26. Chasing Respectability

 

Match 29 Morley Town V Marine U23s First Division Cup Quarter Final

Despite me giving up on the league title long ago, we can still win some silverware this season in the shape of the First Division Cup and we have hopefully got the better end of the draw against Marine’s U-23 team, which are the usual hotchpotch of kids and senior players not deemed good enough for the first team. Their first team though are proudly sat at the top of the Northern Premier and look odds on for promotion up to the Conference North. I go in with a full strength team as I aim to polish off this lot and progress serenely to the semi-finals. Strangely the board and supporters are not so optimistic and expect a defeat.. Let’s see who is right..

Team: Hall, Croft, Clappison, Pappril, Lacey, Wright, Makiessi, Gutzmore, Smith, Ellis, Preston

Subs: McLachlan, Broadhead, Stead, Grantham, Haylock

Marine U23s Nelligan, Ferguson, Caldwell, Sheppard, Bushaj, Cook, Doyle, Horsley, Hagan, Grant, Eloundou

Marine, clad in their San Marino-esque all light blue kit kick off and proceed to keep the ball like Barcelona.. Bushraj throws in to Horsely who lays it back to him. His instant first time cross is floated to the far post where Cook jumps highest and powers a header past Ed Hall. It is us who look more like San Marino as we are just penned inside our own half and can barely touch the ball much to the frustration of the home support. We cannot lay a glove on this lot. Bushaj once again throws in and this time Hagan crosses to the far post where Grant this time rises highest to double their advantage.. This is not as easy a game as I thought. We manage to put together some decent moves but cannot get a clear shot on goal and are met with good defending. Then at the other end it’s a death by a thousand corners... But.. On the stroke of half time, Preston cuts inside from the left and releases Gutzmore down the right flank with a wonderful switch of play. The teenager crosses instantly from the byeline and there is Aaron Smith to tap home his 20^th goal of the season to give us hope. Into the second half and after I fire up the team in the dressing room we fall as flat as a fart again and just cannot get going. I take off the strangely ineffective Ellis and the tired Preston and introduce Stead and Grantham, but Marine just block off anything we try to do. This gets all too much for Jean Claude Makiessi who goes in two-footed on Doyle and earns himself an early bath. Now we are up against it. Somehow we manage to dominate the game with ten as Marine sit back and defend the lead. A great breakaway move see the lively Grantham pass infield to Smith who has popped up in the inside right position . He plays in Lennon Stead!!! Brilliant Save... That was the chance... A battling defeat against a more streetwise Marine side who progress to the semi finals. A disappointing way to exit the cup.

Final Score: Morley Town 1-2 Marine U23s

Smith                                                 Cook

                                                            Grant

 

Morley Town Sign Tony Thompson

We have long needed to strengthen our goalkeeping department and so we have snapped up Tony Thompson, who was released by Warrington Town.

I’ll just put this one out there...

Edward Busfield Leaves Morley

One of my first proper signings and “penalty king,” Edward Busfield has joined Stokesley Sports Club of The Northern League Division 2. He has been a steady Eddie at right back throughout his 33 appearances for the club, but has been frozen out of late. He scored two goals both from the penalty spot. Good luck Eddie.

Jean Claude Makiessi joins Hemsworth Miners Welfare

In a move that has shocked Glen Road my talented midfielder has joined North East Counties League Premier outfit Hemsworth Miners Welfare after failing to agree a new contract with the club. His last act in a Morley shirt was beating the crap out of the poor Marine U23s midfielder, which is a shame because he was a good player. He made 26 appearances, scoring three goals. 

Match 29: Morley Town v Prestwich Heys

We are keen to bounce back after the disappointment of the cup defeat to Marine U23s. New signing Thompson makes his debut and others are suspended like Clappison, or rested to recover from the last game, just three days ago. Prestwich are just above us in 7^th place and will be looking to sustain their own play off ambitions.

Team: Thompson, Croft, Broadhead, Bentley, Lacey, Wright, Schorah, Grantham, Smith, Ellis, Preston

Subs: Hall, Pappril, Leedham, Gutzmore, Stead

Prestwich Heys: Cookney, Roberts, Clark, Grant, Swinburn, Evans, Robertson, Roberts, Nicholas, Jones, Farrell

