HOLKER OLD BOYS (Rakesmoor Lane)

FA VASE 1ST QUALIFYING ROUND, HOLKER OLD BOYS 3-0 NORTON & STOCKTON ANCIENTS, ATTENDANCE: 54

After initial plans for a trip across the English Channel to Guernsey fell through, I decided to revert to my original plan which was a trip north to Barrow-in-Furness for some FA Vase action.

I had been meaning to visit Holker Old Boys for years but for some reason I just never got around to it, so today it was finally time! The clash was North West Counties v Northern League (two of my favourite leagues) as Holker took on Norton & Stockton Ancients.

Holker Old Boys’ Football Club was founded in 1936 as an under 16 side from the 'Old Boys' of Holker Central Secondary School on Holker Street in Barrow-in-Furness. The school has long since gone but the name lives on through the football team.

The club became an 'adult' club in 1939, joining the West Lancashire League in 1967 before joining the North West Counties League in 1991.

The club play at Rakesmoors Lane, having moved there in 1971. The ground has a small stand in the top corner of the ground and the pitch has a very pronounced slope. Today though both teams played some of their best stuff playing up the hill.

It was a comfortable win for Holker as they scored three goals without reply. If it wasn't for the woodwork and some poor finishing the scoreline may have been worse for the Ancients. 

Their cause wasn't helped by playing the last quarter of the game with 10 men after substitute Steven Barker was dismissed for kicking out at a Holker player.

Jordan Brough gave The Stags the lead after 15 minutes before second half goals from 

Nathan Reid (60) and Jamie Pattinson (89) saw Holker through where they will now play another Northern League team, Durham City, in the next round.