Match Information
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South Liverpool 1-1 Lincoln United (Lincoln United FC won 5-3 on penalties)
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When: Saturday 13th January 2024
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Kick-off: 3pm
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Where: Jericho Lane Community Football and Fitness Hub, Otterspool, Liverpool L17 5AL
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Competition: The Isuzu FA Vase Fourth Round Proper
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Attendance: 352
I needed to pick a match for another day of filming on behalf of FA Vase sponsors Isuzu fulfilling my roaming reporter duties.
One team stood out in terms of excellent historical pedigree – South Liverpool FC. It greatly helped my choice that the club play on 3G artificial turf so there was no chance of a last gasp postponement due to inclement weather.
South Liverpool were founded in April 1935 to serve the city’s increasing south side population. Based at Holly Park in Garston, they swiftly became a leading Non-League outfit.
Affectionately nicknamed ‘South’, the club unsuccessfully applied for election to the Football League on 10 occasions in times preceding automatic promotion. The aim was to have a third high quality local professional team complementing Everton and Liverpool.
During later years, use of Holly Park was lost in 1989 and severe financial problems caused South Liverpool to fold two years afterwards.
Nevertheless, loyal supporters quickly relaunched their club. South eventually joined the North West Counties League in 2021 as West Cheshire League champions.
Incidentally, I am mindful my own true love Queens Park Rangers actually appeared at Holly Park in an FA Cup Second Round tie on Saturday 12th December 1936. Alfred Fitzgerald’s goal gave QPR a 1-0 victory over the Lancashire Combination hosts before a near capacity crowd of 6,000.
Furthermore, I personally visited Holly Park on Good Friday 5th April 1985 when South Liverpool lost 1-0 to Hyde United (attendance 250) in the Northern Premier League. I vividly remember admiring a brilliant elevated wooden grandstand which perched on old school terracing.
Anyway, with these nostalgic ingredients in mind I set off on my 400 mile round trip to watch the contemporary South Liverpool via M1, M6 and M62 motorways.
To my surprise, those routes were totally clear of traffic delays so I reached Otterspool early to meet my cameraman Paul in the football car park literally adjoining the River Mersey.
Ground Description
Located under three miles from the bygone footprint of Holly Park, Jericho Lane Sports Hub opened in 2018 forming part of the national ‘Parklife’ project incorporating a £20 million investment into grassroots football across Liverpool.
This received funding courtesy of The Football Association, The Premier League and Sport England plus a Liverpool City Council contribution and was delivered by the Football Foundation.
Jericho Lane features two full size synthetic pitches for the benefit of surrounding community members.
Indeed, I noticed plenty of youngsters enjoying training sessions on my arrival. South Liverpool utilise ‘Pitch 1’. A sturdy 50-seater grandstand sits behind one goal with covered standing for 100 down one touchline.
Three sides of the arena provide spectator access. In addition, gym and educational facilities are on site.
Programme Details
A fantastic 32 page production selling for £2 at the hub building’s main entry desk.
I particularly liked reading the recollections on South Liverpool’s three game FA Trophy saga back in 1987/88 against Lincoln United’s neighbours Lincoln City.
The Match
The media build-up described: “South’s biggest match in 30 years.” Accordingly, both teams boasted fine league form respectively.
South Liverpool sat second in the North West Counties League First Division North and were relishing their best ever Isuzu FA Vase run - one of just five Step 6 representatives left in the competition.
Meanwhile, Lincoln United were top of the United Counties League Premier Division North at Step 5 on an incredible 20 match winning run throughout all competitions dating to October 3rd.
There was so much interest in this Vase tie that people were still queueing to get in 10 minutes after kick-off. Matters were assisted because Everton and Liverpool were not in action.
On the pitch, we witnessed tense exchanges amidst light drizzle. With persistent cries of “Come on South’ ringing out, the homesters forged ahead four minutes prior to half-time by virtue of Owen Hough’s dipping right flank free-kick deflecting into the far corner.
However, Jack Mcmenemy mustered a close range finish to equalise for Lincoln United in the 57th minute delighting 100 travelling fans. Decent chances subsequently unfolded at either end but the sides couldn’t be separated and so it was straight to penalties beyond the final whistle.
Billy Brooks confidently tucked away what turned out to be the decisive kick giving Lincoln United a 5-3 triumph thereby sparking jubilant celebrations.
The People
South Liverpool possess some notable long-standing volunteers who extended a really friendly welcome to everyone present.
Gary Langley, Jim Stanway and Malcolm Flanagan very helpfully made meticulous arrangements for our Isuzu filming.
Also, the North West Counties League’s enthusiastic chairman Paul Lawler came looking for me to shake my hand.
And I spotted the Republic of Ireland legend John Aldridge in attendance alongside other ex-Liverpool stars Sammy Lee and Jason McAteer.
It was wonderful to see Aldridge acknowledging his humble roots by fulfilling the official match sponsor’s role. He began his illustrious career as a young striker scoring repeatedly for South Liverpool in the late 1970’s.
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Tony Incenzo*
