Brantingham Road, home of Maine Road FC based in Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester and play their trade in Step 6 of the non league pyramid in the North West Counties League Division One South. Formed in 1955 by Manchester City fans in the local area and play in the traditional “Sky Blue” of Manchester City.
It’s Cheadle Town who are the visitors to Brantingham Road tonight! Let’s hope it’s a cracker! Off to Sheffield Station for the trip to Manchester Piccadilly, and now for the metro to Chorlton. A 10 minute walk later and here I am! £5 to watch this Manchester based tie! Bingo!
Kick Off! 10 minutes in and Cheadle give the ball away cheaply on the edge of their own box… Maine road’s number 9 runs onto it… The Cheadle defender gets there but it comes to number 10 who shoots… Over… A late clip on him after the shot sees him go down… Nothing given by the Referee.
11 minutes now and Cheadle come forward, the ball is played through and Cheadle get into the box… A silly challenge by the Maine Road defender… Cheadle screaming at the Referee… He’s pointed to the spot! I agree there! It’s number 9 to step up… He scores!!! 80 games without a 0-0 for me now!!! And Cheadle take the lead here!!
16th minute now and Maine road play a long ball forward, number 9 runs onto it, he’s onside and he shoots… keeper saves!
19 minutes on the clock and Maine road come forward down the right, Cheadle defender slides in and… He’s took out his own man… Here’s number 11 for Maine road on the right, he pulls it back for number 8 on the edge, played back out to the right, crossed in and here’s number 3 at the back post… He skies it.
Great to bump into Dave from Macclesfield who I’ve come across in the Hope Valley League! The best part of the hobby!! Both teams having a fair share of possession here now and it’s a fairly even contest but no real chances at the moment. 35th minute and Maine road come forward, played out to the right, crossed in, number 10 stretches for it… He doesn’t get there, it’s not cleared yet and the Cheadle defence hesitates… Maine road’s number 3 runs in… He’s hit the post! Cheadle clear! The Cheadle players screaming at each other for that and rightly so!! At half time the score remained 0-1.
Second half, 51 minutes on the watch and Cheadle play forward, a chipped through ball finds number 11 in the box, he goes for the lob…No! It’s not high enough and the keeper gets a hand to it.
54th minute now and Maine road’s number 8 gets the ball in his own half, he goes on a run at the Cheadle players now! Oh it’s a wonderful run! He gets to the edge of the box and he shoots… Good save! Cheadle clear. What a goal that would have been!!
56 minutes now and it’s a corner for Cheadle, in it comes… Number 9 with the header… Fantastic save by the keeper! Cheadle fans thought it was in but it’s not and Maine road clear.
Right on the hour mark now and Cheadle come forward but some clever defending sees Maine Road clear and win a Goal Kick… But the Referee has given a corner for Cheadle… Poor decision! In comes the Cheadle corner… It’s headed forward but wide and Maine Road can clear but Cheadle’ number 6 runs in for it… He’s beaten the defender to it and he’s brought down… Must be! It is another Penalty! Maine Road can feel hard done by there… Definite foul, but it shouldn’t have been a corner to start with! It’s number 9 again… He’s scored again! 0-2! Maine Road furious!
Can Maine Road mount a fight back here tonight? 72 minutes and they have a corner, in it comes… Number 8 free header… straight at the keeper! 74th minute and Maine road come down the right, lumped in to the box, it’s high in the air… Maine road’s number 9 wins the header… OH! It’s just wide… So close!
Maine Road taking the game to Cheadle now but Cheadle looking too strong in defence and looking like they will see this game out. 89th minute and Maine road get the ball on the right, crossed in towards the far post, number 10 brings it down and shoots… straight at the keeper! Should have done better there! Maine Road continue to press but would not break down Cheadle in the end.
FT: Maine Road 0-2 Cheadle Town
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 1/10 – There was a fair few in tonight but no real noise from anyone sadly.
- The Ground: 4.5/10 – I quite like this ground! It’s a proper old school non league ground with bags of character! 2 stands and a little backdrop of Manchester City Centre from one end, it does lack in the facilities department though…
- Expense: 10/10 – £5 to see a decent competitive game here tonight! Cheers!
- Overall Experience – 7/10 – I enjoyed the game and night out overall! Great to see Dave from Macclesfield again whom I met previously at Hathersage and Buxworth! A good time and I’m glad I visited!
22.5/40