MY latest groundhopper blog focuses on two recent matches I attended in the North West Counties League…
Match Information #1
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Burscough 2-1 Litherland REMYCA
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When: Saturday 22nd March 2025
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: The Community Ground, Bobby Langton Way, Burscough, Ormskirk, Lancashire L40 0SD
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Competition: North West Counties League Premier Division
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Attendance: 140
It was national Non-League Day but heavy rain was forecast in many parts of the country so I wanted to groundhop somewhere with an artificial pitch. The 4G carpet at Burscough fitted my needs nicely.
I had previously visited Burscough’s old ground at Victoria Park way back on Saturday 13th August 1983 when they lost 3-2 against Penrith (attendance 110) in North West Counties League action.
However, that arena was demolished for housing in 2021. Accordingly, Burscough moved a short distance to their newly constructed headquarters at The Community Ground.
Bearing everything in mind, I embarked on my 400 mile round trip. Burscough itself is a town catering for 10,000 residents.
Ground Description
Some plastic playing surface Non-League venues are often quite soulless expanses exuding very little club identity. Although I am pleased to report Burscough buck this trend completely having developed a really homely set-up.
The central focal point is a two storey building incorporating the ‘1946 Lounge’ bar - which has a viewing balcony overlooking the pitch - above the ground floor dressing rooms.
Alongside is a glass fronted hospitality suite and a specially built disabled enclosure hut.
There is a grandstand adjoining one touchline and another behind the far goal affording a combined total of 320 seats. Fellow NWCL side Skelmersdale United groundshare here.
Programme Details
A 24 page colour edition priced at £2. The editorial offered welcome notes, club honours and officials/committee list, manager’s views, fixtures, league table, a match report, history of opponents Litherland REMYCA, player sponsorships, pitch booking particulars, clubhouse news and the matchday squads.
The Match
It was 16th versus 19th in the NWCL Premier Division standings so anyone possessing in-depth sports betting knowledge would have expected a tight encounter.
Burscough edged matters thanks to strikes from Matthew Hamilton (3 minutes) and Harry Cannon-Noren (45+1 mins). The scorer for Litherland was Joel Ogiugo (36 mins).
Public address announcements were expertly delivered by a man with a rich American accent and a succession of Merseyrail trains trundled past beyond the far perimeter fencing.
The People
I liked the fact Burscough position a couple of jovial club volunteers outside the main entrance to welcome spectators on arrival.
Everyone I spoke to at The Community Ground was justifiably proud of outreaching community links whereby 300 kids in their youth teams utilise the 4G pitch facilities each week.
Match Information #2
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Ashville 2-1 Alsager Town
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When: Saturday 29th March 2025
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Ray Parker Stadium, Cross Lane, Wallasey, Wirral CH45 8RH
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Competition: North West Counties League First Division South
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Attendance: 116
This game marked Ashville’s 75th anniversary weekend celebrations. Therefore, children under 16 were admitted free to the match accompanied by paying adults.
Additionally, a party was held in the clubhouse afterwards embracing former players and coaching staff. It seemed a good occasion for me to visit so I set off on a 410 mile round trip to Wallasey where nearly 86,000 people are based on the Wirral Peninsula’s north-eastern corner.
I had been to the Wirral several times before to see EFL outfit Tranmere Rovers play plus Non-League fixtures at Vauxhall Motors and Cammell Laird.
Ground Description
Car parking provision is shared with an adjacent rugby club. Inside the Ray Parker Stadium, a stand contains 100 seats and areas of covered standing at either end.
Meanwhile, a stunning mural of Ashville founder John Dennett BEM adorns the clubhouse wall. I spotted him sitting in the bar area and he looks incredibly sprightly at 100 years old.
When originally launching the football team in 1949, John named them after where he lived on Ashville Road in Wallasey.
Programme Details
A 32 page online edition. I’ve since had it professionally printed for my extensive collection of groundhopping memorabilia.
Contents included manager’s message, club honours, sponsorship updates, colour action photos, a link to Ashville’s YouTube channel, ground guide, club merchandise, 75th anniversary celebrations, history of opponents Alsager Town, matchday food menu, fixtures & results and the squad lists for both teams.
The Match
On a rainy afternoon, 7th hosted 8th in the NWCL First Division South table causing any football odds aficionados to expect a close outcome.
Following scoreless first half exchanges, Ashville took control as Mark Madden (59 minutes) and Connor Courtnell (87 mins) scored. Alsager Town replied via a Samuel Oko 25 yard thunderbolt (90+6 mins) albeit this was literally the last kick of proceedings.
The People
An extremely friendly club. Ashville’s enthusiastic media officer John Parker invited me up for the game and answered all my questions about his beloved team.
Football grounds visited: 2,626.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
