League Fixtures available at; www.mcfl.co.uk and http://full-time.thefa.com/gen/Index.do?division=1834289

2009-10 Season

Cheshire League Challenge Cup

Crewe 3 – 3 Lostock Gralam  *Crewe won 4 – 3 on penalties.

If ever there was a match of two halves, this was certainly it. Atrocious in the first half, Lostock looked down and out going into the break 3 down, having conceded very sloppy goals and not looking in the least bit interested against a Crewe side clearly up for the game.

Half time 3 - 0

The second half was a complete turnaround, as Lostock camped in their opponents half and showed some tenacity to get back in the game. First Ashley crashed a header against the bar from one of a number of set pieces around the Crewe box before Birdsey crossed to the back post for Wilding to volley home. Palmer then got the goal of the game, letting the ball drop over his shoulder before smashing home a superb volley. The Grey Lambs were in the ascendancy, but were indebted to Burton in goal for a superb one handed save from a deflected shot to keep them in touching distance. After further pressure, it was wilding who got his second of the game to take the tie into extra time.

Full time 3 - 3

Extra time was a non starter, as both teams battled hard and not conceding  goal. That inevitably led to the lottery of penalties, and it was the Crewe custodian who emerged the hero, making two excellent saves from the first two spot kicks to give the home side a commanding lead.

Warren, Bithell and Horne scored consecutively with Crewe missing their 4th penalty, taking the contest down to the last kick. It wasn’t to be for Lostock, as the Crewe kicker kept his cool to secure their semi final berth.

Team – Burton, Horne, Rafferty, Ashley, Birdsey, Weedall, Collins, Johnson, Wilding, Astbury, Palmer.

Subs – Warren, Bithell.

Saturday 13th February 2010

Mid Cheshire Challenge Cup

Cuddington 1  - 9 Lostock Gralam

Lostock progressed to their first semi final of the season with a professional job against a battling Cuddington side. The first half didn’t go all the way of the visitors, as the Cuddington custodian made a number of quality saves early on. Butters eventually made the breakthrough, closely followed by goals from Palmer and Johnson.

Half time 0 – 3

The Grey Lambs quickly made the game safe early in the second half, although Cuddington pulled one back from a corner. Eventual scorers were Butters (2), Palmer (2), Johnson (2), Collins (2) and Astbury. Lostock will look to finish their other cup match against Crewe FC next week, after finding the last fixture abandoned due to thick fog in extra time.

Team – Bird, Birdsey, Rafferty, Ashley, Horne, Butter, Johnson, Collins, Palmer, Warren, Wilding.

Subs – Astbury, Barlow, Weedall.

Saturday 7th February 2010

Division 2 Challenge Cup

Crewe 2 – 2 Lostock Gralam – *Match Abandoned in E.T.

Thick fog curtailed Lostock’s exciting cup match at the weekend, adding more games to an increasingly lengthy fixtures list. It wasn’t a great performance from the Grey Lambs against one of the better teams encountered this year. Jack Burton in Lostock’s goal made a number of smart saves as Crewe took every opportunity to test him from distance, but Mike Butters showed them how it was done with an absolute screamer that flew into the top corner from well over 25 yards. The Grey Lambs should have extended their lead before half time, but couldn’t quite finish a number of good moves.

Half Time 0 – 1

The visitors were poor in the second half, and didn’t get moving again until the scores were levelled through an excellent free kick with 20 minutes to go. It proved a good incentive and Lostock were soon back in the lead when Warren was released down the right channel and stood up an excellent cross for Palmer to head home. However, Lostock once again went onto the back foot and conceded a sloppy goal in the dying minutes of the game after the ball had bounced around the area. With thick fog suddenly moving in, the match was abandoned despite due for reaching a conclusion on the day.

Team – Burton, Horne, Rafferty, Ashley, Barlow, Wylding, Latham, Palmer, Johnson, Butters, Warren.

Subs – Birdsey, Astbury, Collins.

Brooktherm MOM – Mike Butters.

 Saturday 23rd January 2010

Lostock Gralam 3 – 0 Daten

Lostock got back to winning ways with a comfortable victory over mid table Daten. The Grey Lambs made an electrifying start, creating a number of chances before Palmer opened the scoring, coolly rounding the keeper to tap home went sent through on goal. Latham then produced a superb solo run to take himself clean through on goal, before being crudely brought down in the box. The offense saw Daten reduced to 10 men before Warren stepped up to slot home from the spot. Lostock strangely lost their momentum thereafter, although Warren was only denied a second when his blistering shot from wide was tipped onto the bar from Datens keeper.

Half time 2 – 0

The second half continued in much the same way as the first had ended, with Daten creating nothing of any note going forward, but with the hosts strangely muted and failing to convert a number of chances. Daten owed a lot to their keeper, who did make an outstanding contribution to keep them in touching distance, but he could do nothing to prevent Warren getting his second of the game when firing home from close range. Whilst it was a welcome return to playing after just 2 games in the best part of 3 months, stiffer tests will come as the season gets going again.

Team -  Burton, Horne, Ashley, Rafferty, Barlow, Wilding, Butters, Latham, Johnson, Warren, Palmer.

