisions and communication as ‘Town’ looked to follow on from their impressive victory at Atherton LR the previous week.
The game started out in a rather lack lustre affair as neither side created any chances of note. Indeed it wasn’t until 29 minutes when the first goalscoring opportunity fell to Richard Whyatt who could only watch as his shot was somehow cleared off the line courtesy of the Holker keeper and defender.
On 35 minutes, Darrhyl Mason was put through one-on-one with the Holker keeper who came rushing out of his area only to bring down the oncoming Mason. Many people thought the foul was worthy of a red card, but to everyone’s amazement the keeper didn’t even receive a caution and Cheadle only had the free-kick to show for.
Mason’s chance was the final noteworthy moment of the half as the first 45 minutes ended scoreless.
HT: Cheadle Town 0 Holker Old Boys 0
Soon after the restart Holker took the lead on 47 minutes as Stephen Piggott could only parry a shot into the path of Billy Moss who scored from close range.
Cheadle finally got their deserved goal on 60 minutes when Mason whipped in a low cross from the left that was bundled over the line by a Holker defender.
Holker then took the lead again on 72 minutes when a Bradley Hubbold speculative shot from 25 yards seemed to elude Piggott as it beat him at his near post. But with two minutes Cheadle equalised again when Antony Trucca headed home a corner.
Anthony Trucca punches the air in delight after heading the second equaliser of the match
Cheadle continued to press for the victory but were denied by the stubborn Holker defence who managed to hold onto the draw.
Under normal circumstances, a draw against a strong Holker Old Boys side would have been acceptable. But with the chances that Cheadle created during the afternoon, then need to be killing off sides like this. We move onto Chadderton next weekend and we know we’ll have to be much more clinical if we are to take anything from this match.
Atherton LR 1-4 Cheadle Town
Cheadle Town finally returned to winning ways with this convincing 4-1 win at Atherton LR.
That's more like it.
In the previous match report I said there were two things that needed addressing at Crilly Park: the bad run of form and the fact that we haven't won away in the league yet this season. Fair to say that a 4-1 win isn't a bad way to respond.
Shortly after the Vulcan bomber flew over Crilly Park on the 5th minute we sprung into action, Chris Sherrington providing a teasing cross for Rick Whyatt only for the LR keeper to block the shot.
We're used to things flying overhead when at Park Road anyway.....!
Two minutes later we found ourselves ahead. Rick Whyatt turning provider this time, slotting Danny Vincent through on goal whose initial shot hit and then bobbled over the keeper's prone body, allowing Danny to leapfrog him and stroke home into an unguarded net.
Three minutes later and Rick was through on goal himself having latched onto a flick-on header but he shot wide.
Our dominance brought further reward on the 21st minute. Chris Sherrington again providing another teasing cross from the left for Danny Vincent who made no mistake and side-footed home from close range for his second of the game.
LR's only realistic chance in the first half came on the half-hour mark when a cross from the left was side-netted at the far post, one of those efforts that managed to fool a few people into thinking it had actually gone in.
Shortly before half-time we had a great opportunity to go further ahead but Luke Pearson screwed his shot horribly wide when through on goal.
LR were then afforded a spell of their own for the opening part of the second half, one which would see them reduce the arrears on the 56th minute when we switched off somewhat at a corner and allowed Dickinson a free header on goal.
With the surrender of two-goal leads at Ashton Town and Handsworth Parramore still fresh in the memory LR's spell of possession was making yours truly slightly nervous. On 66 minutes both Steve Piggott and thankfully an LR striker completely missed a through ball which didn't help matters one bit.
In hindsight there was nothing to be concerned about as we then took complete control of the game once more from the 70th minute.
Taking advantage of a mistake from the LR left-back, Danny Vincent charged down the right and delivered the perfect ball for Rick Whyatt to plant home from inside the box.
Substitute Rathburn was then through on goal on 78 minutes but saw his effort cleared off the line with us extending the lead even further with six minutes remaining thanks to an outrageous goal.
Seeing the LR keeper off his line and fully 40 yards out on the left of midfield, Luke Pearson unleashed a dipping shot that might already be a contender for our goal of the season.
On either side of that goal were two more that had been disallowed; substitute Liam Tongue the unlucky person on both occasions, wandering into offside positions.
We return home to Park Road this coming weekend when we entertain Holker Old Boys before a busy end to the month with two away trips to Chadderton and Stockport Town before the return fixture against Widnes. Here's hoping this win has signalled an end to the bad run and a return to the form we enjoyed at the start of the season.
