Wednesday evening presented an opportunity to visit a ground that had long been on my list, Bacup Borough. The 350-mile round trip from home had always posed something of a problem. However, week-long business meeting in Rochdale meant that I just happened to be less than 10 miles away and, what's more, Bacup were at home on Wednesday evening. So, passing up the chance of free food and booze, I slipped away from the hotel and headed up into the South Pennines for an evening of North-West Counties football.
Bacup's visitors on Tuesday, Fulwood Amateur, whilst being a long established team in West Lancashire, were playing at Step 6 for the first time in their long history. They'd made a pretty good start to life in the new league, winning three of their first seven games and sitting juts a point outside the play-offs. They had won their last two league games against Kendal Town and MSB Woolton, but had gone out of the Macron Cup on penalties to Nelson last time out. Bacup's start had not been so good. They began the evening just above the drop zone having lost two of their last three. However, a 1-0 win at high-flying Maine Road last time out suggested they were getting back to some form. They too had gone out of the Macron Cup on penalties, after a 0-0 draw with AFC Blackpool.
Bacup's visitors on Tuesday, Fulwood Amateur, whilst being a long established team in West Lancashire, were playing at Step 6 for the first time in their long history. They'd made a pretty good start to life in the new league, winning three of their first seven games and sitting juts a point outside the play-offs. They had won their last two league games against Kendal Town and MSB Woolton, but had gone out of the Macron Cup on penalties to Nelson last time out. Bacup's start had not been so good. They began the evening just above the drop zone having lost two of their last three. However, a 1-0 win at high-flying Maine Road last time out suggested they were getting back to some form. They too had gone out of the Macron Cup on penalties, after a 0-0 draw with AFC Blackpool.
Siddle scores from the spot Fulwood, in blue, were kicking towards the clubhouse end in the first half and, after an initial bout of sparring, appeared to settle into the game better than their hosts. They had the first real effort of note when Owen Wilkinson drew a good save from Billy Blake in the 11th minute. However, that was their opportunity and pretty soon afterwards they found themselves a goal down after Bacup's big, bustling centre-forward Paul Sholobi, was clipped in the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot, despite the protests from the Ams players and bench. Kyle Siddle stepped up to drill the spot kick home. 1-0
The goal almost sparked an instant response from Fulwood, who broke up the left and, when the ensuing cross was knocked down, Wilkinson got off a strike, but sent it straight into the arms of Blake. A few minutes later, they came even closer. Left-back Theodore Ball curled a lovely free-kick over the wall only to see it crash against the cross bar. The resulting scramble in the box saw the ball cleared off the line before the home side managed to get it clear.
Spencer Lucas was next to get a chance for Fulwood. Sent clear, one on one with Blake, the home goalkeeper came out on top. That was almost a double whammy for Ams, because Bacup broke straight up the other end and, when Kyle Siddle went down under pressure in the box, the home fans were baying for another penalty. This time, referee Lee Corns, was unimpressed, waving away the claims. Borough need not have worried to much though. A minute later they were two up when Oliver Hodgson was sent clear of the visitor's defence. He stroked the ball confidently past Jacob Barry for 2-0.
Two goals to the good, Bacup were now in the ascendancy and Fulwood appeared to be rocked. When Connor Morris fizzed another effort on target after 31 minutes, Barry did well to parry the shot clear. No-one would have been surprised if Borough had increased their lead before the break. However, Fulwood were having none of that. With six minutes of normal time remaining, they were back in it. Good work down the left presented Ball with a crossing opportunity. His ball into the box was perfect for Owen Wilkinson, who glanced a header past Blake. 2-1
Ams would have been very happy to get back inti the changing room with the score at 2-1 but their hopes were dashed on the stroke of half-time after Bacup earned a corner on the right. The ball was delivered towards the back post where Jacob May rose highest to power a header past Barry. 3-1
HT Bacup Borough 3 Fulwood Amateur 1. A deserved lead for Bacup at the break. Whilst they certainly hadn't dominated the ball, they took their chances well when presented with them and defended well when required. Getting the third goal just before the break may well have taken more wind out of Fulwood's sails.
The goal almost sparked an instant response from Fulwood, who broke up the left and, when the ensuing cross was knocked down, Wilkinson got off a strike, but sent it straight into the arms of Blake. A few minutes later, they came even closer. Left-back Theodore Ball curled a lovely free-kick over the wall only to see it crash against the cross bar. The resulting scramble in the box saw the ball cleared off the line before the home side managed to get it clear.
Spencer Lucas was next to get a chance for Fulwood. Sent clear, one on one with Blake, the home goalkeeper came out on top. That was almost a double whammy for Ams, because Bacup broke straight up the other end and, when Kyle Siddle went down under pressure in the box, the home fans were baying for another penalty. This time, referee Lee Corns, was unimpressed, waving away the claims. Borough need not have worried to much though. A minute later they were two up when Oliver Hodgson was sent clear of the visitor's defence. He stroked the ball confidently past Jacob Barry for 2-0.