 Saturday 12th December 2009

New Mills Reserves 0 – 1 Lostock Gralam

Lostock moved up to second place with an excellent performance that belied the close score line. The Grey Lambs created a number of early chances before Palmer gave them the lead, taking down a superb ball from Butters to slot home. Palmer and Wilding went close a number of times, but the score remained tight going into half time.

Half Time 0 – 1

Lostock continued to play the better football on a very heavy pitch, but couldn’t quite find the breakthrough to extend their lead. Sharples and Wilding both had very good case’s in penalty appeals that were turned away, but the visitors kept their nerve to maintain their 100% away record going into their top of the table clash with Maine Road next week.

Team – Burton, Barlow, Ashley, Astbury, Horne, Warren, Latham, Johnson, Palmer, Butters, Wilding.

Subs – Sharples, Collins, Rafferty, Taylor.

Saturday 7th November 2009

Grappenhall Sports 1 – 3 Lostock Gralam

Lostock closed the gap at the top of the table with a comfortable win to maintain their 100% away record. The game was hard fought from the offset, with both sides working hard to attain the upper hand. Lostock took the lead after 20 minutes when Dave Ashley rose superbly from a free kick to beat both centre half and keeper to nod the ball home. Kyle Wilding took the plaudits for the second, using his pace to streak behind the Grappenhall defence before being taken out in the box as he turned inside the centre half. Lewis Warren stepped up to slide home the penalty and double the lead.

Half time 0 -2

The second half saw Lostock dominate the tempo of the game, but several chances went begging before Grappenhall pulled a goal back. The Grey Lambs never looked in trouble though and Wilding earned another penalty after being crudely upended. Lewis Warren stepped up and slammed home his second spot kick even more comprehensively than the first. Astbury and Sharples both went close to extending the lead further before the final whistle went to give Lostock maximum points.

Team – Burton, Horne, Ashley, Evans, Barlow, Warren, Johnson, Palmer, Butters, Astbury, Wilding.

Subs – Sharples, Birdsey.

3rd October 2009

Lostock 1 – 1 Grappenhall

Lostock were held to  a draw in one of the surprise results of the weekend. The host’s started slowly and never really got into their stride early on, and went behind to a swift counter attack after Palmers shot was blocked after half an hour. The goal gave the visitors confidence as they finished the better side, despite the awful conditions for football.

Half time 0 – 1

The second half was another scrappy affair as Lostock couldn’t find the inspiration to get back in the game. Butters came close when his shot was dragged just past the far post and Wilding looked more of a threat as the game progressed. It wasn’t until the final 10 minutes that Lostock exerted any concerted pressure, with Wilding forcing a good save and Palmer going close with a free kick after a cynical foul just on the edge of the area. The deadline was finally broken from the penalty spot as Johnson was taken out bursting into the box. Wilding scored at the second attempt after his shot from the spot was saved to earn the Grey Lambs a point.

Team – German, Horne, Rafferty, Evans, Barlow, Butters, Palmer, Latham, Johnson, Wilding, Astbury.

Subs – Collins, Birdsey, Taylor.

26th September 2009

Malpas 1 – 6 Lostock Gralam

Lostock recorded their highest league victory of the season with a comfortable result against lowly Malpas. The Grey Lambs started strongly but were shocked to go behind to a superb 25 yard strike after failing to comprehensively clear their lines. This gave the host’s a real confidence boost, particularly as Lostock wasted a string of good chances to equalise. As half time approached, Astbury made his chance count from close range after being teed up by Johnson to equalise and Horne added a penalty after Wilding had been fouled to give a quick fire lead at the break.

Half Time 1 – 2

Lostock didn’t start the half too well and were forced to defend for the opening exchanges, but this gave ample chance to counter attack and Butters, Johnson and Wilding all did so to great effect to score, exposing the Malpas defence with superb pace and quality in the build up. Wilding capped a great all round display with the final goal, cutting in from the right to rifle past the Malpas stopper via the bar from 25 yards.

Team – German, Horne, Rafferty, Evans, Barlow, Butters, Johnson, Palmer, Latham, Wilding, Astbury.

Subs – Taylor, Sharples, Birdsey.

Brooktherm MOM – Kyle Wilding.  

12th September 2009

Lostock Gralam 5 – 0 New Mills Reserves

Lostock turned in a fine all round performance against the 2nd placed Millers to open up a lead at the top of the table. The Grey Lambs created several openings before Astbury opened the scoring, sliding home after great pressure high up the pitch forced a mistake. Lostock doubled the lead shortly afterwards, carving open the New Mills defence to leave Wilding with time to slot home at the back post. A stunning run of pace and trickery from Wilding left 4 players in his wake but when his shot was saved, Warren could only hit the post from close range. Warren was quick to make amends, earning a penalty that he calmly converted following a twisting run of his own.

Half Time 3 – 0

Lostock dictated the second half tempo in hot conditions and never allowed New Mills an opportunity to get back into the game. Johnson extended the lead to four before Khirat came from the bench to add another goal and a polish to the scoreline. Wilding also had a close range effort come back off the post, but couldn’t add to the scoring. With goals coming from all over the pitch and a first clean sheet of the season, Lostock are in good form going into next weeks Cheshire Cup game against Runcorn Town.