Match Action

We take the game to the visitors in the opening exchanges. A nice move plays in Grantham but he skies over when he should have hit the target at least. Schorah is having an influence in midfield and his low snapshot is parried out for a corner by Cookney. We deserve a goal though and Prestwich offer little at the other end. Grantham throws the ball in to Ellis on the right flank. He feeds Grantham who passes infield to the impressive Schorah, who turns and plays a lovely slide rule pass inside the full back for Ellis to run onto. The Angel squares the ball to the onrushing Smith at the far post for an easy tap in and his 21^st goal of the season. A brilliant team move. Prestwich get their act together and start to threaten. A brilliantly worked move lets in Farrell who fires wide with only Thompson to beat. A let off.. On the stroke of half time we win a throw on the left. Lacey lofts the ball towards the far post where Courey Grantham has ghosted in from the right wing to nod home number two and record his third goal this season. Prestwich attack and Farrell has another chance but hits the post with his low shot. Unlucky. On 59 minutes a Smith free kick causes panic in the Prestwich box. The ball is cleared only as far as Ellis on the edge of the area who heads fiercely into the ground towards goal. The ball deflects to Sam Wright who half volleys the ball low into the bottom corner for a comfortable 3-0 lead. But.. Prestwich are no mugs and on 74 minutes Nicholas pulls one back with a fine header from a McHarrie cross. Then a few minutes later Robertson lashes a shot home which deflects into the corner of the Morley net. FOCUS I scream from the touchline. They attack again.. surely not... Another cross is fizzed in, sub Pappril sticks out a leg, the ball spins ferociously towards the bottom corner.... Thompson our goalkeeper on debut leaps to his right and fingertips the ball round the post... We win a throw in. Grantham to Croft. The full back plays a teasing ball into the area, Cookney comes out and flaps at the ball as it sails over his head to Kevin Preston who has sneaked in round the back to tap the ball into the empty net from a tight angle to send Glen Road into delirium. 4-2 Morley and a much needed home win. Well done boys!

Final Score: Morley Town 4-2 Prestwich Heys

Smith   28                                              Nicholas 75

Grantham 45                                         Robertson 77     

Wright 60

Preston 89

Match 30: Bacup Borough v Morley Town

It’s coming towards the end of the season and we only really have pride to play for now and an outside chance of gatecrashing the playoffs if we win each game and hope that others drop points. Bacup occupy one of those playoff spots so a win here could make that a possibility. I go in with the same team that beat Prestwich with Clappison still suspended.

Team: Thompson, Croft, Broadhead, Bentley, Lacey, Wright, Schorah, Grantham, Smith, Ellis, Preston

Subs: Hall, Pappril, Leedham, Gutzmore, Stead

Bacup: Otuyo, Hulley, Dobie, Potter, Fallon, Powney, Lloyd,  Heald, Warren, Ridge, Sheriff

We launch the first attack and Luis Lacey gets up from left back and fizzes a shot goalwards in which Otayo acrobatically tips over the bar. Hulley for Bacup then clips the bar with a long range effort. Then a slick move from us sees Ellis bring out the best of Otuyo as he claws the ball round the post. From the resulting corner, the ball is cleared back to Wright who drops his shoulder past his man and dribbles dangerously into the penalty area only to see Oyayo extend a hand to deny him. We are playing really well here and deserve a goal. Wright, who has been a bundle of energy in midfield strides forward and finds Callum Schorah. He plays Grantham in on the overlap and he smacks the ball goalwards onto the crossbar. The ball rebounds to Aaron Smith who pokes the ball home on the rebound for goal number 22 of the season. A brilliant first half performance and we lead 1-0 at the break. Into the second half and the game gets a bit bogged down and we start to give the ball away too cheaply. This gets Bacup back into the game and Kane Warren is set free down the left. His fast, low cross is swept home by the dangerman, Decarrey Sheriff for his 30^th of the season. Bacup keep up the pressure, but Smith forces another fine stop from Otuyo. Then as the game looks to be petering out into a draw, the home side win a corner. Powney plays it straight to Sheriff on the edge of the area. He curls a beautiful shot goalwards and buries it into the corner of the Morley net. We were unlucky to lose this one and the difference between the two sides was one man and best player in the league, Decarrey Sheriff.

Final Score: Bacup Borough 2-1 Morley Town

Sheriff 68,88                                                Smith 27

Brooksby joins Newcastle Independent on loan

My versatile 18 year old prospect Fletch Brooksby has joined Newcastle Independent of the Northern Alliance League until the end of the season.

Darryll Hall leaves Morley

After a short stay at Morley, our U18s Assistant Manager/American popstar has taken the vacant managerial post at Chester Nomads. If they stay up we will be encountering his team again next season.

Match 31: Daisy Hill v Morley Town

We have just five games left and while we sit in a respectable 9^th place I am eager to see how high up we can finish. Daisy Hill have had a great season and are in 3^rd and in the hunt for at least a playoff place. I make one change with Ben Clappison returning to the back four after suspension in place of Bentley.

