Altrincham Kersal 36-29 Kirkby Lonsdale

After last week’s defeat at the hands of Kendal they were keen to get a win at home to Kirkby. They started brightly and took the lead after two minutes through a Luscombe penalty, and they should’ve extended their lead through Coleman just seconds later but they failed to convert. The miss wouldn’t come back to bite them as they extended the lead, Dave Coleman was found out wide and he sprinted through to get a try and it was converted. Kersal continue to attack the Kirkby defence and it didn’t take them long to get another try, as an overhead pass picked out the runner who touched down for the second try. There was something of a turning point for Kirkby after that as they started to get back into the game and they responded with two tries of their own, one converted. Kersal once again took control of the game with two more tries of their own.  Harry Luscombe converted both and scored the second running under the posts leaving an easy conversion.

Half-Time Score: Kersal 29-12 Kirkby Lonsdale

Kirkby, obviously disappointed from their first half performance, went all out in the second. Their pressure led to many mis-placed passes from Kersal and the inevitable happened as Kirkby straight away got back into the game as a clearance was blocked by an incoming Kirkby player and little was left to do but get the try. After the converted try Kirkby

continuously attacked and got a try around 10 minutes later but failed to convert. In the dying minutes it had looked like Kirkby had got a draw from the game after equalising through the last minute try but that wasn’t the end of it. The last effort of the game Kersal found space out right and Dave Coleman surged through to win Kersal the game 36-29.

Full-Time Score: Kersal 36-29 Kirkby Lonsdale

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West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-2 Stockport Sports

In a midweek NWCFL fixture WD&C hosted Stockport Sports, and it was Sports which started with the early pressure with numerous chances to open the scoring they failed and in due course would be made to rue those missed chances. WD&C opened the scoring through Tre Baldwin-Willis as the long ball beats the last man and he headed home over the oncoming Alex Baird. The hosts continued their good spell with chances and against the run of play Stockport Sports equalised through Jamie Tandy. Stockport couldn't hold on for long as WD&C scored minutes later Baldwin-Willis scored his second as he slotted home after a great through ball which splitted the Sports defence.

 

Half-Time Score: West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-1 Stockport Sports

WD&C continued the good play in the second half, building much from the left wing and they were getting many set-pieces to threaten the Sports goal. To flick shots unluckily were off target and a effort late on for the home side was mightily close when the first shot was brilliantly saved and the second was tipped onto the post. That save would prove to be crucial as in the dying minutes Stockport Sports equalised as Jamie Tandy raced through, rounded the keeper and slotted home to give Sports an away point, and they may of left disappointed not to get all 3 points as after a shot across goal went just wide.

Full-Time Score: West Didsbury & Chorlton 2-2 Stockport Sports

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Stockport County 1-1 Leamington

Both new sides in the Skrill North but coming from different ends and it was the away side who took the lead after 3 minutes through Ricky Johnson as the County captain Keiran Charnock played a pass straight to Johnson and he slotted it home. County got back into the game through some good attacking play but passing mistakes stopped them really dominating a game they should be on top of. Iain Howard had a chance late on it the first half as the initial shot parried away and out wide Howard blasted the ball straight into the netting.

Half Time Score: Stockport County 0-1 Leamington

County made two substitutions in order to get back in to the game as they bought on Adrian Moke and Tunji Moses, the latter who would make a large impact on the attacking play. Early on Moke had a chance after a neat pass from Kristian Dennis but he shot over the bar. It was County who were constantly attacking the visitors net but they were getting frustrated to some time-wasting from Leamington. County did get the goal they deserved as Kyle Jacobs crossed for Phil Jevons who put the ball away. Stockport failed to get a winner and it ended all-square.

Full-Time Score: Stockport County 1-1 Leamington

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Maine Road 1-1 Stockport Sports

Maine Road hosted Stockport Sports in the NWCFL Premier Division. The home side currently sit top of the league were hoping to extend their run. The First half was open with chances from both sides. Stockport Sports had many crosses into the box but failing to convert. It was Maine Road who made the breakthrough as a backpass deflected of Ricky Anane allowing the Striker to run through and slot home. The away side failed to level before half-time and Maine Road led 1-0.

 

Half-Time Score: Maine Road 1-0 Stockport Sports.

Stockport Sports started the second half brightly building much of their play up the right and they were able to control the match for large parts of the match; and It was Stockport who took advantage to equalize with a 30 yard low strike from Matty Tierney which Steve Foster helped into the corner. Neither side could take their chances late on and it ended all square.

 

Full-Time Score: Maine Road 1-1 Stockport Sports

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'Away Chips' Report

Altrincham Kersal RFC 17-6 Carlisle RFC

Altrincham Kersal opened their season as they ended the last with a confident win over Carlisle. It was the visitors who made the early pressing and scuffed an early penalty chance; and they were made to rue the missed chance as Kersal pressed on the Carlisle defence. Their pressure paid off as as Harry Luscombe scored two penalties to give Kersal a 6-0 lead. Carlisle got back into the game immediately through the boot of Barry Earl. Kersal’s best scoring chance came late into the half as Dave Coleman kicked a through ball but he failed to make the first touch.

Half-Time Score: Altrincham Kersal 6-3 Carlisle

Kersal started the second half strongly and they scored the only try of the game as James Coulson found space out wide and run through to score, the try converted by Luscombe. Carlisle scored a penalty to give them a fighting chance. The second half was end to end however it was marred by an injury to a Carlisle player which delayed the game 30 minutes. The game was moved to an adjacent pitch and an Ambulance was called. When play resumed Luscombe scored another penalty to open Kersal’s league account with a win.

Full-Time Score: Altrincham Kersal 17-6 Carlisle

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West Didsbury & Chorlton 0-3 Burscough

NWCFL Premier Division side West Didsbury & Chorlton hosted Northern Premier side Burscough in the FA Cup. The home side started brightly with a few chances but it was always going to be an uphill struggle as the home side failed to convert it opened the game for the visitors and It wasn’t long into the game when they took the lead through a mix-up in the box and it was Jordan Williams with the goal. 0-1. The home side tried to press for an equaliser and showed constant threat on the left wing but finishing was a problem for them with their league campaign getting off to a shaky start.

 

Half-Time Score: WD&C 0-1 Burscough

The second half started with the away side continued their good work  but the game didn’t really throw up many chances in the second half with both team struggling to press into the opponents third. After some changes, Burscough extended  their lead through Clarke and the game was put beyond doubt.  And it 3-0 when Clarke through Mark Beesley who finishes easily.

Full-Time Score: WD&C 0-3 Burscough

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Stadium Pictures

'Away Chips' Report