Match Information
-
Foley Meir 2-3 Winsford United
-
When: Saturday 16th November 2024
-
Kick-off: 3pm
-
Where: Trentham Foods Stadium, Whitcombe Road, Meir, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire ST3 6AU
-
Competition: North West Counties League First Division South
-
Attendance: 88
The North West Counties League is one of my favourite competitions.
It covers an extensive area of more than 160 miles stretching from the Midlands right up to Cumbria’s coastline and a warm welcome is always guaranteed at the various member clubs.
Foley Meir had reappeared on my groundhopping radar this year having returned to Step 6 of our National League System.
They had previously been relegated out of the NWCL in 2022/23 assuming Regional Feeder League status in the Staffordshire County Senior League yet bounced straight back after a solitary season qualifying for promotion by finishing third in the Staffs Premier Division.
Therefore a visit was much anticipated and I set off on my 280 mile round trip utilising the M1 motorway and the cross-country A50. No traffic delays unfolded so driving was completed in under three hours.
The host club were originally founded as Foley FC in 1947 and the ‘Meir’ suffix was added later because they moved to their current ground in Meir during 1982. Meir itself is a suburb of Stoke-on-Trent, located five miles south-east of the city centre.
Ground Description
I really liked this set-up due to a proper traditional Non-League feel oozing plenty of character. Access is via Whitcombe Road cul-de-sac (signposted “Private Street”) winding towards the club car park.
On entering Trentham Foods Stadium, a steep downhill path leads to pitchside and the distinctive grandstand housing 150 tip-up seats in three rows called ‘The MW Construction Stand’.
Further covered accommodation lies across in the very far corner forming the shape of a bicycle shed style structure. Two sides of the arena possess hard standing for spectators.
A recently refurbished clubhouse and dressing rooms building straddles the halfway line. LED floodlights were installed in October 2022. Port Vale FC Women groundshare here too.
Banking at one end provides panoramic views of Stoke-on-Trent. Sponsorship by a nearby Staffordshire meat products company explains the stadium name.
Looking forward, Foley Meir nurture plans for another grandstand and extra hard standing to reach the required ground grading for Step 5 participation.
A major new school is presently being constructed next door and that ongoing development will bring youth and community pitches for the football club including use of a 3G artificial playing surface.
Programme Details
On sale priced £1.50p from Andy at the main gate.
A homespun eight page production containing the manager’s notes, players’ sponsorship details, the history of opponents Winsford United, the latest league table and the line-ups.
In addition, up to date duplicated team sheets were distributed prior to kick-off.
The Match
An advance social media post by the home club drummed up interest in stating:
“IT’S MATCHDAY!...Stoke haven’t got a game and Port Vale are away so get yourself down The Trentham Foods Stadium to get your fix of football today.”
Some light rain arrived in the morning while I was en route but Foley Meir’s pitch was perfect for an encounter featuring 14th entertaining 2nd in the NWCL First Division South rankings.
I’d already seen promotion chasing Winsford United in action earlier this season triumphing 1-0 at Shawbury United on 28th September.
And they carried on their good form against Foley Meir racing into a 3-0 advantage courtesy of Matty Birchall (23 minutes), Ollie McDonough (45+5 mins) and Ollie Pope, penalty (48 mins).
Consequently, anyone enjoying decent football odds knowledge in sports betting markets would’ve certainly fancied an away victory.
Nevertheless, Foley Meir showed remarkable spirit amidst new manager Mark Lawton’s first game in charge to muster two late goals.
Will Tams converted almost identical right footed spot kicks which I witnessed from directly behind the net (79 and 89 minutes).
The People
Everyone I met at Foley Meir was extremely friendly and took great pride in their local football club.
Football grounds visited: 2,608.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
