BLACKPOOL WREN ROVERS (Bruce Park)

WEST LANCASHIRE LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, BLACKPOOL WREN ROVERS 2-1 VICKERSTOWN, ATTENDANCE: 47 (h/c)

After a season long break, it's a warm welcome back from me!

2020 has certainly been an 'annus horribilis' thus far with this awful Covid-19 causing misery around the globe, leading to normality being suspended as a nationwide lockdown occurred. 

Football was curtailed in March and, with the odd exception, non-league was null and voided. After a break of six months, competitive action returned this weekend as most leagues at step 5 and below began playing once more. It has certainly helped my mental health having a game to look forward to on a Saturday afternoon.

I decided on a trip up to the Fylde coast to watch Blackpool Wren Rovers, who play at step 7 on the pyramid, as they were taking on Vickerstown at Bruce Park. Very generously, it was free admission this afternoon but there was no paperwork, if that's your thing.

The ground is on School Road, on the South Shore of Blackpool, and is one of three grounds within yards of each other. Squires Gate is literally over the fence (see pictures below) whilst AFC Blackpool are located 400 yards away on Jepson Way.

Bruce Park is all standing, with cover on all four sides. There is plenty of room to social distance! Some parts of the ground are probably in need of a little TLC but I really liked the set up here.

Blackpool Wren Rovers were founded in 1931 and were originally known as Wren Rovers before changing their name to Blackpool Rovers in 1990. They were founder members of the West Lancashire League in 1959 and of the North West Counties League in 1982.

Financial constraints led to the club taking voluntary demotion back to the West Lancashire League in 1998 where they changed their name again, this time to Blackpool Wren Rovers.

The game was an entertaining affair, which was largely dominated by the home side. However Vickerstown, who are based in Barrow-in-Furness, were resolute in their defending whilst Rovers were profligate in attack. The deadlock was eventually broken after 35 minutes when an unmarked Anthony Pearson stooped to head home from a corner (pictured below).

The second half continued in a similar fashion but Rovers failed to extend their lead and, as what usually happens, the side under pressure get their chance and score. Vickerstown bagged an equaliser on 70 minutes through Jackson Round.

The game moved into the final ten minutes and it seemed the draw was the more likely outcome but another corner kick was headed home by Chris Morris to give Blackpool a winning start to the season.