Team: Thompson, Croft, Clappison, Broadhead, Lacey, Wright, Schorah, Grantham, Ellis, Smith, Preston

Subs: Hall, Bentley, Gutzmore, Stead, Leedham

Daisy Hill: Corran, Marshall, Davis, Bell, Carter, Hodgson, Hartley, Edwards, Egan, Brown, Price

We start brightly and a Schorah flick header brings a great reflex save from their keeper, Corran. Then from the resulting corner a fierce shot from Ellis is clawed away for another set piece. Daisy Hill come back into it but fail to create a significant chance. We finish the half stronger with a Schorah effort and an Ellis half volley from a cleared corner both well saved by Corran as the Daisy Hill goal leads a charmed life. Nil Nil at half time in a match we have dominated.

Into the second half and Daisy Hill win a throw in. The ball is crossed to Jack Egan at the far post who rises highest to fire a header past Thompson for an undeserved lead. Daisy Hill are a different team this half and their left winger Ronaldo Brown has turned into Cristiano as he dribbles past two defenders and slots the ball high into the roof of the net to double their advantage. We just cannot get the ball off them and it’s a death by a thousand free kicks. Ronaldo Brown does his best Cristiano impressions again when he drifts infield with the ball and buries it into the top corner. I just want the season to end now!. Then calamity. Wright miscontrols the ball in midfield and Jack Price intercepts and races clear. There is only one outcome as he once again makes the top of the net bulge again. Football is a cruel game. We really did not deserve this. Jack Broadhead converts a late penalty after Leedham was upended in the box to give us something to cheer. They still find time to strike a further blow when Price runs clear again and squares for Edwards to smash home number five. We were absolutely atrocious second half, while Daisy Hill showed why they were near the top of the table and we are nowhere near.

Final Score: Daisy Hill 5-1 Morley Town

Egan.                                     Broadhead (pen)

Brown

Price

Edwards

League Table After 30 Games

League Table After 30 Games

1^st Longridge Town 59

2^nd AFC Blackpool 56

3^rd Daisy Hill 55

4^th Bacup Borough 52

5^th Pilkington 52

6^th Nelson 51

7^th Prestwich Heys 48

8^th Holker Old Boys 45

9^th Morley Town 41

10^th Ryburn United 41

11^th Squire’s Gate 38

12^th South Liverpool 37

13^th Chadderton 33

14^th Campion 32

15^th Ashton 32

------------------------------------

16^th Chester Nomads 30

17^th Albion Sports 26

18^th Atherton Laburnum Rovers 14 (R)

Match 32: Morley Town v Chadderton

While we have nothing to play for now, it would be nice to end the season on a high. There are just four games left and while we are not going to go up or down I need to gain some momentum for next season. It is a good time to give the youngsters some minutes, so Gutzmore starts on the right and O’Connor through the middle with Ellis. Pappril comes in at the back to partner Clappison. Chadderton are equally marooned in 13^th and have likewise done enough to survive for another season.

Team: Thompson, Croft, Clappison, Broadhead, Lacey, Wright, Smith, Grantham, Ellis, Stead, Preston

Subs: Hall, Stead, Schorah, Bett-Wildsmith, Bentley

Chadderton: Oldham, Ingham, Saidy, Stewart, Winfarrah, Bhaula, Evans, Anderson, Zachariasen, Stockdale, Lashley

Match Action

We start brightly and Lennon Stead almost scores his first goal for Morley, but is denied by Oldham. Aaron Smith playing in the Number 10 role today is pulling the strings in midfield and he finds The Angel, who sweeps it wide to Kevin Preston. He cuts inside on his right and is clearly fouled, but the ref plays advantage as the ball falls to Smith who in one beautiful movement glides past two defenders and slides the ball into the corner of the net for his 23^rd of the season. Grantham then goes on a mazy dribble himself into the penalty area, but his fierce shot is beaten away by the keeper. Then, Clappison smartly intercepts the ball on the halfway line and feeds Smith who turns the ball onto Gabriel Ellis. The Angel swivels and unleashes a magnificent strike straight into the top corner, keeper no chance. 2-0 Morley. On 37 minutes great persistence from Croft and Grantham on the right sees the latter gain half a yard before whipping in a fine cross, straight onto the Angel’s head who powers it into the roof of the net for a brilliant 3-0 lead. Chadderton have offered little so far, but when they have it has come through their left winger Zachariasen, who has a free kick brilliantly saved by Thompson and then forces another from close range moments later. Into the second half and Chadderton attack down the right, Bhaula finding Ingham. He cuts inside but there is seemingly no danger until he unleashes a crackerjack of a shot which rebounds off the crossbar and into the net for 3-1. Chadderton are a different side now and cut us open again, this time Zacharia applying the close range finish. It was inevitable. Zachariasen hits a free kick which flies into the top corner. Even Stevie Wonder could see that one coming. We rally and search for a winner. From a Grantham throw, Sam Wright spins and dribbles into the box unchallenged. Sam Wright! Aww just a whisker over the bar.,, Sub O’Connor then dribbles into the area but hits his shot straight at the keeper. It ends 3-3 in a classic game of two halves. While I’m upset at throwing away a 3-0 lead at home, credit to Chadderton for coming back in the second half and at this stage of the season it hardly matters. We stay in 9^th place.