Two goals to the good, Bacup were now in the ascendancy and Fulwood appeared to be rocked. When Connor Morris fizzed another effort on target after 31 minutes, Barry did well to parry the shot clear. No-one would have been surprised if Borough had increased their lead before the break. However, Fulwood were having none of that. With six minutes of normal time remaining, they were back in it. Good work down the left presented Ball with a crossing opportunity. His ball into the box was perfect for Owen Wilkinson, who glanced a header past Blake. 2-1
Ams would have been very happy to get back inti the changing room with the score at 2-1 but their hopes were dashed on the stroke of half-time after Bacup earned a corner on the right. The ball was delivered towards the back post where Jacob May rose highest to power a header past Barry. 3-1
HT Bacup Borough 3 Fulwood Amateur 1. A deserved lead for Bacup at the break. Whilst they certainly hadn't dominated the ball, they took their chances well when presented with them and defended well when required. Getting the third goal just before the break may well have taken more wind out of Fulwood's sails.
Ball (No.3) hits the bar from a free-kick It felt as if there was an increased urgency from both sides at the start of the second half. Maybe just perception, but the tackles seemed to be getting more vigorous and tempers were beginning to fray a little at times. However, any hopes that Fulwood had of getting back into the game, were further dashed just before the hour. A hopeful ball lofted into the visitor's box was just the feed that Paul Sholobi wanted. He leapt into the challenge with Barry, beating the keeper to the ball and sending his header into the net. 4-1.
The game may well be slipping away from Fulwood, but they weren't quite ready to throw in the towel. Just past the hour mark an acrobatic overhead kick from Wilkinson brought an equally acrobatic save from Blake, as the visitors attempted to get back within striking range. Of course, pushing for a goal left them more vulnerable at the back and, after 67 minutes, the home side effectively sealed the points. Siddle chased down a through ball, arriving simultaneously with Jacob Barry, who had raced off his line. The ball popped out of the challenge, falling into the path of Connor Morris, who accepted the gift, sending the ball into an empty net. 5-1
Credit to Fulwood though. They still didn't give up. In fact, it's fair to say that they were the better team for the final ten minutes or so. Lucas missed a golden opportunity to get one back on 80 minutes, losing out in a duel with Blake again. There were also a series of last ditch blocks from the home defence. Real bodies on the line stuff as they closed the game out. However with 6 minutes plus stoppage time to go, Ams did get a consolation when they were awarded a penalty. Spencer Lucas drilled the ball past Blake to make it 5-2.
Fulwood were in a hurry to get the game back under way but, it was a case of too little, too late for them.
FT Bacup Borough 5 Fulwood Amateur 2. From a neutral perspective, a thoroughly enjoyable evening of football. Two very committed teams who, despite the final score, were really not too far apart. Bacup were the better team on the evening, but Fulwood showed more than enough to suggest that they are comfortable playing at this level.
On Saturday both are in league action away from home. Borough make the trip to bottom side Ashton Athletic who, after winning their opening game, have now lost their last six on the bounce. Meanwhile, Fulwood are off to the seaside as they face Blackpool-based Squires Gate, who are currently two points above the drop zone.
Bacup Borough: Blake, Langley, Boardman, May, Fallon(c), Hewitt, K.Siddle, R.Siddle, Sholobi, Morris, Hodgson. Subs: Mellor, Hayward, Walne, Thompson, Lancaster
Fulwood Amateur: Barry, Jackson, Ball, Imadiyiosatohanmwen, Braithwait(c), Wallbank, Bell, Rimmer, Lucas, Watkinson, Rickerby. Subs: Botes, Kinkela, MacDonald, Steele, Wignall
The game may well be slipping away from Fulwood, but they weren't quite ready to throw in the towel. Just past the hour mark an acrobatic overhead kick from Wilkinson brought an equally acrobatic save from Blake, as the visitors attempted to get back within striking range. Of course, pushing for a goal left them more vulnerable at the back and, after 67 minutes, the home side effectively sealed the points. Siddle chased down a through ball, arriving simultaneously with Jacob Barry, who had raced off his line. The ball popped out of the challenge, falling into the path of Connor Morris, who accepted the gift, sending the ball into an empty net. 5-1
Credit to Fulwood though. They still didn't give up. In fact, it's fair to say that they were the better team for the final ten minutes or so. Lucas missed a golden opportunity to get one back on 80 minutes, losing out in a duel with Blake again. There were also a series of last ditch blocks from the home defence. Real bodies on the line stuff as they closed the game out. However with 6 minutes plus stoppage time to go, Ams did get a consolation when they were awarded a penalty. Spencer Lucas drilled the ball past Blake to make it 5-2.
