F.A. Vase 1st Qualifying Round

Friday 14th August 2026

Kick Off 19.45 Actual 19.47

Woolton 1 A.F.C. Liverpool 0, attendance 252

71’ 1-0

@ Simpson Sports Hub, 3G Stadium Pitch

Hillfoot Road

Woolton

Liverpool

L25 7UJ

£6 Admission

£2 Programme (never saw any), but free Team Sheet available.

I very rarely have an opportunity to pick up a new ground visit in the F.A. Vase these days, due to the removal of replays and the fact I prefer to visit floodlit venues during midweek, rather then wasting a Saturday on them. This local derby was an all North West Counties League tie, with Division 1 North (Step 6) hosting Premier Division (Step 5).

The ground is somewhat typical of cage set ups at this level. There’s a seated kit stand and a small section of cover, both on the touchline next to the car park/changing rooms/clubhouse (hot and cold food and drinks available), with spectator access also behind the left hand goal end. A pair of dugouts are on the far side and a plus point here, which I’ve yet to see elsewhere, was all the spare sets of goalposts were covered in green meshing, making them far less of a distraction and certainly improves the viewing experience.

The match was very keenly contested, with no hint that these two played at different levels, but never produced much in the way of goalmouth action. The only goal came with nineteen minutes left, when a long ball over the top saw the Liverpool ‘keeper collide with a defender as he came out to clear on the edge of the box, leaving a Woolton striker an easy tap in that he rolled into the empty net. Liverpool thought they’d levelled the scores with six minutes left, with a cracking shot into the top corner, but it was ruled out for offside.

Journey up to the Northwest was horrendous, as it always is on a Friday, taking five and a half hours. At least an overnight stay meant not having to suffer the regular roadworks coming back.