Penistone Church 1-3 Cheadle Town

Did you know that this year's FA Cup competition was only 36 seconds old before it saw its first goal?

36 seconds. That's fairly impressive and is a proverbial medal to hang around the neck for the team that managed it.

The nation's cap is doffed to thee, Penistone Church FC. Capitalising on some nervy, nee calamitous defending by our back line, Church's Danny Joynes seized the ball on the right of the penalty area and lashed home past the despairing dive of Ben Jupp.

Not the best of starts, and matters didn't get any better as we were, simply put, a bag of nerves for the opening 20 minutes as passes went astray, the ball wouldn't stick and our pinpoint passing game and sharpness that had served us so well in pre-season had gone AWOL.

Our restlessness was still there for all to see on 21 minutes as Penistone should arguably have gone 2-0 up as we failed to deal with the ball in the area; various attempted - and failed - clearances finally, and thankfully, being lashed just over the bar.

But that moment proved to be something of a turning point. We started to find our passing range, enjoyed much more possession and started to pin Penistone into their own half.

And on 34 minutes it paid off. Matt German' s influence on the game was starting to show and it was he who, with a deft turn, set up Mike Sherrington on the right to lob the onrushing keeper and level matters.

Three minutes before half time saw another chance for us, with Luke Hincks drifting the ball in from the left for Sam Noar to head only for him to slightly lose his bearings and head well wide.

The half-time break didn't disrupt the momentum we had gathered.

Just eight minutes after the restart we took the lead for the first time in the tie when a Luke Hincks cross from the left was slammed home from close range by James Dunn.

James almost got his second just four minutes later, meeting a Liam Tongue cross from the right with his head to force the keeper to beat away at the near post.

The slenderness of a 2-1 lead was almost demonstrated on 70 minutes when James Dunn headed a cross from the right into danger with the resulting effort brushing the foot of the post.

But after that it was all Cheadle, with a hatful of chances coming in the final ten minutes of the game to put the game to bed.

On 80 minutes Matt German put Mike Sherrington clean through for him to screw a shot wide of the upright with the deciding goal coming just a minute later.

A moment of hesitancy by the Penistone defence was seized upon by Sam Noar as he rounded the keeper and then kept the coolest of heads to wait for assistance; Luke Hincks was the first on the scene and it was he who blasted home off the underside of the bar to give us a much-needed cushion.

Four minutes later Luke fed Sam Noar on the right with his square pass met by Liam Tongue and fingertipped past the post by the keeper.

One minute later and Matt German threaded in another delicious pass, this time for Liam Tongue who was, with the Penistone keeper haring down on him, forced to attempt the lob that ended up being just over the bar.

A win that takes us to Wincham Park in two weeks' time and an away tie in the Preliminary Round versus Northern Premier League 1 outfit Northwich Victoria. A first win in the FA Cup for us since August 2011 in that madcap 8-2 win at Chadderton; we had almost forgotten what wining in this competition had felt like.

Our thanks to Penistone Church FC for their hospitality which, as we have found out so many times now at clubs in the Northern Counties East League, was gracious and top-notch. We wish them all the best for the coming season.

Next up for us is the start of the league campaign as Litherland REMYCA visit Park Road on Wednesday evening.

TEAM: Jupp, McLaughlin, Magida, Russell, Moore, Dunn, Hincks, Tongue, Noar, M Sherrington, German. SUBS: Piggott (gk), Connolly, Whyatt, Tosum, Horan.

August Preview

Saturday 6th
Penistone Church (away)
FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round

What a way to start the season: with an FA Cup match.

But we're not complaining. After being without FA Cup matches for the past two seasons we are delighted to have them back once more.

This year's draw has sent us halfway across the Pennines to pit our wits against Penistone Church FC of the Northern Counties East League Division One, which puts them at the same level of the footballing pyramid as us.

(Image: theunderdogblog.com)

They are relative newcomers to football at this level. Formed as early as 1906 they spent their formative years in the Sheffield Amateur League before joining the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior League.

They flitted inbetween the First and Premier Divisions in the 1990s before becoming more permanent residents of the Premier Division in the 2000s/10s.

They joined the Northern Counties East League in the 2014-15 season and finished a respectable 9th before finishing an even better 5th last season, enduring the same play-off heartbreak as us as AFC Emley defeated them in the semi-final.