TEAM: Piggott, McLaughlin, Pearson, Trucca, Birch, Dunn, Vincent (Rathburn), Hincks, Westmerland (Tongue), Whyatt, Sherrington. SUBS: Rathburn, MacAulay, Tongue.
Volunteers Needed for a Work Day at Park Road
We are calling upon the help of the local community once more to help us get Park Road in ship-shape condition
There is a work day at Park Road Stadium on Sunday 18th October to finish off some jobs and we would like your help if you are free that morning.
Starting at 10.00am we will require help with the following tasks:
- clearing the car park of any stones (that could be used as missiles)
- removal of the advertising boards from the pitch perimeter
- disposal of said boards to the local recycling centre
- the perimeter barrier made good where necessary
- cutting back of grass from hard-standing area around the pitch
If you are able to attend then it would be great if you could bring the following tools with you:
- wheelbarrows
- rakes
- shovels
- edging tools
- spades
- screwdrivers
- pliers
- pincers
- estate/crossover/4x4 cars (to transport boards)
Many, many thanks if you can offer your help.
Cheadle Town 0-3 Rochdale Town
Cheadle Town's slump in form continued as they fell to a disappointing 0-3 defeat at the hands of Rochdale Town
Our first league defeat at home this season and the first time we have failed to score this season; I think this is what they call "a bad night at the office".
We had our half-chances - more of those in a bit - but we were far from what we would call our best all evening and if we're brutally honest with ourselves can have absolutely no complaints about Rochdale Town taking all three points back home with them.
With the few half-chances that we did create, it also felt as though our scoreline would still be "nil" if we were still playing now.
On the 15th minute the 'Dale keeper smacked a clearance against the onrushing Darryhl Mason. Maybe seven times out of ten the ball does the decent thing and allows Darryhl the free run on goal; on this occasion it rolls just out of his reach and out of play.
Five minutes later and Darryhl is unmarked in the box and on the end of a left-wing cross, but this evening he gets his footing all wrong at the last minute and his intelligent attempt to back-flick it in sails harmlessly over the bar.
Those were the only two incidents of note in a turgid opening half hour until we went and handed Rochdale their opening goal on a plate.
Coming out to deal with a lofted through-ball, Josh Samberg managed to both miss it and collide with one of his own defenders with the ball squirming free for Rochdale's Jonny Thompson to roll it home off the post from the edge of the box.
Two minutes later Rochdale extended their lead. Possession was lost in our midfield with the denouement being Scott Alfrey rifling home from the edge of the box.
The second half started as uneventfully as the first and suddenly woke up with around 20 minutes to go as we looked to get a foothold in the game.
The ever tireless Darryhl Mason fizzed one across the goalmouth on 68 minutes but Mssrs Sherrington and Whyatt were just short of getting on the end of it.
Josh Samberg then made a good double save a minute later, pushing away a Rochdale long range effort and then recovering quickly to block the follow-up shot at his near post.
The 75th minute saw a minor turning point in the game from a Cheadle point of view. Chris Sherrington's cross from the left was met with the meatiest of headers from Rick Whyatt only for it to cannon off the underside of the bar and bounce away to safety. That goes in and it's a different game as it might have given us the impetus to go on a get a result.
As it turns out that was to be our last significant knock on the Rochdale door. With the game petering out to its evident conclusion the visitors went and capped their win in injury time, breaking away and taking all the time in the world to allow Kyle Jackson to stroke home from close range.
To Crilly Park this weekend where two things need arresting: one, this bad run of form of ours that hasn't seen us win any of our last five matches in all competitions and two, the fact that we are yet to win away from home in the league this season.
Onwards.
TEAM: Samberg, McLaughlin (Vincent), Pearson, Trucca, Kennedy (Rathburn), MacAuley, Magida, Westmerland (Nolan), Mason, Whyatt, Sherrington. SUBS: Nolan, Rathburn, Vincent.
The photos and match footage below are reproduced with very kind permission of David Wright.
Prize Draw Winners
The latest winners of the Prize Draw have been announced.
Here are the winners of the latest Prize Draw.....
1st Prize
Ticket Number 02587
B Allen, Cale Green
2nd Prize
Ticket Number 01684
S Hill, Hazel Grove
3rd Prize
Ticket Number 04863
Miss J Wilson, Offerton
Congratulations to all who have a slightly fatter wallet for autumn!
Five-a-Side Court Filling Fast!
Booking slots on our five-a-side court are filling fast....
If you want to book a kick-around on our five-a-side court at Park Road Stadium then do it quickly as booking slots are starting to go with the winter nights drawing in.
Interested? Simply call Chris on 07711 670782 to see what is available.
Slots are charged at £25 per hour.