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PERFECT BIRTHDAY GIFT AS VALLEY THRASH NOMADS

By First Team, Match Report

SATURDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2025
CHESHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE ONE

Mersey Valley

MERSEY VALLEY

8

Riley 7
Own Goal 22
Matthews 42, 51
Deering 45
Woolley 63
Goldrick 71 (pen), 90

Cheadle Heath Nomads

NOMADS RES

1

Weston 72

MATCH REPORT

Mersey Valley gave manager Jon Hudson the perfect 50th birthday gift with a brilliant performance and a comprehensive victory over Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves.

Hudson made two changes from the side that lost at Knutsford – Renshaw and Taaffe both unlucky to miss out – Roach and Sam Deering recalled to the starting line-up.

The home side started well and took the lead after 7 minutes with a lovely flowing move, Howarth breaking down the left, Matthews with a clever flick into the path of Riley, who finished with a smart shot.

In-form Mike Woolley was involved down the left, his superb run and cross set up Deering, but his shot hit the post. Dignan then set up Woolley again, he fired over a great low cross which was turned into his own net by the Nomads’ number 5.

Nomads started to gain more possession, Stephenson dropping into good positions and looking dangerous, but Greenwood and Roach stood firm, and Gorst made two good saves.

The game swung in the final five minutes of the first half. Nomads had a corner, Gorst cleared with a strong punch, a quick break, and Deering put Matthews in the clear. The striker kept his nerve and beat the keeper.

Then, in added-on time, Howarth created the chance for Deering, who smashed the ball past the keeper to give the home side a 4-0 lead at the break.

HT: Mersey Valley 4 Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves 0

Valley flew out of the blocks in the second half – another good move, Skelton feeding Matthews, who grabbed his second of the match.

The sixth goal arrived just after the hour, Woolley scoring directly from a corner. Changes followed with all five Mersey subs coming onto the pitch.

A great run from Lincoln Green resulted in the young winger being brought down in the box – Goldrick stepped up with a well-taken penalty to make it 7-0.

From the kick off, Nomads grabbed a goal back after a nice move.

The game ended with the goal of the game, Renshaw setting up Goldrick, who smashed the ball past the keeper from the edge of the box to round off a very satisfactory afternoon for Mersey Valley.

FT: Mersey Valley 8 Cheadle Heath Nomads Reserves 1

MATCH STATS

MVFC: Gorst, Howarth (Renshaw), Dignan, German, Greenwood, Roach (Taafe), Deering (Palmer-Atkins), Skelton, Matthews (Goldrick), Riley, Woolley (Green)

Booked: None

Referee: Claudiu Tabacaru

MAN OF THE MATCH

JAMES MATTHEWS

James Matthews

An excellent team performance but striker Matthews takes the man of the match award – two goals at key moments in the game and another strong performance in the centre forward role, 3 in 4 games now since moving into the role.

POST MATCH

LATE HEARTBREAK AS KNUTSFORD CLAIM THE VICTORY

By First Team, Match Report

SATURDAY 25TH OCTOBER 2025
CHESHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE ONE

Knutsford

KNUTSFORD

1

Wilbraham 85

Mersey Valley

MERSEY VALLEY

0

MATCH REPORT

A much-improved Mersey Valley lost to an 85th minute goal to give in-form Knutsford another win, extending their unbeaten run in the league to six games and move them just two points away from the promotion places.

Jimmy Taafe, signed from Egerton came in to the team for his second debut after playing a handful of games last season. Mark German also made his 20th appearance for the club after he re-joined on a dual-reg from Abbey Hey.

Both sides started well, looking to play football despite high winds but neither side could create any clear chances.

Matthews and Woolley both had half chances, Matthews unlucky after a great run just lost his footing. Knutsford big chance saw McDonagh burst through, but Gorst was out quickly to block the shot.

HT: Knutsford 0 Mersey Valley 0

Both sides continued to work hard to find the opening goal, but Valley continued to defend well, Greenwood and Taafe working hard to block shots and Gorst when needed was strong against the swirling wind.