The reward for the winners will be a trip to Northwich Victoria in the Preliminary Round on Saturday 20th.

Should the match be tied then the replay will be at Park Road on Wednesday 10th, taking the place of...

Wednesday 10th
Litherland REMYCA (home)
Hallmark Security League First Division

Assuming no replay is required then this will be our first Hallmark Security League Division One match of the season.

As you can see from the previous results this usually brings a hatful of goals, with last season's run-out coming right in the middle of our shocking run in new year; REMYCA caught us at the right time....

Previous five seasons at Park Road:
2015-16: lost 2-4
2014-15: won 4-3
2013-14: did not meet
2012-13: did not meet
2011-12: did not meet

Saturday 13th
St Helens Town (home)
Hallmark Security League First Division

St Helens were the team that we pipped to 6th spot last season; probably fair to say that St Helens will be up there again this season so this might end up being a crucial battle for three points very early doors.

...and also a chance for us to avenge the 1-2 reversal from last season, another defeat that came in that awful January slump.

Previous five seasons at Park Road:
2015-16: lost 1-2
2014-15: did not meet
2013-14: did not meet
2012-13: did not meet
2011-12: did not meet

Saturday 20th
Alsager Town (away)
Hallmark Security League First Division

Assuming that we are unsuccessful in our FA Cup tie vs Penistone Church then this will be our first league away match of the season...and also our first one against one of the newcomers to the First Division after 'The Bullets' were one of the three relegated teams.

We have faced Alsager at their ground in more recent history - a 0-6 reversal in the FA Cup Preliminary round back in 2006-07 when they were a Northern Premier League 1 side - but as is customary with any "new" team we face in these monthly previews, a spot of history....

Formed in 1968 they were members of the Mid Cheshire League in the 1970s and early 1980s - changing their name to Alsager United in the process - before gaining promotion from the Midland League and joining the North West Counties League in 2001-02...and changing their name back to Alsager Town.

They were promoted from Division Two (as it was back then) immediately and enjoyed top-half finishes in Division One before being promoted to the Northern Premier League for the 2006-07 season (when they faced Cheadle in the FA Cup).

They only stayed in the NPL for two seasons before rejoining the North West Counties League, remaining in the Premier Division before being relegated at the end of last season.

Wednesday 24th
Chadderton (home)
Hallmark Security League First Division

It's August so therefore we must be playing Chadderton at some point....

Chadderton's aim this season will be to improve on their 14th place last season and recapture the good form that saw them take a play-off berth two seasons ago (where they were ultimately defeated by AFC Darwen).

Previous five seasons at Park Road:
2015-16: drew 1-1
2014-15: drew 1-1
2013-14: won 2-0
2012-13: drew 0-0
2011-12: lost 1-2

Saturday 27th
Oswestry Town (home)
Hallmark Security League First Division

And it's a warm welcome to the first of our league newcomers to Park Road.

The original Oswestry Town were formed in 1860 and were members of the Shropshire League, Birmingham & District League, Cheshire County League (1960s and early 1970s), Southern League (late 1970s) and then the Northern Premier League before they folded in 1988.

They were reformed in 1993, joining the Welsh National League before becoming twice champions of the Cymru Alliance before becoming members of the League of Wales (later to become the Welsh Premier League) in the early 2000s.

In 2003 they were merged into Total Network Solutions FC (a name that will be familiar to Manchester City fans as they faced them in the UEFA Cup in 2003-04) and thus technically ceased to exist as a separate entity.

Until 2013, when FC Oswestry Town were formed (note the slight name change), joining the Mercian Regional League and wining the title last season before being admitted to the NWCFL for 2016-17. Their "link" with TNS still exists in that they share the Park Hall ground with them.

Tuesday 30th
Ashton Town (away)
Hallmark Security League First Division

It still grates. That 2-3 defeat at Edge Green Street last season, a match lost in the last ten minutes when coasting 2-0 up. Anyhow...

The last game of a busy August sees us given the chance of avenging that loss and to arrest a poor run of form at Edge Green Street; the only game we have won there in the past five seasons is a 2-0 win in a League Cup replay with our last league win there being at the start of the 2010-11 season.

