Club Promoted to Division One

KIRKHAM & WESHAM celebrated promotion just 48 hours after winning their first trophy of the season on Thursday with three second-half goals (writes Howard Jones).

Manager Mick Fuller admitted it had been a long, hard season and the performance at Castleton wasn't one of their best Fuller said: ''Now we can start to look forward to May 11. It was't pretty out there today. It was difficult to get excited at the whistle as it was a disaster in the first-half. ''We were lethargic, lack lustre, call it what you will, but bounced back in the second-half and that showed character.
Indeed Kirkham did find the going somewhat tougher than they might have expected against a side just a place off the foot of the table and when the home side went in front courtesy of a 25th minute strike from Simon Riely, Kirkham knew that they would have to roll up their sleeves to get the result that would take them out of the Second Division after just one season.
Castleton may well have pulled the matt from under their visitors feet four minutes later too, but Warren Edwards missed a header in front of an open goal when Nathan Eastman set up the chance.
But Kirkham had chances to get back in the match before half-time with James Sheppard going nearest when he hit the bar as early as the seventh minute and then on half-time when his shot just flew over with the keeper beaten.
But Kirkham's promotion push got back on track in the 53rd minute and came from a corner on the left from ex-Bamber Bridge star Martin Savigar.
His cross bounced up nicely on the hard surface for Matt Walwyn to nod in the equaliser and 10 minutes later Savigar thumped in the promotion clincher from the edge of the box after a loose ball was cleared out to him.
Substitute Andy Richards sank Castleton's brave display seven minutes from time with a neat header on the line when Ged Smith played in a deft cross, and while the celebrations at the final whistle were somewhat muted, Kirkham, or rather AFC Fylde will be playing in the Vodkat League Division One come next August.

MATCH PLAYED AT: Castleton Sports Ground, Saturday 26th April 2008
Castleton Gabriels 1, Kirkham & Wesham 3 (HT: 1-0)
Scorers: Castleton: Riely 25. Kirkham & Wesham: Walwyn 53, Savigar 63, Richards 83.
Att: 65.

More club news at http://www.afcfylde.co.uk/

Last Edited: 27/04/2008