SEASON BY SEASON 2 of 7

2. 2005/06


The beginning of season two saw the merging of the Formers League into one division. It also saw Woodstreet move home to the Milbank Playing Fields in Tuebrook.

The close season saw a trip to Hull to take on Hedon United, a game organised through the connections of Wayne Lewis. This was somewhat of a step into the unknown as Hedon United were comparatively of a standard several divisions above Woodstreet. After a tight first half, Hedon ran out victors 5-2 but it was nevertheless a useful trip.

This season would see a big influx of youth into the ranks. Naturally it would take time for the youth to gain experience and in the first half of the season, this could be partially reflected in the results.

Five 16 year olds featured during the course of the season. Steven Caffrey, Joseph Brierley, Paul Pieroni, Mark Rooney and Theo Hudson had good runs in the side. On April 9th 2006, Joseph was captain for the league game against Mossley Hill. In doing so, he became the youngest player to hold the captaincy for Woodstreet.

The summer of 2005 had also seen the demise of Liverpool Supporters Club as a team and as part of the Woodstreet rebuilding process, the club acted in good faith in taking on a significant chunk of the clubless players.

However, such a charitable move was not repaid in kind. The players, who were no great shakers, turned out for the club for the first two months and after that did not bother turning up.

The second half of the season saw a small up-turn in results. A notable mention should be made for the contributions of Mark Sutton and Joseph Brierley - Mark in his tenacity in his midfield displays and Joseph for his goal return and scruff of the neck-like approach.

The Warrenhouse Playing Fields on a late Sunday in March was the scene for the game of the season as Woodstreet travelled to Kirkby to take on runaway league leaders, Mariners.

Mariners had won every game at home and all bar one away from home. The average goal haul Mariners were achieving per game was NINE!

Due to injuries and other enforced absences, Woodstreet took to the pitch with what appeared to be a makeshift eleven with one sub on the line.

Playing a 4-5-1 formation, the opening period of the game saw Woodstreet enjoy significant possession. However, a freak goal where Mariners scored straight from a corner put the hosts 1-0 up. The boys responded with increased vigour and after some initial weaving through the midfield, Mark Sutton released Ian McNally to break from the half-way line and coolly slot home from the edge of the penalty area to level the scoreline.

Mariners responded with two quickfire goals to go 3-1 up. With half-time approaching, a Joseph Brierley chipped pass from the centre-circle to Michael Brierley on the edge of the penalty area saw the ball lobbed left-footed into the goal to make the score 3-2.

The second half saw exchanges up until around the 75 minute mark. A Woodstreet attack was crudely broken up 35 yards from goal in a central position. Joseph Brierley stepped up and curled a superb free-kick into the top left corner to level the game at 3-3.

Mariners in turn attempted to crank up the pressure and in the 85th minute capitalised on a loose ball from a corner to make it 4-3.

The lads were not beaten yet. Mariners had another corner which John Pielow claimed and immediately looked to start an attack. Joseph had broken immediately to attack the long ball from JP when the opposing centre-half sliced his clearance. Joseph, hovering slightly right of centre, didn't allow the ball to bounce and beautifully delivered a 35 yard volley into the back of the Mariners net to secure a 4-4 draw deep into injury time.

That season, Woodstreet were the only team to take any points from Mariners on their home pitch.