Last five seasons at Edge Green Street:
2015-16: lost 2-3
2014-15: lost 0-1
2013-14: lost 1-4
2012-13: won 2-0 (League Cup 1 replay); drew 3-3
2011-12: drew 0-0

Cheadle Town 2-2 Glossop North End

And so the curtain falls on this season's pre-season activities. If the adage of "starting as you mean to go on" rings true for the rest of the season then we're in for a treat; we have been a joy to watch over the past three weeks.

And none more so than in the first 16 minutes of this encounter against Glossop North End of the Northern Premier League First Division, 16 minutes that saw two exceptional goals rattle the back of the GNE net.

First up, after just two minutes, was Liam Tongue. Seizing possession in midfield, he drove forward and unleashed one of his howitzers from distance.

Nathan Tosum then got in on the act with a vicious, dipping shot from fully 25 yards out. Anything that Liam Tongue can do....

In between those two goals was a decent chance for Mike Sherrington as he latched onto a threaded ball from Thab Magida only to see his attempted dink excellently clawed away by the GNE keeper.

The first half ended with GNE starting to get a foothold in the game. Their no11 managed to fashion himself some space at the edge of the area before screwing a shot horribly wide before their no3 let fly from distance, forcing our Ben Jupp to acrobatically tip over the bar.

Ben was on hand again minutes into the restart, denying Astley Mulholland from close range before they reduced the arrears on 50 minutes when Mike Norton hooked an already goalbound shot past Jupp.

Liam Tongue raced through on goal shortly afterwards but side-netted his chance before Norton was through again just before the hour mark, shovelling his shot just wide this time.

Good work down the right from Mike Sherrington on 66 minutes was almost rewarded but his cut-back was cut out at the last minute before Magida could sweep home.

With just four minutes remaining GNE got the equaliser. A lofted ball into the Cheadle box was headed down into the path of an awaiting forward who lashed home with ease from close range.

A shame from our point of view as it looked as though our grit and resolve in the second half was going to fashion us the win...but perhaps deserved from a GNE perspective given their much-improved performance in the second half.

Our thanks to our friends at Glossop North End for the pre-season match and to their band of merry followers who, as ever, came in numbers and good spirits. All the best for the forthcoming season.

The next time we take to the field it will be for real and a baptism of fire as we are flung straight into the FA Cup.

To Penistone and all that it may bring.

STARTING XI: Jupp, McLaughlin, Pearson, Russell, Shaw, Dunn, Hincks, Tongue, Tosum, M Sherrington, Magida. SUBS: Piggott (gk), Milne, Whyatt, Connolly, Horan.

Cheadle Town 2-0 West Didsbury & Chorlton

The eagle-eyed spectator who knows WD&C's squad like the back of their hand would be quick to tell you that it wasn't a full-strength outfit but nonetheless this was still a decent victory over a team that gave us a good workout; at full-time the cheeks were puffed out that little bit fuller and the sweat glistened on the foreheads that little bit more markedly.

There was no five-goal haul this time either, but that was largely down to the performance of the WD&C keeper in the first half; easily the man of the match in the opening 45 minutes.

He was first called into action in the 9th minute. Liam Tongue's cross from the left was met first-time by Mike Sherrington and 'West's custodian was there to parry with an excellent reaction stop.

Liam was instrumental again just after the quarter-hour mark, driving in from the left to Tabby Magida who stabbed his effort inches wide.

The WD&C keeper then kept out two efforts in quick succession. First he came out quick to thwart Sam Noar who was bearing down on goal and then beat away a fierce Liam Tongue piledriver.

On the half hour Tab Magida then cut in from the left only to shoot straight at the keeper with our pressure finally counting on the 34th minute.

Again the keeper made an excellent save. He somehow managed to get his hands onto Sam Noar's header after he had connected with a Luke Hincks cross from the left but he could do nothing about Liam Tongue gobbling up the loose ball and tapping home from close range.

Just three minutes later and the 'keeper was rounded by Tab after he had latched onto a delightful through ball from Luke Hincks but then made a great recovery to deny a goalscoring opportunity.

There was time before the break for Liam Tongue to be denied twice, once by an excellent save and the other by his slight innacuracy.

The second half couldn't have been any different from the first. Chances were at a premium and it ended up being a scrappy affair, with the only chance of note coming nine minutes from time that saw our lead extended; Liam Tongue collecting a looping through ball and tucking home from close range.

The final pre-season workout comes tomorrow evening [Tuesday] when Northern Premier League 1 side Glossop North End come to 'Town. And then it starts for real....

