Thornton Cleveleys FC

 A midweek trip to the Fylde Coast, saw me arrive early morning and spend the day in Blackpool, my spiritual home from many happy days as a youngster spent there. Parking was found near Coral Island where we went for breakfast which was a very decent offering. After spending a small fortune in the amusements attempting to win a soft toy we took a walk along the sea front to the South Pier and back before Fish and Chips in Harry Ramsdens at the Tower. A short drive up the coast to Cleveleys saw us pass the legendary Blackpool Illuminations however sadly they don't seem to be as good as they once were in that there isn't half as many of them. I had intended to do this ground last season on the ground hop weekend, however the officials ridiculously called the game off that day, costing the club a lot financially, so I was glad to put a bit back into the club so soon after. 

Cleveleys ground boasts ample car parking and very modern bar facilities with food catering available if you haven't already eaten, we had a pasty a piece from the excellent B's bakery for tea so more food wasn't needed. Pin badges were available on the gate, the game was in the Lancashire Challenge Cup first round and the opposition were higher league in the form of Ramsbottom. A decent number of away fans made for a healthy crowd of 130.

Cleveleys made a fast start and stunned their higher placed opponents, an excellent 25 yard screamer made it 1.0 after seven minutes before they made it 2.0 four minutes later following good build up play. Ramsbottom were stunned but calmed down and started to show their quality, a good free kick from the left was met by an equally good header to pull a goal back on 16 minutes, this game had goals written all over it. Seven minutes before the break a good ball sprayed out to the right then a fierce cross in was met by the striker who slid in and had the simple task of poking the ball home, such was the quality of the delivery, two all and game on. Plucky Cleveleys were not done yet though and in added on time before the interval they came forward down the left with a good finish low into the bottom corner, excellent fight shown by the home side after being under the cosh, 3.2 at half time.

Ramsbottom came out once more looking like they meant business, hitting the bar from a header in the 51st minute. Cleveleys held firm until ten minutes from time, a long ball forward caught the defence out and a cool finish made it 3.3, penalties looming. However with five minutes left on the clock a free kick was met by a slight flick and Ramsbottom were 4.3 ahead, it looked as if they were heading into the next round but Cleveleys just don't know when to give up and two minutes later an excellent cross from the left was met at the far post and stroked into the net for four all, once more, penalties looming.

Indeed we did go to penalties, much to the delight of the youths behind the goal, Cleveleys skied their first penalty and Ramsbottom hit the bar with their third penalty making it 2.2 after three penalties each, the third Cleveleys penalty was oh so nearly saved but the keeper appeared to somehow let go of it after initially looking to have saved it, the tension was mounting. The next four penalties were all scored, taking the shootout to sudden death, with Ramsbottom hitting the outside of the post and missing, Cleveleys scored to advance into the next round to the delight of the home contingent.