AUGUST REVIEW

MONTHLY 1st TEAM REVIEW – AUGUST 2017

Seven fixtures crammed into a 21-day period places significant stresses on any football club, never mind an amateur outfit whose participants have to juggle work and family demands to make themselves available for selection and training.

When you also consider that this is still holiday season for many people, players included, you can only sympathise with the pressures that managers like our own John Beavers are compelled to contend with.

Inevitably then, August saw plenty of highs and lows as a young Thornton Cleveleys FC (TCFC) side confronted a demanding and punishing schedule.

The month began and ended with clashes against Lancashire rivals Coppull United.

The opening day encounter saw TCFC come away from Springfield Road with a narrow 2-1 defeat. This game was the month on the road in microcosm; TCFC dominating the majority of the game but coming home empty handed.

The return fixture during the last weekend of the month delivered maximum revenge, TCFC dishing out a 7-1 thrashing.

In total, TCFC have won just 2 of their 7 games to-date but when they do triumph there are certainly no half measures as the mid-month 6-2 cakewalk at Southport Hesketh demonstrated.

Another highly credible result was the home draw with reigning champions Longridge Town whilst the 3 other defeats were tight affairs, a single goal defeat to local rivals Wren Rovers, a 2-1 loss away at Vickerstown and a 2-0 reverse at Fulwood.

As another indicator of how problematic midweek games are at this time of year, the Fulwood match was played in virtual darkness. At least that is my excuse for the mediocre match report which ensued although the more critical readers might be asking what my excuse is in respect of Saturday games.

The trip to Vickerstown, Barrow, provoked the most internal controversy; the hapless match reporter stating that Wilko had hit the woodwork with an early header much to the consternation of the true protagonist, Danny Stoney. I obviously cannot divulge my sources but any queries should be directed to John Beavers.

It was widely anticipated that this opening block of fixtures presented a challenging start to season 2017/18 for TCFC and that has certainly proved to be the case with just 7 points from a possible 21 leaving the club placed 11th in a 16 club West Lancashire League Premier Division.

However, with a seemingly less arduous run of games on the horizon, optimism remains high and the absence of any further exacting midweek games should certainly help matters.

Oliver Wilkinson has been the undoubted star this month with 8 goals from 6 games, having missed the opening match through suspension. His all-round performances have been highly impressive and he is proving to be the heart-beat of the side.

Not far behind Wilko in the player of the month stakes was 17 year old Joe Robinson. A massive talent and a superb passer of the ball he has rapidly become an influential member of the team and his goal in the 7-1 thrashing of Coppull at Bourne Park was arguably the best of the campaign so far.

Jake Walmsley and John Hay are forging an increasingly solid central defensive partnership whilst full backs Elliott Dickson, Stuart Dagger and Ryan Walmsley have also impressed.

Lewis Walmsley continues to progress nicely and has proved his versatility by vacating his customary midfield role to fill in at right full back when required.

Others to have featured on a regular basis have been the ever reliable Joel Durham, speedy forward Danny Stoney and striker Dom Lawson who notched a memorable hat-trick in the aforementioned Coppull win.

Captain Mark Smith has invariably excelled between the posts and must surely be the leading penalty saver in the league having foiled 3 spot kicks attempts from the 4 he has faced.

Manager John Beavers should be congratulated on formulating such a talented squad and allowing his young charges to express the full range of their talents. Prospects for the season appear very promising.

JB’s hard working better half, Joanne, deserves a special mention, having worked tirelessly on a variety of tasks in recent weeks. Thank you for your efforts Mrs B.

Please note that full details of 1st Team match results, team line ups, appearances and goal-scoring statistics, etc, can be found on the website under, oddly enough, “1st Team”.

But for those who can’t be arsed searching, a few facts and figures to finish on:-

• Playing record so far: Played 7, Won 2, Drawn 1, Lost 4, Points 7.

• Number of players to have appeared in every game so far = 4 (John Hay, Joe Robinson, Joel Durham and Lewis Walmsley).

• Number of players to have started all 7 games = 2 (Lewis Walmsley and John Hay)

• Number of players to get on scoresheet = 6 (plus an own goal).

• Goal-scorers have been Oliver Wilkinson 8 (3 penalties), Dom Lawson 3 and Luke Noble, Danny Stoney, Joe Robinson & Mike McAlpine with one apiece.

• In total, TCFC have scored 16 goals and conceded 11.

• TCFC have used 23 players so far.

• No red cards, not even for the gaffer who assures me he is a new man these days and a great admirer of match officials.

See you at the end of September.

PC