Fulwood were in a hurry to get the game back under way but, it was a case of too little, too late for them.
FT Bacup Borough 5 Fulwood Amateur 2. From a neutral perspective, a thoroughly enjoyable evening of football. Two very committed teams who, despite the final score, were really not too far apart. Bacup were the better team on the evening, but Fulwood showed more than enough to suggest that they are comfortable playing at this level.
On Saturday both are in league action away from home. Borough make the trip to bottom side Ashton Athletic who, after winning their opening game, have now lost their last six on the bounce. Meanwhile, Fulwood are off to the seaside as they face Blackpool-based Squires Gate, who are currently two points above the drop zone.
Bacup Borough: Blake, Langley, Boardman, May, Fallon(c), Hewitt, K.Siddle, R.Siddle, Sholobi, Morris, Hodgson. Subs: Mellor, Hayward, Walne, Thompson, Lancaster
Fulwood Amateur: Barry, Jackson, Ball, Imadiyiosatohanmwen, Braithwait(c), Wallbank, Bell, Rimmer, Lucas, Watkinson, Rickerby. Subs: Botes, Kinkela, MacDonald, Steele, Wignall
The Brian Boys Stadium
The Ground
The Brian Boys Stadium is situated in the North-East corner of Bacup, almost at the end of the interestingly named Cowtoot Lane. Hemmed in on three sides by housing, but with open countryside on the far side, it feels like a non-league ground should feel. One thing you need to know if visiting is that parking is extremely limited at the ground. Cowtoot Lane is also quite narrow and, as it is residential, is already busy. However, there are plenty of parking spots available in the surrounding streets. Access into the ground is through a turnstile set back from Cowtoot Lane. It brigs you into the corner of the ground with the new clubhouse, raised above pitch level, off to your right, behind the goal. There are two stands, one on either side. Both look to have been around for a long time. The main stand, to your left as you enter, set behind the dugouts, is a covered seating area. The opposite stand has seats and covered standing. Actually, this appears to be two separate structures that are next to each other. The pitch slopes across the playing surface rather than lengthways, from the open countryside back down towards the main stand. The majority of the pitch is surrounded by a cement block wall. In light of recent tragic events, I wondered if there may be plans to replace this at some point. There already appears to be planned work around the ground. Aside from the new very smart clubhouse, there are signs of work popping up at the opposite end of the ground too. The ground could do with a little spruce up, but I hope it isn't changed too much. It's atmospheric as it stands. A wonderful old ground that should be preserved. I'd wanted to visit for some time and, I'm pleased to say, it did not disappoint.
The Programme
At 32 full-colour pages, the match day programme is one of the heftier tomes you get at this level. There articles, aside from the usual advertising pages, including a two-page welcome message from 1st team boss Bent Peters, two pages of information about the evening's opponents, some player profiles and a round-up of the there North-West Counties divisions. All that for £2.00. Note that my copy was not stapled. I'm not sure if this applies to all copies.
Ground Number: 464
Att: 123
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £2.00
The Brian Boys Stadium is situated in the North-East corner of Bacup, almost at the end of the interestingly named Cowtoot Lane. Hemmed in on three sides by housing, but with open countryside on the far side, it feels like a non-league ground should feel. One thing you need to know if visiting is that parking is extremely limited at the ground. Cowtoot Lane is also quite narrow and, as it is residential, is already busy. However, there are plenty of parking spots available in the surrounding streets. Access into the ground is through a turnstile set back from Cowtoot Lane. It brigs you into the corner of the ground with the new clubhouse, raised above pitch level, off to your right, behind the goal. There are two stands, one on either side. Both look to have been around for a long time. The main stand, to your left as you enter, set behind the dugouts, is a covered seating area. The opposite stand has seats and covered standing. Actually, this appears to be two separate structures that are next to each other. The pitch slopes across the playing surface rather than lengthways, from the open countryside back down towards the main stand. The majority of the pitch is surrounded by a cement block wall. In light of recent tragic events, I wondered if there may be plans to replace this at some point. There already appears to be planned work around the ground. Aside from the new very smart clubhouse, there are signs of work popping up at the opposite end of the ground too. The ground could do with a little spruce up, but I hope it isn't changed too much. It's atmospheric as it stands. A wonderful old ground that should be preserved. I'd wanted to visit for some time and, I'm pleased to say, it did not disappoint.
The Programme
At 32 full-colour pages, the match day programme is one of the heftier tomes you get at this level. There articles, aside from the usual advertising pages, including a two-page welcome message from 1st team boss Bent Peters, two pages of information about the evening's opponents, some player profiles and a round-up of the there North-West Counties divisions. All that for £2.00. Note that my copy was not stapled. I'm not sure if this applies to all copies.
Ground Number: 464
Att: 123
Entrance: £7.00
Programme: £2.00
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