STARTING XI: Jupp, McLaughlin, Pearson, Russell, Moore, Shaw, M Sherrington, Tongue, Noar, Hincks, Magida. SUBS: Ward, Dunn, Connolly.

Knutsford 1-5 Cheadle Town

First of all, something of an appeal.

If a Knutsford resident who isn't short of a bob or two and is suddenly feeling in a philanthropic mood could buy a handful of things for their local football club that would be great: a set of floodlights, some hard standing to go around the ground and a perimeter fence.

Those three things would mean that they'd be in a position to join the North West Counties League, a league that they would grace and be more than welcome in.

Knutsford FC's clubhouse - not at all bad if we say so ourselves

A massive thank you to all at Knutsford FC for their benevolent hospitality last night and for opening our eyes as to what can be achieved clubhouse-wise with simple resources.

Onto the match itself and it was another useful 90 minutes of match fitness for all involved, with some eye-catching performances to boot.

As the cliche goes, it's a nice problem for any manager to be spoilt for choice squad-wise; it is looking more likely that Terry will have such a problem this season as some new faces marked their debuts in impressive style.

Sam Noar a case in point. It only took him three minutes to open his Cheadle account, latching onto a through ball on the edge of the box and deftly wafting the ball past the onrushing keeper with the outside of his boot.

Ex-Cheadle striker Dean Nolan - now wearing the red of Knutsford - was in busy mood all evening. His first moment of note came in the 8th minute, fashioning himself some space on the edge of the area before firing just over.

On 11 minutes we increased our lead. Luke Pearson's free-kick from the right was mishandled by the Knutsford keeper and pounced upon by Joe Shaw who stabbed home.

Sam Noar was in the action again just two minutes later, shooting just over the bar after some excellent work by Luke Hincks and Mike Sherrington.

A superb acrobatic effort by a Knutsford forward was kept out by Piggott just after the quarter-hour markbefore Jordan Milne - another one that provided a promising debut - gave a display of neat footwork before providing a cross that Luke Hincks was a matter of inches away from connecting with.

A superb playing surface contributed to an excellent match with neat passing play from both sides

Five minutes before the break Sam Noar was at it again, rounding the keeper before checking back and trying a cheeky clip over the stranded keeper, only for his effort to unluckily bounce off the underside of the crossbar.

Just two minutes later and our lead was extended as Luke Pearson's penalty squirmed under the keeper's body; he later admitted that he had committed the cardinal sin of changing his mind right at the last minute. He got away with it. Just.

Steve Piggott was called into action just before half-time, doing well to get down sharply and push away a shot.

Just three minutes after the re-start we got our fourth. Jordan Milne deservedly getting himself on the board by hooking home a Luke Hincks cross from the left.

Sam Noar was denied at close range by an excellent save before Knutsford went up the other end and should have reduced arrears when offered a free header from a free-kick.

The usual pre-season game of "musical substitutes" then started but the flow wasn't disrupted that much to deny us any more goals.

Sam Noar got his second of the match on 66 minutes, collecting a pass from the right before shifting the ball onto his right foot and hammering home at the near post.

Knutsford's overall neat play was rewarded with six minutes of the match remaining with an easy finish via a through ball on the edge of the box.

Just two more pre-season matches remain and two tough tests to go with them: NWCFL Premier Division outfit West Didsbury & Chorlton this Saturday followed by Northern Premier 1 side Glossop North End.

STARTING XI: Piggott, McLaughlin, Pearson, Moore, Shaw, Russell, Hincks, Tongue, Noar, M Sherrington, Milne. SUBS: Jupp (gk), Ward, Horan, Whyatt.

Poynton 0-5 Cheadle Town

On arrival to Poynton Sports Club on Saturday afternoon you could have taken your pick of things to watch: tennis, a spot of leisurely bowls, a batting collapse on the cricket field or five football goals in this professional pre-season victory.

The starting eleven find out whether they are in the starting eleven or not

You'd have been forgiven for allowing your eyes to wander elsewhere for the first 20 minutes of this match as there was only one thing of note to speak of: Jonathan McLaughlin's drive from the edge of the area tipped over the bar on the 5th minute mark.

Tweeter's curse, Sod's Law, call it what you will, but after reporting that "nothing much had happened" on the 20 minute mark Mike Sherrington then broke the deadlock, evading the attention of two Poynton defenders to fashion himself some space in the box and fire home.

