Charnock started off their Goldline Trophy campaign with a convincing 7-0 victory at Atherton Town. The Charnock goals came from David Burrows(3), George Craddock(2), Carl Grimshaw and Chris Robinson.
Atherton Town 0 Charnock Richard 7 (Goldline Trophy Grp 4)
Wednesday 21st July 2010, Goldline Trophy Group 4.
The Goldline Trophy competition is run on similar lines to the World Cup Finals with three group games in the initial stages and it is important, although not vital, that you win your first game. Last season at this stage Charnock lost at home to Hindsford, they went on to win their two other group games but failed to win the group and had to play their quarter-final at Atherton Collieries. The Villagers made no mistakes against Atherton Town, a Manchester League side at the same Step 7 level as Charnock. They totally dominated the game from the first whistle to the last and the score line could have been even more decisive but for some vital saves from the home keeper. Three goals up at half time it was a case of seeing how many Charnock could score playing with the slope in the second half, the answer was four as they maintain their dominance even when they introduced their four substitutes.
The days preceding the game had seen some heavy downpours but any doubts that supporters may have had regarding the pitch were unfounded, the grass was perhaps a little long but there was no problem with waterlogging. Charnock had two players making their debuts, David Burrows from Turton and Tom Morgan. Mike Fletcher, who was previously with Coppull United, had appeared for Charnock back in the year 2000.
Charnock started the game playing uphill with the sun out on a pleasant summer evening. There were approximately 45 spectators with again a good following from Charnock. There was a couple of opening attacks from the home side before Charnock really settled down to take charge and take charge they did, dominating the possession. With Battersby, Banks and Hayton looking solid at the back and Mike Fletcher running everything in midfield some excellent chances were made for the two front runners, David Burrows and Carl Grimshaw. Dashti and Robinson, playing at wing back, were able to concentrate on their attacking duties rather than defending as the home midfield funnelled back to try and contain Charnock. Andy Roberts, still going strong although he is moving into the veteran stage of his career, and David Prout,with his silky ability to go past players, left the home players chasing shadows at times. Grimshaw had already had a couple of chances before David Burrows opened the scoring on six minutes. Grimshaw won a header from a long clearance and BURROWS went clear to score with a cross shot into the far corner of the goal. Charnock never looked back from taking this early lead and there were several good chances missed before a long ball over the top on 19 minutes from Andy Battersby released CARL GRIMSHAW and he went clear to beat the advancing keeper. Damian Dashti was getting plenty of room down the right but several times he delayed his centres for too long and the opportunities came to nothing. Charnock made the score 3-0 three minutes before the break. CHRIS ROBINSON went on a jinxing run into the area, it looked as if his route to goal was blocked but he twisted and sidestepped the defenders and beat the keeper from eight yards. Kevin Baldwin then saved Andy Battersby’s blushes when a superb reflex save saw him palm away a header from Andy that was goalbound.
Kicking downhill in the second half Charnock went on to add the expected further goals. Atherton resumed with a little more effort but that soon dissipated particularly when, after 50 minutes Grimshaw got down to the bye-line and DAVID BURROWS turned his low cross home from close in. Obviously wanting his players to gain as much match time as possible Andy Westwell started fielding his substitutes but this did not affect Charnock’s performance one iota. In fact Jackson came on to set up two goals with a lively performance down the left. Firstly, after he drifted onto the edge of the area in the 70th minute, his reverse pass set up BURROWS who went on to beat the advancing keeper to complete his hat-trick. Phil then broke forward, on 76 minutes, to see his powerful shot saved by the keeper who could not hang onto the ball and substitute GEORGE CRADDOCK was on hand to hit the ball into the empty net. Two of the substitutes then worked together to score Charnock’s seventh and final goal after 83 minutes. Sanderson got down the left and his powerful low centre was turned home by CRADDOCK. The final minutes of the game were played in a thunderstorm as the heavy clouds that had been gathering finally delivered rain in torrents.
It had been a great result for Charnock as they saw all their pre-season hard work coming together in a satisfying performance. The whole balance of the side looked right and with the substitutes performing so well and with several players in the squad not available for this game there is plenty of room for optimism for the coming season. However, one swallow does not make a summer and one victory at the start of the season does not mean that success is guaranteed. All you can do is try to win each match as it comes.
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