Morley Town 3-3 Chadderton

Smith 16                    Ingham 46

Ellis 23,38                  Zachariasen 67,72

New Youth Intake

Spring is in the air and that means a new batch of young lambs are released to join the Morley Town flock. This year’s motley bunch of potential wonderkids, misfits, juvenile delinquents and wannabe Lionel Messi’s include an Australian goalkeeper, a very talented Scottish forward called Lewis Kemp, an Ivorian playmaker and another goalkeeper who hails from South Korea.. which ones will catch the eye?

These are the players who have earned a coveted youth contract with Morley Town.

Lirak Bentham (DL)

Denny Marra (GK)

Lee James (MR)

Lewis Kemp (AML/ST)

Freddy Coulibally (AMC)

Board Confidence

Joe Lamplough Announces Retirement from Playing

My player/Assistant Manager, Joe Lamplough has decided to retire at the end of the season. He will carry on as my Assistant and help with coaching younger players. The versatile left sided player started his career at Hull City before spending time in non-league football with Scarborough Athletic and Bridlington Town, before moving over to West Yorkshire and see his career out at Glen Road.

Match 33 Atherton Laburnum Rovers v Morley Town

The season is fast drawing to a close and so it is time to have a look at a few of the youngsters at the club. I go in with a 4-2-2-1-1 to try and match their dodgy inverted Christmas Tree formation with two flipping number 10s behind a lone striker. Who do Atherton think they are, the Spanish national team? "No place fo’ fancy Dan formations like that in t’North West Counties League Division One... No wonder theyre bottom o’league...." was the sentiment among our players and fans when the team sheets were exchanged.

Formation 4-2-2-1-1. Thompson, Worsnop, Clappison, Broadhead, Haylock, Wright, Leedham Smith, Gutzmore,, O’Connor, Bett-Wildsmith

Subs: Hall, Schorah, Bentley, Ellis, Croft

Atherton Laburnum Rovers: Bloxham, Drury, Ayuk, Opuku, Mhilu, Flood, Serres, Walsh, Rafaat, Debnam, Eustace

Six minutes in and Morley have not touched the ball, as the relegated bottom of the table team play like their lives depend on it... We touch the ball once in 20 minutes when Gutzmore is shrugged off the ball by their full back. To make matters worse Thompson has hurt his shoulder making yet another save from a corner, so Ed Hall replaces him in goal. Inevitably they score when Serres one of their Number 10s has far too much space in which to find the top corner from inside the penalty area. We do muster an effort on target when a Bett Wildsmith cross is met by the head of O’Connor. We cannot live with this formation they are using and Jack Debnam is given the freedom of Lancashire to waltz into the box and fire another exocet past Ed Hall for 2-0.. Then in true FM fashion the game just ticks on.. nothing until half time when a Sam Wright corner is cleared... 2-0 against the bottom side. THIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH!!! I lay into them at half time I don’t care I’m fed up of this nonsense.

Into the second half and we are equally as pathetic as the first. On 68 minutes they put us out of our misery when the other “number 10” Rafaat smashes the ball into the top corner from 25 yards...

At 3-0 down we actually start to play some football and carve out a couple of half chances. Aaron Smith volleys home a late consolation from close range but this is a game we should have done better in. Turns out that formation they used was a masterstroke.... maybe there’s something in it because nobody else at this level of football is playing with two number tens and a false nine in a flippin' Christmas tree formation... 

Final Score: Atherton Laburnum Rovers 3-1 Morley Town

Serres 22                                                                                                                Smith 90

Debnam 26

Rafaat 69

 Match 34: Morley Town v Campion

Our last home game of the season sees us host local rivals, Campion. Neither team have anything to play for and the two sides played out an exciting 3-3 draw in Bradford earlier in the season, so could be an interesting one. I put out a full strength team, as I want to put on a show for the home support.

