2012 Prediction League; Just for Fun - Game 3; v AFC Fylde, FA Cup Round 1 (away)

Div3North · 29-10-2012, 00:29

AFC Fylde

V

Accrington Stanley

2012 Prediction League – Just for Fun; v AFC Fylde (away) – FA Cup 1st Round

To the sounds of Match of the Day circa 1962, and with commentary by Kenneth Wolstenholme

– the only man who could make “Newcastle” sound foreign

– the FA Cup is back!

AFC Fylde – whose game against us on 24th July 2012 we will forget, thank you

(our team being from our “Development Squad” (at least, that’s what it says now …..

)) – were formed from a merger of Kirkham FC and Wesham FC, who became, very originally, Kirkham and Wesham FC. In that guise they won the West Lancashire League 7 times in 8 years, eventually being accepted into the North West Counties League Division 2 – winning automatic promotion in their first year. Progressing through the Leagues, and changing their name at the end of 2007 – 8 season to AFC Fylde, they now play in the nattily-named “Evo Stik Northern Premier League Premier Division”

where they currently lie 9th, having 21 points from their 11 games played (they keep having to postpone games because they’re winning Cup games (or replaying)), their record being 6 wins, 3 draws and two defeats (with games in hand over the 8 sides above them ….)

They won the FA Vase (as Kirkham and Wesham) in 2007/8, beating Lowestoft Town 2-1 at Wembley; for most of the game they were behind, but two goals in 6 minutes from 17 year old Matt Walwyn (son of ex Blackpool player Keith) won them the trophy – Walwyn only actually being on the pitch for 11 minutes all told

…………………. He went on to play for Chorley, and then signed for Northwich Vics, playing one game (21st August 2012, scoring twice in a 5-0 win over Sutton Coldfield Town) and then promptly signing for Droylsden in the BS North.

They’re a free-scoring side at their level – they’ve already recorded wins by 5-0, 4-1 (twice, including Chorley away), 4-2 (over FC United of Manchester

), 4-3, 3-1 and 3-0. Oh, and 6-0

. But we don’t talk about that

. Leading scorers are Michael Barnes (ex Man U) with 10, Adam Farrell (ex Kendal Town) with 6 in his last 4 games, Jack Dorney, formerly of Bury, Leigh Genesis and Chorley (also with 6), and Richie Allen, on loan from Fleetwood, with 5. They aren’t mugs, and it would be a bad mistake to think that this is going to be an easy game ……………

What it will do, without much doubt, is substantially increase their highest ever attendance at their present ground (currently 1412).

They’re turning into Cup specialists this season, having got to Round 1 Proper by beating Ramsbottom Utd 3-1, Bishop Auckland (there’s a name to conjure with

) 2-1 away, Solihull Moors 4-1 and Ilkeston Town 1-0 after a replay; they’re still in the FA Trophy (they replay on Tuesday – another postponed League game!), and – just to demonstrate the glamour of the Cups – three days after playing us, they play in the Lancs FA Challenge Trophy against the delightfully named Atherton Laburnum Rovers (“Come on you Laburnums!”

)

Just for fun, this, as you know; gives my mate Chimer a week off. By the way, I’m told the player to watch at Fylde is Joe Booth in midfield – a free-kick expert who got 19 last season and is a helluva player. I have that on the good authority of his Mum, who works at the same place as me ………….

No prizes for this, as you know (just kudos – which is like karma, but a bit more Greek

). Entries, please, by scheduled kick-off time, which is 3.00pm on Saturday 3rd November.

Stanley for the Cup! Come on Team Leam!

(incidentally – is that to be pronounced “Teem Leem”, or “Tea-Am Leam” ?)