Just back from a cold, but dry Pinfold Street, where it finished Ince Rose Bridge 26-44 Lions.
The scoreline might suggest it was a comfortable win for us, but for over an hour, it defo wasn't!
They scored first to lead 6-0, and were 18-12 up at the break. We equalised early doors after the re-start, but it wasn't long before they were two scores clear at 26-18, and I was not alone in being seriously worried that we'd be out at the first hurdle! But......
Fortunately, they didn't trouble the scorers again, and we managed to avoid a banana skin, to set up a home tie with Wakey in a fortnight, where hopefully we can make a few quid.
The set-up there is good, smart clubhouse, a quality playing surface, and they produced a splendid match programme.
Next up for us is hosting Goole tomorrow week.
Spelly.
I opened my League Express this morning, and Ince Rose Bridge are Team-of-the-Week, and..........
I wouldn't argue with the choice for a moment!
They gave us a huge scare!
Spelly.
Lions 24-28 Goole at a grey Heywood Road this aft, and that's P2, L2 in league football so far for us.
We got off to a flying start, and were almost up with the clock at 12-0, but............
They scored with their first attack, and levelled right on the hooter, making it 12-12 at the break.
First score of the second half went to them, and they led 16-12.
Back we came, and it was 18-16 to us, but it was soon 22-18 to the visitors.
We thought we'd won it, as we nosed 24-22 ahead with not long left, but............
They scored in the corner, and it was that late, the hooter went before kicker banged the con over from the touchline.
A real sickener for us coz, just as against 'Ornits, the margin was again a mere four points.
That's two home defeats so far, and both against League 1 opposition, Things need to improve, and quickly!
It's Wakey in the Cup next week, and I'm not (by a long way) holding my breath, but......
Hopefully, they'll bring plenty of fans with 'em, and put a few quid in our bank account.
Spelly.
Wakey not going easy on us!
No McMeekin (coz of the Ashes?) but the likes of Faatili, Trueman, Lino, and Jowitt will all be treading the Heywood Road turf come Sunday.
The weather's not the best here at present, but hopefully it'll clear up, and tempt a goodly few to cross t'hills, and help create a smile of the face of our bank manager!
An upset? Unlikely! Keep it respectable? Hopefully! But.........................
One thing's for certain though, there won't be a repeat of the last time we played 'em in the Cup, coz.......
It went to a replay! 1990 at Station Road, the first game ended in a 10-10 draw, before heading to Belle Vue the following Wednesday, when despite scoring first, it ended (I think) 32-4 to the hosts.
COME ON YOU LIONS!!!!!!!
Spelly.
Lions 6-82 Trin this aft at Heywood Road, and a shock result was never on as they opened the scoring after just three minutes.
They notched fourteen tries, with Jowitt failing to improve just one of 'em, but...............
Our single touchdown was prob the most most spectacular of the game, with even the Wakey followers joining in the applause! They really were a great set of fans.
The diff in FT, and PT football was more than apparent throughout.
Met their owner Matt Ellis, and what a top guy he his!
Back to normal next week, as we head to Colwyn Bay on Saturday, and hopefully we can put up a better performance than we did in the friendly just before Christmas.
Spelly.
Big crowd spelly ?
Big crowd spelly ?
918 mate, which is disappointing.
I was expecting about 1,300.
I would guess that about 60% were visitors.
Spelly.
Wow that’s disappointing, hardly made a few bob there - perhaps when you get your new stadium crowds may grow - hope that happens
Wow that’s disappointing, hardly made a few bob there - perhaps when you get your new stadium crowds may grow - hope that happens
Sure was mate.
The new stadium is not gonna happen next week, next month, or next year. About an eighteen months build from start I believe.
Spelly.
Have your lot ever even considered of playing at the CorpAcq ?
Isnt it fully owned by Salford City Council now ? and isnt Swinton in Salford
1) Have your lot ever even considered of playing at the CorpAcq ?
2) Isnt it fully owned by Salford City Council now ? 3) and isnt Swinton in Salford
1) We've hosted the odd game there, but would you as a Chemic, like to play at "home" at Wire? Even though Pinksville is walking distance from my house, I hate the place!
2) Not sure about the ownership these days, it could be fully council.
3) It's something I've always refused, and always will refuse to accept! Ask any Leyther if they live in Wigan! Ask any Lawkholme Laner if they're in Bradford!
The ambition / dream, is / remains, to return to within the boundaries of the M27 postcode.
Spelly.
Back home from a cold Colwyn Bay, where it finished 48-22 the wrong way.
To be frank, the scoreline flatters us, as we scored a couple of tries late on, to give it a respectable-ish look.
Their second touchdown seemed to come from a forward pass, but apart from that, our defence left a lot to be desired.
A crowd (wrong word) of just 424, inc prob less than three figures who'd made a similar journey to me.
It won't get any easier next week, coz it's Lockyer's Lads who come a-calling!
As the old saying goes..................
I've had better days!
Spelly.