Saturday's Opponents: Maine Road

Maine Road the football stadium may not exist anymore but there's still a little bit of Manchester City FC's history in Manchester in the shape of Maine Road FC.

The link between the Chorlton-cum-Hardy-based club and the blue side of the city's Premiership divide doesn't stop at the name, either. Maine Road FC were formed as 'City Supporters Rusholme FC' in 1955, starting off in the local Rusholme Sunday League.

The Manchester League - and with it Saturday football - followed towards the late 1970s with the club moving to its current home of Brantingham Road (also the headquarters of the Manchester FA) in 1980. It was this period that brought the Manchester League championship for four years on-the-trot, with its eventual reward for the 1987-88 season when Maine Road FC stepped up a level and joined the NWCFL Division Two.

It didn't take them long to make a further step as within three seasons (after finishing 5th, 2nd and then 1st) they won promotion to Div 1. They have been one rung higher than Cheadle ever since, bar two short-lived seasons (2002-04) back in Div 2.

They come to Park Road in rude health. Despite them being 10 points off the Div 1 promotion places (assuming two go up), they are in 5th place, so they are a team not to be sniffed at. Mind you, Cheadle have made a rather handy habit of knocking out Div 1 opposition in cup competitions this season...and oafter the frustration and disappointment of last Saturday's result at Holker, it would be the perfect filip.

The match report (and photos) for this match will not be on here until Monday evening, possibly Tuesday morning, so if Cheadle go and manage yet another Div 1 scalp, you might just have to wait for the story!

Come on Cheadle!