Liam Tongue went close with one of his trademark efforts before Tom Russell extended our lead on 35 minutes, dealing with a bouncing ball around the edge of the area with a deft flick of the outside of his boot.

Luke Hincks quashed any Poynton comeback early in the second half by finishing off a nice move from the edge of the box before Mike Sherrington was in on the action twice more, catching the keeper off his line only to see his lob sail inches over the bar and then profiting from good work by Liam Tongue only to see his effort saved brilliantly by the Poynton keeper.

Poynton looked set to reduce the arrears with ten minutes remaining but a last-ditch saving tackle by Joe Shaw meant we would keep a clean sheet.

As the game drew to its 90th minute we netted twice in quick succession. Liam Tongue latching onto a pass from Matthew German to roll home from the edge of the box before an unmarked Luke Pearson nodding home from close range to give the scoreline an emphatic sheen.

A good work out against energetic opposition and a bit more match fitness for those involved; in a pre-season game you can ask for no more.

Onto Knutsford this Thursday.

STARTING XI: Piggott, McLaughlin, Pearson, Shaw, Moore, Russell, Hincks, Tongue, M Sherrington, Tosum, Magida. SUBS: Connolly, German, Dunn, Rigby (gk)

Squad Update: Registered Players

Pre-season is just around the corner and we've been busy updating our playing squad in time for the big kick-off.

Here is a full lost of those who are registered to pull on the green-and-black for next season, be it for the First XI or the Reserves squad:

Zach CLARKE
Ben CONNOLLY
James DUNN
Jude GILBERT
Seb GROARKE
Luke HINCKS
James HORAN
Ben JUPP
Andy LINDON
Chris McGREEVY
Jonathan McLAUGHLIN
James MOORE
Conor NAUGHTON
Arnold NSIMBE
Luke PEARSON
Stephen PIGGOTT
Michael PRICE
Adam RIGBY
Tom RUSSELL
Mike SHERRINGTON
Liam TONGUE
Nathan TOSUM
Jack WARD
Richard WHYATT

More updates to this list as and when we have them.

League Cup & First Division Trophy Draws

The distant sound of the forthcoming season can be heard. We now know who we will face in both of the "domestic" cup competitions.

League Cup (Macron Challenge Cup)

We will enter this competition in the Second Round, facing an away trip to the winners of Widnes v Alsager Town. This match will be played on Saturday 29th October.

First Division Trophy (Reusch First Division Cup)

Again, we enter this competition in the second round and have been drawn away to NWCFL newcomers City of Liverpool. The date of this tie has yet to be determined.

Volunteers Needed at Cheadle Town FC

We are always on the look out for volunteers here at Cheadle Town FC.

Have you always wanted to get involved with non-league football? Always wanted to be regarded as a volunteer in any capacity and contribute to a local cause?

We could do with a few extra helping hands here at Park Road, be it to help out with minor tasks on matchday (behind the bar, matchday preparation etc.) or helping with the upkeep of Park Road Stadium itself outside of matchday (painting, general DIY jobs etc.).

If you are interested then please contact the chairman Chris Davies on (0161) 428 2510

Prize Draw Winners

First Prize
Mr S Sibbien, Hazel Grove
Ticket no: 02356

Second Prize
Mr B Dale, Edgeley
Ticket no: 01472

Third Prize
Mr D Higginbotham, Bredbury
Ticket no: 02927

Ex-Player Returns as Assistant Manager

It will be interesting to hear the views of new Reserves Team Assistant Manager David McGreal when he takes up his new post.

Not so much on his opinion of coaching, but what he thinks of Cheadle Town FC thesedays as he returns to the club that he played for in the days of Larry Gaffney as manager (in the 1990s).

Watch this apace as we will seek an interview with David to recall his days at the club and how he is looking forward to returning.

WANTED: Reserves Team Assistant Manager and Coach plus First XI Goalkeeping Coach

We have three coaching/management opportunities at Cheadle Town FC.

The first and second are related to the Reserves Squad. We are looking for a Coach and an additional Assistant Manager to assist Chris Woods on matchdays and help out with training where possible.

The third opportunity is a Goalkeeping Coach. The primary remit will be to assist with the First XI on matchdays but to aid with overall coaching duties during training as well.

Interested? Please contact First Team Manager Terry Hincks on 07976 725399