Team – German, Horne, Birdsey, Rafferty, Barlow, Wilding, Johnson, Latham, Palmer, Warren, Astbury.

Subs – Khirat, Butters, Taylor.

Brooktherm MOM – Kyle Wilding

5th September 2009

Cheshire League Divisional Cup

Lostock 4 – 1 Grappenhall Sports

Lostock recovered from the loss of their 100% record in mid week to secure a comfortable passage into the quarter finals of the divisional cup. The hosts created a glut of chances before Lewis Warren eventually gave them the lead from the penalty spot with 25 minutes gone, after Matty Davies was crudely fouled in the area. Palmer eventually doubled the lead with a simple finish, but Lostock nearly paid for their poor finishing when Whitehead was forced to make a superb save from a Grappenhall free kick just short of half time.

Half Time 2 – 0

Lostock again dominated the second half but again had a poor chance to scoring ratio, eventually making it three when Warren carved open the Grappnehall defence with a solo run only to see his shot parried straight to Astbury for a tap in. The visitors were given a lifeline when Crawfords mis-cued cross spectacularly found the top corner with 25 minutes to go, but Sharples re-established the 3 goal cushion from open play shortly after having missed Lostock’s second penalty of the afternoon. Grappenhall were eventually reduced to 10 men towards the end of the game as their cynical play turned a touch nasty, but Lostock saw the game through in comfort to progress.

Full time 4 - 1

Team – Kevin Whitehead, Horne, Birdsey, Rafferty, Barlow, Wilding, Palmer, Johnson, Warren, Davies, Astbury. Subs – Henderson, Sharples, Collins.

Brooktherm MOM - Kyle Wilding

19th August 2009

Daten 1 v Lostock 2

Lostock made it two wins from two in a patchy mid week performance against Daten. The Grey Lambs started strongly and won the physical and football battle in the early stages, but couldn’t beat an inspired goalkeeping performance from Kellett, making good saves from Sharples and Wilding early on. It wasn’t until the Daten stopper was injured making a superb diving stop from a Rafferty half volley on 35 minutes that the game changed, with Daten finishing the stronger after the substitution and rattling the visitors bar with a shot from distance.

Half Time 0 – 0

Lostock took heed of the late warning and again dominated from kick off, Astbury giving them the lead with a fine turn and volley from the edge of the area after several other missed chances. Wilding made it 2 within a minute of the opener, winning the race to a through ball before spinning and curling his shot over the retreating keeper to bag his 3rd  goal in 2 games. Lostock were rampant at this stage and Astbury hit the post before earning a penalty shortly afterwards, only to see his spot kick agonisingly come back off the post for a second time. The Grey Lambs lost their concentration and conceded a sloppy goal to set up a nervous final 20 minutes, but they stayed strong to take the points.

Team – Burton, Horne, Ashley, Rafferty, Birdsey, Butters, Latham, Johnson, Sharples, Astbury, Wilding.

Subs – Barry, Davies, C. Taylor, Collins, R.Taylor.

Brooktherm MOM -  Kyle Wilding

Saturday 22nd August 2009

Maine Road Reserves 2 – 5 Lostock Gralam

Lostock kept up their form on the road with a good result against a very promising Maine Road team. The Grey Lambs took the lead inside 10 minutes when Astbury’s header fell to Johnson to convert from close range. It was Johnson again with the second shortly afterwards, slotting home from close range after great work from Warren down the right. Lostock raced to 3 up after 35 minutes, the goal brought about after Warren twisted and turned down the right before delivering a great cross that the Kamal could only turn into his own net with Davies waiting for a tap in at the back post. Despite Lostocks incisive attacking display, Maine Road kept themselves in the game with a well worked goal just before half time.

Half Time 1 – 3

Lostock weathered an early storm from the hosts with Burton having to make a smart save, but Lostocks pace on the break was always a danger and Collins and Butters linked up well to slide in Wilding, who finished emphatically once through against the keeper. Lostock were awarded a penalty on the hour for handball, which Sharples calmly dispatched to make it 5. The Grey Lambs will be disappointed to have conceded a sloppy goal towards the end of the match which they should have seen through without incident. Despite this, Lostock will be pleased to be sitting top of the table after just 3 games with the promise of more to come from this exciting young team.

Full Time 2 - 5

Team – Burton, Horne, Astbury, Birdsey, Barlow, Butters, Collins, Johnson, Warren, Wilding, Davies. Subs – Evans, Sharples, Taylor, Khirat, Bithell.

Brooktherm MOM – Dom Johnson

Saturday 18th July 2009

Meir KA 0 v 2 Lostock Gralam

Lostock began their pre season travels in style with a comfortable victory over the higher status Midlands Combination outfit, Meir KA. Liam Sharples opened the scoring mid way through the first half, converting from close range after Mike Rafferty headed against the post. Lostock continued to create chances in the second half that saw Sharples and Palmer go close, but Dom Johnson ensured victory with a clean strike towards the end of the game.