7.45pm 1 October 2024
North West Counties League Cup, First Round
Thornton Cleveleys 2 Colne 4 (att 164)
New floodlit grounds that are within easy range for an after-work journey are a relative rarity these days, but this season the North West Counties League has provided two.
Both had home draws in the first round of the league cup, with ties scheduled for the same night. I was saved from having to choose by Shawbury United's match falling victim to a waterlogged pitch.
Thornton Cleveleys won promotion from the West Lancashire League last season, and this was the first time their newly-installed floodlights had been used for a first team game.
The whole ground is fairly new, and has been built adjacent to Fleetwood Town's Poolfoot Farm complex, where Thornton played temporarily pending completion of their own facility.
That pitch still exists, unlike the three other pitches - at two venues - where I've also seen Thornton Cleveleys play previously. The site first of those, visited in 1999, is now covered by houses and very close to the new set up.
It feels a little like a work in progress. All the facilities, including a clubhouse, snack bar and a covered terrace, are on the near side. Spectators can also stand at one end, but the far side, where the dugouts are, and the other end are both out of bound due to a lack of hard standing. I believe a seated stand will be added soon.
It was a game with an all action start. Colne game close to going ahead in the opening seconds, but Thornton Cleveleys survived that scare then went down the other end took a first minute lead.
They came close to doubling their lead just after, but it was Colne who scored next, making it 1-1 with just four minutes played. The game calmed down a little after that, although there were chances at both ends before the visitors went 2-1 ahead.
About 20 minutes into the second half Thornton Cleveleys were back level. But Colne, who are a division higher but currently sit bottom, had the edge and two goals saw them into the next round.
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