Maghull FC

 It was a trip to Merseyside on the weekend of St Patrick's Day and with Mother's Day the following day I took the mother for an all expenses paid ground hop.

We started the day in Liverpool and went to the excellent pound bakery cafe for a cheap and wholesome breakfast, that for the price are also surprisingly good quality. We also went next door to their shop to acquire various bakes and sandwiches for tea on the long coach ride home. We went down to the Albert dock area for a while and enjoyed the spring sunshine before going to Liverpool Central Station to catch an Ormskirk train to Maghull. Don't be tempted to stay on a stop longer to Maghull North it's a long way from the ground. Upon arrival at Maghull station there is a small station cafe where you can get an excellent coffee if you need a caffeine fix. There's ample seating and they also do very good strawberry milkshakes.

The walk to the ground is a welcoming short one, taking approximately 10 minutes at a good pace, situated next door to a cricket ground, the football ground is simple but very clean and tidy. It struck me how organised they were as a club, despite our early arrival at 1pm the admission booth was open and we were able to amble around to the bar and enjoy a drink outside in the sun. As the clock ticked to 2pm we were wondering about lunch and immediately the home made scouse with crusty bread caught my eye. Every so often you go to a gem of a club that offers excellent home made food instead of the old fashioned meat pie and a few thin fries that used to be the norm. This was one of the gems. We both opted for the scouse, which was brought out to us, it really was top class as I told the chef when she asked, if visiting maghull please consider it, at £5 a portion you won't be disappointed. You can also have the pickled cabbage and beetroot if you want the whole experience at no extra cost but this is optional as it's not to everyone's taste. They also offered a curry option which I would guess to be equally as good quality. I love it when visiting a club that takes some pride in the food they offer.

I'd noted that Maghull were getting some excellent crowds and today was no different, 305 through the door, outstanding for the level they are at. The game started off like a game of chess, not a lot in it, both teams were a bit long ball and the Maghull number 11 especially along with a couple of his team mates should maybe try and stay on their feet a bit more when they lose the ball. The first goal went to Ashton United and it was an excellent breakaway goal, the number 2 countered, ran 50 yards and spread the ball wide to his team mate. He kept going with his run into the box, received the ball back and finished with a composed side foot, really good play. Maghull were frustrated for long periods and it looked as if Ashton may do a job on them but I knew looking at the league table not to write Maghull off. Sure enough the equaliser came, a routine cross into the Ashton box and very unluckily as he tried to clear the defender at the front post instead sliced into his own net. Harsh but Maghull were now on top. They got the second in similar circumstances though a cross in and a finish at the back post this time, also from one of their own players too. After this they shut up shop and did everything they could to make things difficult and it worked. Ashton had no answers and Maghull spent an age towards the end of the match in either corner of the pitch running the clock down. It matters not though as they got the 3pts and at this stage of the season that's all that matters.

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