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Reece Skelton

Pressure builds on manager as Valley stumble to poor defeat

By Match Report

SATURDAY 24TH JANUARY 2026
CHESHIRE FOOTBALL LEAGUE ONE

Mersey Valley

MERSEY VALLEY

0
Styal

STYAL

3

MATCH REPORT

A hugely disappointing team performance and a fourth straight defeat saw Mersey Valley well beaten by Styal team that fully deserved their three points at Banky Lane on Saturday.

The result puts more pressure on manager Jon Hudson after a disappointing season which has seen the side struggle to adapt to life in League One.

After a closely fought cup game with Newton-le-Willows last weekend confidence should have been high going into the game – new signings Arthur Gibson and Ted Palmer-Atkins were both named on the bench.

The home side started well, Mike Woolley nearly caught the keeper off his line but he scrambled back to make a smart save.

Styal look the lead on 15 minutes, another defensive error gave the ball away and it was a simple finish from inside the box.

It was a close game, Valley nearly equalised when James Matthews created an opening from himself and his shot was brilliant saved low down by the keeper.

One-minute later it was 2-0, another error as Valley gave the ball away in the midfield and Styal broke to beat keeper Sam Phillips.

Valley couldn’t get going, it took 40 minutes for them to get a good passing move going but they failed to create a clear opening.

HT: Mersey Valley 0 Styal 2

The home side started the second half stronger more possession but an alarming lack of quality in the final third.

Styal soaked up the pressure and despite more of the ball Valley failed to create a good opportunity.

Youngster Chris Antoniades was brought on for his full league debut for the club and Palmer-Atkins made his second debut replacing an out-of-sorts Green.

Styal put any chance of a come back to bed when the impressive Joe Knight smashed the ball into the back of the net and the game was done.

FT: Mersey Valley 0 Styal 3

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MATCH STATS

MVFC: Phillips, Howarth (Renshaw), Taafe (Antoniades), Skelton, Greenwood, Roach, Green (Palmer-Atkins), Adams, Matthews (Fraine), Riley (Gibson), Woolley

Booked: Roach

Referee: Andy Ollerenshaw

MAN OF THE MATCH

REECE SKELTON

Calm and composed surrounded by chaos at times, worked hard to control the midfield. Has been the most consistent performer all season.

POST MATCH

January 27, 2026
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Cup classic as Valley leave it late

By First Team, Match Report

SATURDAY 25TH JANUARY 2025
ALTRINCHAM & DISTRICT FA CUP
SECOND ROUND

BAGULEY ATHLETIC RESERVES

5

MERSEY VALLEY

6

MATCH REPORT

An out-of-sorts Mersey Valley made it through to the Quarter Finals of the Altrincham & District FA Cup after a crazy 11-goal thriller with Baguley Reserves.

Adams opened the scoring with a header

The game played on a dreadful pitch was lively from the start. Mersey took the lead when Owen Adams headed home from a Riley corner. However, the home side quickly levelled things up after an error keeper Brad Cooke.

The referee then awarded Baguley a penalty after judging Cooke had brought down the striker, a decision that baffled most of the Mersey Valley players. The penalty was dispatched, and the home side now led.

The lead didn’t last long, Goldrick with a brilliant switch to Mike Woolley who cut inside and fired the ball past the keeper to make it 2-2.

There was time for one more goal and another controversial decision by the keeper. The Baguley striker looked offside but the official waved play on and he kept his calm to slot the ball past Cooke.

HT: Baguley Athletic Reserves 3 Mersey Valley 2

Valley made a chance at half-time. Wilson replaced Goldrick, who was struggling with a knee injury with Jordan Downing being moved further forward.

In-form Mike Woolley with another 2 goals including a brilliant second.

Valley started well and was soon level with the goal of the game from Mike Woolley, cutting inside and unleashing a brilliant curling shot over the keeper into the roof of the net.

Valley then took the lead, a lovely move that ended with Riley curling a brilliant cross to the back post, that was met by a fantastic diving header from Adams.

Both sides were throwing everything into the game but the home side got the next goal, a bizarre free-kick cross that sailed over everyone into the back of the net and then they took the lead with a breakaway goal smashed past Cooke.

Time was running out, but Valley regrouped and showed their quality. Firstly, Downing was on the ball to seize on an error and fire the ball past the keeper, and then, with the game minutes away from a penalty shoot-out, Reece Skelton saw his shot deflected past the keeper into the back of the net to seal the comeback and the victory,

All credit to Baguley who didn’t really deserve to lose the game.

HT: Baguley Athletic Reserves 5 Mersey Valley 6

MATCH STATS

BAGULEY ATHLETIC RESERVES 5
MERSEY VALLEY 6

MVFC: Cooke, Howarth, Dignan, Evans, Greenwood, Downing, Goldrick (Chaddock) (Wilson), Adams, Riley, Skelton, Woolley
Subs Not Used: Renshaw, Acton, Downey

Goals: Adams 6, 60, Woolley 19, 54, Downing 83, Skelton 89

Booked: Woolley, Cooke

Referee: Honghai Chu

MAN OF THE MATCH

JOEL RILEY

A captains performance from Riley – worked hard and also assisted three of the goals. Has been one of the most consistent performers all season and now has 18 goal contributions in all competitions.

January 26, 2025
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