Cheadle Town 1-0 St Helens Town

Cheadle performed a little giant-killing act of their own today as they knocked out Div 1 St Helens Town in the FA Vase.

Despite the opening bustle of the first 20 minutes of the match, none of the teams managed a clear-cut chance. In fact it was Cheadle who came closest on that 20th minute mark when Arron Riley headed a cross tamely into the St Helens 'keeper's arms. Ten minutes later - and with Cheadle now enjoying the better passages of play - Michael Myers just failed to latch onto MacDonald's header across the penalty box.

Two minutes later and Cheadle were ahead. MacDonald, with the ball at his feet and 20 yards out, decided to fancy his chances and have a swing at the ball...the result of which was a lovely shot into the top-corner of the net. Half-time, 1-0 to Cheadle.

Make no mistake about it, Cheadle were put on the rack by St Helens Town for the majority of the second half, with the Saints forcing corner after corner and going uncomfortably close on occasions...such as the 60th minute when a Cheadle defender had to clear off the line and the 75th minute when Ben Roberts repeated the same defending feat.

Cheadle found the grit and determination to cling on for a back-to-back cup win, but not without giving Polardin and I a handful of nerve-wracking, cardiac-arrest moments!

Well done to the lads today for another great cup victory and for keeping Cup Month on the go. Now for the continuation of this good run of form into the league on Tuesday evening....

Photos from the day can be seen by clicking here (not many, I'm afraid)

TEAM: Atkinson, Heath, B Roberts, Cotterill, A Roberts, Brocklehurst, Riley (Martin), MacDonald (Smith), Lindon, Myers (Carpenter), Hussain. Subs: Carpenter, Smith, Martin

Saturday's Opponents: St Helens Town

The second chapter of Cup Month arrives in the form of a visit from Division One's St Helens Town on Saturday in the 1st Qualifying Round of the FA Vase.

I so want to avoid using a pedestrian statement like "not to be confused with the town's rugby league team" but it's hard not to, considering how both round and oval-shaped balls are kicked on the same pitch - Knowsley Road.

They were founded in 1903 where they joined the Lancashire Combination League as founder members of Division Two. They left this league in 1914 and were re-formed by local businessman George Fryer in 1946. Like Cheadle, they were one of the founder members of the NWCFL and, get this, can proudly boast that they are the only club to have remained in Div 1 for the entire history of the league.

We are privileged to play St Helens Town in the FA Vase as they are one of the very few NWCFL teams to have actually won it! Their moment of glory came in the 1986-87 season when they defeated local rivals Warrington Town 3-2 at Wembley Stadium...and that was after starting at the Extra-Preliminary Round stage; St Helens played 11 games in total to get to the final! No mean feat.

Oh, and legendary Manchester City goalkeeper Bert Trautmann started his career at St Helens Town!

Away from the history, I think it would be fair to say Cheadle have got another chance of cup progress tomorrow, being on home ground and all that...plus St Helens haven't made the best of starts in Div 1 (but to be fair to them they've only played three matches).

Come on Cheadle!