Aldermere v Elton Lib Hargreaves

2pm  12 December 2020

Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League, Division Three
Aldermere 2 Elton Lib Hargreaves 1 (att 15)

Amateur clubs come and go rapidly these days but it's worth noting, and celebrating, that Aldermere FC have a long history. The club badge says 1906, which I'm assuming is when they began, and they first played in the Lancashire and Cheshire Amateur League well over a century ago.

In the two years since I saw them lose a league cup tie Aldermere have moved a short distance, from Flixton Park to Urmston Sports Club. In fact their pitch is part of the adjacent grammar school, but lines between sports club and school seem blurred.

It's a pleasant venue, with a single pitch enclosed by an impressive school building and the rear gardens of surrounding houses. The grass was long though and and the pitch was heavy, probably too wet to mow the surface.

Professional players might have had doubts about the pitch but at this level teams just get on with it, and this was a good contest between well-matched teams.

Elton Lib Hargreaves, who were known simply as Hargreaves before linking up with Bury's Elton Liberal Club, were the better side in the first half, and deserved their goal shortly before half time.

Aldermere's players had a half time rocket from their manager and responded by being better after the break. Their equaliser was a fair reward for an improved performance, and they snatched a win thanks to a penalty in the final minute. It was harsh on Elton Lib Hargreaves, although the decision was correct.