Matthews had the first big chance of the half, burst into the box before dragging his shot just wide of the post.

A big moment came on 65 minutes, Skelton won the ball and found Matthews who flicked the ball into space for Woolley to run through and score, somehow the referee deemed it to be offside, and his whistle was met with anger from the visitors.

Riley burst through but his early low drive was well saved by the impressive Smith in the Knutsford goal.

With the game heading for a draw the home side struck. Cavanagh curled in a dangerous corner and it somehow bounced and bobbled in, Wilbraham getting the final touch to send the home side in wild celebrations in the corner, Valley players sinking to their knees.

HT: Knutsford 0 Mersey Valley 1

MATCH STATS

MVFC: Gorst, Renshaw (Fraine), Dignan, Howarth, Greenwood, Taafe, Riley (Green), Skelton, Matthews (Goldrick), German, Woolley (Palmer-Atkins)

Knutsford: Smith, Wilbraham, Brotherton, Maunder, Cavanagh, McDonagh, McCabe, Box, Hill, Partington, Sheldon.
Subs: Gee, Wadsworth, Holloway, Gunter

Referee: Chris Stacey

MAN OF THE MATCH

MACAULAY DIGNAN

An excellent performance from all 5 of the defensive players but left-back Dignan stood out with his best display of the season.

POST MATCH

VALLEY END BAD RUN WITH BIG THREE POINTS

By First Team, Match Report

SATURDAY 11TH OCTOBER 2025
CHESHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE ONE

Mersey Valley

MERSEY VALLEY

2
Congleton Town

CONGLETON TOWN RESERVES

1

MATCH REPORT

Mersey Valley produced a spirited team performance to beat Congleton Town Reserves at Banky Lane yesterday.

New signings Tom Brailsford and Noel Aredu were both incuded in the match day squad. Renshaw and Adams both returned to the starting line-up.

The visitors hit first, just 90 seconds in, and a bouncing ball caused confusion in the Valley defence, and Owen smashed home from inside the area.

Valley reacted brilliantly, Skelton flicked on to send Matthews clean through, and he kept his composure to score his first goal for the club. He nearly made it 2-1 after a stunning run but saw his effort cleared off the line.

Congleton looked dangerous down the left-hand side, Harding causing problems, but the Valley defence looked more organised and disciplined and stood firm.

At the other end, Woolley and Adams both had half-chances, but the game reached half-time even with both teams happy with their first-half performances.

HT: Mersey Valley 1 Congleton Town Reserves 1

Both sides started well, Matthews with a mazy run just overran the ball, and Gorst made two good blocks.

The big moment arrived just past the hour, Woolley with a brilliant corner, met by Adams, who powered his header home to give Valley the lead.

Matthews was replaced by debutant Aredu and Palmas-Atkins replaced Woolley who had again put in another fine shift down the left hand side.

A moment of madness from Maccabe saw Congleton reduced to 10 men, a second yellow card for decent, which led to a red card.

However, this seemed to spur the visitors on, who made positive changes in search of an equaliser, but Gorst was on hand to save two tame shots.

The full-time whistle went, and Valley has secured a big win to move above their visitors in the table – but the drama wasn’t over! A confrontation between Adams and Congleton skipper Clews saw the Valley man shown a straight red card, a sour end to such a sweet day.

FT: Mersey Valley 2 Congleton Town Reserves 1

MATCH STATS

MVFC: Gorst, Renshaw, Dignan, Howarth, Greenwood, Roach, Riley, Skelton, Matthews (Arehu), Adams, Woolley (Palmer-Atkins)

Subs Not Used: Phillips, Acton, Brailsford

Sent Off: Adams

Referee: Paul Codling

MAN OF THE MATCH

ALFIE HOWARTH

Moved into central midfield position and had a brilliant game, winning majority of his battles and using the ball well to start dangerous attacks.