Formby Are Promoted
Sat 26th April 2014 | Formby | By Ian Templeman
Formby won promotion to the Premier Division with a hard fought 1-0 win over Atherton Collieries at Victoria Park.
The result meant that the Squirrels finished equal on points with 1874 Northwich but they clinched the second promotion place thanks to their superior goal difference
With 1874 Northwich having completed their league programme on Thursday night with a 6-0 win over Holker Old Boys to move into second place, the Squirrels knew going into the game that only a win would be good enough, and although they emerged victorious in the end, they were made to work hard by an Atherton Collieries side who created the best of the game's clear cut chances.
After an hour, the deadlock was finally broken when Formby went ahead through an own goal, the ball ending up in the back of the net of a Colls defender after a corner kick deep into the penalty area.
But Colls refused to lie down, and after hitting the inside of the post with 15 minutes to go, they were denied a point in stoppage time by Formby keeper Josh O'Connell who made a terrific save at full stretch from a cracking 25 yard shot.
But the referee ended the game moments later, and amid the celebrations afterwards Formby joint-manager Kev Dally reflected on the game and the season.
"Colls competed very well, although we were a bit nervous, especially in the first half when we did use the ball well, and the lads didn't do what we had told them to do.
"In the second half we were better, and of all the goals to get, we got an own goal, but it was enough in the end.
"I have to congratulate Nelson on winning the league, they deserved to win it, especially with the number of goals they scored. Commiserations to 1874 Northwich too, they ran us very close.
"We made a slow start to the season, and I think that was probably a combination of a bit of a hangover from last year, when we didn't get promotion as champions and maybe a bit of complacency on the part of some of the lads.
"I think some of them might have thought it would be easy as we had won the league last season, but we were coming up against teams who came to play us looking to beat the reigning champions. We lost ground and had to play catch up, but we have a fairly young squad and hopefully they will learn from that and take it into next season.
"We will need to strengthen the squad for next season. The standard of football and the quality of the pitches will be better, and we like to play football so we will be looking for players who fit our style of football. At this stage I'd say our target will have to be mid-table, and then look to push on from there.
"But it's been a good season for us, we have won a cup and promotion, and you have to give all credit to the players".
Formby Programme Editor Merrick Cork added: "It's been a superb season, not only for us but the league as well. It's not just the five top contenders who've been impressive but the standard in the rest of the teams has improved too.
"We knew the run-in would be a tough test - after our first defeat in six months, a ten day period started with a two hours' cup final against a top five side, then three league games against our most serious opponents this season.
"Managing to come away with clean sheets in all three proves not just the strength of our backline but the grit and character of the whole squad.
"But we also saw just how competitive 1874 and Colls are this week too, and you've got to feel for them having consistent form that, in any normal season, would've seen them go up.
"That said, having finished first and second these last two seasons, we're more than ready to step up. Promotion - so good we earned it twice!"
Formby Are Promoted
Sat 26th April 2014 | Formby
By Ian Templeman
Formby won promotion to the Premier Division with a hard fought 1-0 win over Atherton Collieries at Victoria Park.
The result meant that the Squirrels finished equal on points with 1874 Northwich but they clinched the second promotion place thanks to their superior goal difference
With 1874 Northwich having completed their league programme on Thursday night with a 6-0 win over Holker Old Boys to move into second place, the Squirrels knew going into the game that only a win would be good enough, and although they emerged victorious in the end, they were made to work hard by an Atherton Collieries side who created the best of the game's clear cut chances.
After an hour, the deadlock was finally broken when Formby went ahead through an own goal, the ball ending up in the back of the net of a Colls defender after a corner kick deep into the penalty area.
But Colls refused to lie down, and after hitting the inside of the post with 15 minutes to go, they were denied a point in stoppage time by Formby keeper Josh O'Connell who made a terrific save at full stretch from a cracking 25 yard shot.
But the referee ended the game moments later, and amid the celebrations afterwards Formby joint-manager Kev Dally reflected on the game and the season.
"Colls competed very well, although we were a bit nervous, especially in the first half when we did use the ball well, and the lads didn't do what we had told them to do.
"In the second half we were better, and of all the goals to get, we got an own goal, but it was enough in the end.
"I have to congratulate Nelson on winning the league, they deserved to win it, especially with the number of goals they scored. Commiserations to 1874 Northwich too, they ran us very close.
"We made a slow start to the season, and I think that was probably a combination of a bit of a hangover from last year, when we didn't get promotion as champions and maybe a bit of complacency on the part of some of the lads.
"I think some of them might have thought it would be easy as we had won the league last season, but we were coming up against teams who came to play us looking to beat the reigning champions. We lost ground and had to play catch up, but we have a fairly young squad and hopefully they will learn from that and take it into next season.
"We will need to strengthen the squad for next season. The standard of football and the quality of the pitches will be better, and we like to play football so we will be looking for players who fit our style of football. At this stage I'd say our target will have to be mid-table, and then look to push on from there.
"But it's been a good season for us, we have won a cup and promotion, and you have to give all credit to the players".
Formby Programme Editor Merrick Cork added: "It's been a superb season, not only for us but the league as well. It's not just the five top contenders who've been impressive but the standard in the rest of the teams has improved too.
"We knew the run-in would be a tough test - after our first defeat in six months, a ten day period started with a two hours' cup final against a top five side, then three league games against our most serious opponents this season.
"Managing to come away with clean sheets in all three proves not just the strength of our backline but the grit and character of the whole squad.
"But we also saw just how competitive 1874 and Colls are this week too, and you've got to feel for them having consistent form that, in any normal season, would've seen them go up.
"That said, having finished first and second these last two seasons, we're more than ready to step up. Promotion - so good we earned it twice!"