Team: Thompson, Croft, Clappison, Papprill, Lacey, Wright,Broadhead, Smith, Grantham, Ellis, Preston

Subs: Hall, Schorah, Stead, Bentley, Gutzmore

Campion: Mbayo, Feeney, Kamara, Horton, Davidson, Haley, Bailey, Clarke, Day, Ziegler, Osdadebe

Match Action

We start brightly and keep the ball well. Sam Wright bursts forward and exchanges passes with Courey Grantham. He feeds the ball into Aaron Smith in the penalty area who spins and blasts a first time effort off the underside of the crossbar to give us the lead. Campion hit back, forcing Thompson into a fine save at his near post. There is an air of confidence about our play today. Grantham and Wright combine yet again and he feeds Smith in the area who swivels and fires low into the bottom corner to double our advantage. It gets better. A corner from Sam Wright causes chaos in the box and a push on a Morley player. Penalty! Up steps Courey Grantham and slides the ball low into the corner. 3-0.. but remember Chadderton in our last home game..

Into the second half and we begin where we left off. One move gets too much for their defender, Camara who mis-times a challange and earns himself a second yellow card. It’s all us and we are toying with Campion. The inevitable fourth goal comes when sub, Marlon Gutzmore dances down the left wing and produces a pinpoint cross for Grantham to nod home his second of the game. Then, nothing as the game ticks on to the end. A much needed morale-boosting win and a nice way to finish our home league campaign.

Match 34: Nelson v Morley Town

It’s been a long old season as we make one final trip across the Pennines to the town of Nelson for our final game of the season. We can either finish in 9^th or 10^th, while our hosts are in 7^th place after suffering a massive drop-off in form which will see them finishing the season outside the playoffs. This is a surprise as they lead the league for most of the first half of the season. I fill my team with a mixture of youth and experience. Joe Lamplough gets a start at left back in his final game before retirement. I stick with my 4-2-3-1 formation which served us well against Campion. I also give a full debut to 15-year old right back, Michael Francis as I look to the future.

Team: Thompson, Francis, Pappril, Clappison, Bentley, Lamplough, Wright, Smith, Longbottom, Caffrey, Gutzmore

Subs: Paley, Clappison, Coubillay, Preston, Ellis

Nelson: Burton, Steventon, Scanlon, Phunthang, Ramshaw, Mahoney, Simons, Whitbread, Dale, Padrao, Hartley

Match Action        

It’s an even game. Nelson have an early goal ruled out for offside, while Worsnop heads over from an excellent Gutzmore cross. Sam Bentley’s speculative effort is brilliantly saved by Burton. From Wright’s resulting corner, the ball is only half cleared by Nelson to Worsnop, who flicks the ball on and Ben Clappison nuts the ball home from close range! 1-0 Morley. A neat passing move by Nelson sees Padroa flick the ball on to Whitbread who is free in the area and he confidently finishes into the top corner. 1 each. We barely touch the ball as Nelson attack again and it is all a little too easy. Padrao once again the creator with a delightful ball over the top for Seth Hartley to run onto and he neatly places the ball past Thompson to turn the game around. 2-1 Nelson at half time. Into the second half and it is the home side who look most likely to extend their advantage. Then, out the blue we win a corner. Joe Lamplough swings it in and.. the ref blows his whistle! Penalty! Up steps The Angel, on as a substitute... and finds the corner for two each! Both sides attack with nothing to lose looking for a winner. Thompson has to be at his best on at least three occasions and then with the last kick of the season, Sam Wright swings a corner in onto the head of Pappril!! Turned round the post by the keeper. Unlucky! That’s it the season ends with an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Final Score: Nelson 2-2 Morley Town

Whitbread                         Clappison

Hartley                               Ellis (pen)      

  Final League Table 2024/25 Season

 

We finish in 9^th place with 46 points. I am satisfied with this outcome, but a little disappointed we failed to sustain a playoff challenge, but not bad for the first season in this league and it gives us something to build on for the next campaign. We have learnt a lot from this season and will grow as a result. 

AFC Blackpool win The North West Counties League Division One North

Congratulations to AFC Blackpool who beat Bacup Borough 3-1 on the final day to secure promotion to the North West Counties Premier League. Commiserations to Ashton Town, Albion Sports and Atherton Laburnum Rovers who fall through the trapdoor to the amateur leagues. 

So, the season finally comes to an end and a respectable 9th place finish in Morley Town's inaugural North West Counties Division One North campaign. Can they build on this for next season? Find out next time on The Ultimate English Pyramid Game!