Freshfield F.C.'s first season in the First Division was an often frustrating affair. There were two new players, Damian Nolan and Chris Jones, and a nearly new player in Dave Brooks who played his first full season for the club. A combination of injuries, unavailability and the occasional change in formation meant that the same X1 never started two consecutive games. But what really marked the season was an almost unfailing inconsistency of form and an overwhelming sense of under achievement.
There were many highlights. The defeat of last year's champions, Bedford Rangers, at Formby's new ground in Altcar Lane was a fantastic achievement, and the performance in beating Scarisbrick Hotel 4-0 at home was immaculate. Although the defeat at the Ainsdale Club in October was Freshfield's 5th defeat in a year against Ainsdale, Ainsdale were outplayed for most of the game and to come so close against this season's champions was again a very good effort. Perhaps more than anything the performances against the teams placed lower in the league were where the real frustration set in. The home defeat against Koronet and the two thrashings from local rivals Formby Dons were the low points. The loss to Second Division Blowick in the Tom Rimmer Cup Final was in many ways representative of a season where the many achievements off the pitch overshadowed the frankly disappointing achievements on it.
When the ever dependable Chris Balshaw was unfit Paul Hayes put in some excellent performances at left-back. Nolan, combative and vocal, showed his commitment to his new club by playing on the morning after his wedding. Injuries to Steve Makinson, player of the year for the last 3 seasons, mean that he never had the chance to prove himself at the top level and he looks to have played his last game for the club. Similarly last year's leading goalscorer Andy Sutton missed the whole season through injury and has also moved to pastures new. Tommy Smith, though determined as ever, did not quite do himself justice and he again was hampered by injury.
The revelation of the season was Tony Lynch, who scored most goals and also won the Most Improved Player award. He looked twice the player he used to be and became one of the first names on the teamsheet. He too, will be sorely missed. Mike Kemp was a tower of strength at right back and his spectacular volley at Ainsdale was probably the goal of the season. If he manages to curb his aggressive tendencies he will certainly go on to captain this team. In midfield Dave Brooks, when fit, was an inspirational force and spurred all around him to better perfromances. Brian McGlynn, in a somewhat Mcmamanmesque fashion, was unstoppable against weaker teams and set up many many goals, but just lacked a little bit of consistency. Likewise Simon Richards recaptured his excellent form of last season only in fits and starts. Chris Jones sometimes flattered to deceive, but his would have seemed a much more impressive first season if the ball had gone in off the post more often than it rebounded outwards. Work commitments and injury made Graeme Davies's appearances more infrequent than usual and he needed a consistent run to find his true form. In goal Nigel Power interspersed some excellent performances, most notably against Scarisbrick Hotel in the cup, with more than his usual number of eccentricities and errors. His season, like the team's, needed a good deal more consistency.
Click on any result below for a full match report, or here for the League Table.
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Date |
Fixture/Result |
Competition |
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15/9/02 |
League |
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22/9/02 |
League |
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29/9/02 |
League |
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6/10/02 |
League |
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13/10/02 |
Infirmary Cup |
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20/10/02 |
League |
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27/10/02 |
League |
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3/11/02 |
League |
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10/11/02 |
League |
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17/11/02 |
League |
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24/11/02 |
League |
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1/12/02 |
League |
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15/12/02 |
Tom Rimmer Cup |
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22/12/02 |
League |
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12/1/03 |
League |
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26/1/03 |
League |
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2/2/03 |
League |
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9/2/03 |
League |
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16/2/03 |
League |
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23/2/03 |
League |
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16/3/03 |
Tom Rimmer Cup |
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10/4/03 |
League |
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13/4/03 |
League |
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3/5/03 |
Tom Rimmer Cup Final |
Southport and District Sunday League
Division 1 - Final Table - 2002/2003
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