West Cheshire League

Division 1

Wednesday 10th April 2019

Kick Off 18.30 Actual 18.35

Ellesmere Port Town 1 Newton 3, attendance 35

27’ 0-1 (pen)

37’ 0-2

46’ 0-3

85’ 1-3

@ Whitby Sports & Social Club

Dunkirk Lane

off Chester Road

Whitby

Ellesmere Port

CH65 6QF

No Admission

Programme free, 8 pages.

I had been to Whitby Sports & Social Club to see a match before, back on 5th April 2000, when it was known as The Shell Club. That night I saw Shell Tessuti 1 General Chemicals 2, in a West Cheshire League Division 1 match, when the game was played on the railed pitch next to the club building, but that has now been taken over by rugby. To the right of the complex, when looking from the buildings, there are now two railed off football pitches, with the one furthest away being home to Ellesmere Port Town.

On arrival, we received a very friendly welcome from the Chairman and Secretary of the club. As well as a free matchday programme, we were also offered free tea/coffee and Penguin/Kit Kat chocolate bars!

The match was 9th versus 1st in the league table, with Newton needing just 4 points from their last 3 games to win the league, such is their superior goal difference over second placed Rainhill Town. Back in January, Ellesmere Port beat Newton 6-4 in the quarter Final of the Cheshire F.A. Amateur Cup, whilst Newton had won the league fixture earlier in the season 3-1, so they were two pretty evenly matched sides, despite the league positions.

Newton went ahead with a penalty, awarded for a handball, then increased their lead with a shot that beat the ‘keeper at his near post. When they made it 0-3, with a goal in the first minute of the second half, it was game over and the consolation goal for the hosts came too late to have any effect on the outcome.