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With five FA Cup ties within a five-mile radius of Stalybridge station, (though not all allowed to admit spectators) JCFC was spoilt for choice. The initial selection was Staly Celtic against Longridge, but the home side was dilatory in posting details of arrangements and Longridge announced that there would be no tickets available on the day. Celtic eventually posted that it would be possible to pay at the gate, but by then alternative arrangements had been made. After plentiful rain during the night JCFC left Brighouse in the lightest of drizzles. You can say what you like about those strange folk on the other side of the Pennines, but you have to hand it to them: they do know how to do rain properly. The usual walk up the hill was therefore abandoned in favour of a couple of buses, changing at Ashton's glossy new bus station - or Interchange as it is now known - arriving very early for

Saturday 3rd October 2020
FA Cup 2nd Qualifying Round
Ashton United   0   v   4   South Shields
Liam Corrigan (Liverpool); Keith Martin, Darren Whitfield.

Clean-shaven Mr Corrigan looked (and probably was) considerably younger than his two bearded assistants. All three braved the elements in short sleeves, but with the added protection of their County badge - though Mr Corrigan's went AWOL after the interval. A 7th minute foul and protest earned the Ashton number 7 a warning, with his second offence on 13 minutes drawing a yellow card - deemed harsh by the Ashton faithful, but if the warning is not heeded... In between, Ashton claimed a handball penalty, correctly denied, and at the subsequent break Mr Corrigan impressed by running to the chief claimant to demonstrate that arms were firmly by the side. Shields gained the upper hand, creating two good chances and on 25 minutes a long crossfield ball to where one might expect the right back to have been, found a Shields attacker unmarked and he was able to run on unchallenged and beat the keeper to give his side the lead. Before restarting, Mr Corrigan had to have words with the Ashton bosses: the half-time story was that the attacker had been offside, though JCFC's instant verdict, albeit not from dead in line, was that he was onside. Shields extended their lead on 32 minutes, the Ashton number 7, mindful of his card, had to wave the runner past and another pass to the left set up a shooting chance, impressively accepted. Within a minute the Shields number 4 was running clear and went down when hampered, but Mr Corrigan decided that it was merely a coming together and waved (limited) appeals away. The Shields number 11 escaped sanction when he prevented a free-kick from being taken a minute later. With a little heat just starting to creep into the game - there was much onfield discussion over a drop-ball restart after play had been stopped for an injury - and Mr Corrigan was wise to show a yellow to the Shields number 3 for coming through the back of an opponent. Ashton finally forced the keeper into a save - which was effected without difficulty.

A minute after the restart the Ashton number 10 was heading goalwards when he went down and was shown a yellow for simulation. There was some logic in home fans' question as to why he would, but there was no apparent contact. Perhaps it was merely a slip on the wet surface - it would not have been the only one - or perhaps Mr Corrigan was actually correct, as there was little real argument. Shields continued to look dangerous, but spooned a glorious opportunity out of the ground and when the Shields number 9 outpaced the Ashton number 5 the keeper managed to block the shot. A defensive slip allowed Ashton a chance, the ball going out off the top of the bar - Ashton thought with the help of the keeper, though the officials did not. That apart, the nearest an Ashton player came to getting his name on the scoresheet came just after the hour when a defender headed only just over his own bar. Shields soon added their third, an angled shot going in off the keeper and their number 6 received a yellow card. The Shields sub raced 40 yards on before Mr Martin arrived to do the formalities and had to be sent back. A challenge on the far side of the field led Mr Corrigan to produce an instant red card for an Ashton player, who trooped off with no observable indication of dudgeon. Shields completed the scoring with a header from a corner on 86 minutes. As in the first half, the added time was 0 minutes, which, given the score-line, was probably sensible.

Mr Corrigan's slight tendency to stoop sometimes gave his movement a tentative air - steady, not spectacular - but in his handling of the match he was confident. He had plenty to say, but then it would be a rare Liverpudlian who didn't possess the gift of the gab. It clearly served him well, as the fist touches at the final whistle seemed genuine and Mr Corrigan received a friendly pat on the shoulder from a Shields player as they eventually left the field. It had been a good afternoon's work and JCFC would certainly be happy to see him again, though perhaps not quite putting him in the "would travel to watch him" category.

Unfortunately all five of the Tameside clubs went out of the Competition at this stage. It looks likely that there will be no further chances to take in FA Cup ties this season, the next round coming once more  in midweek and with increasing numbers of matches behind closed doors. Still, next weekend brings the Vase.


There was, however, an upside to the afternoon (apart from a seamless journey home) as Brighouse Town climbed off the foot of the table, above Ossett United and City of Liverpool, without having a match themselves as a result of Droylden's withdrawal from the League. They obviously fare better when they don't play - what a pity that they will be in action tomorrow night!