Following the 7-1 win over Congleton Town, The Silkmen travel to Kirkham and Wesham for the second pre-season game of the season.
K & W play in the West Lancashire League, which is a feeder league for the North West Counties Football League.
Last season they enjoyed complete domination of the division. Playing 30 games, winning 25 and drawing five. A goal difference of +77 game from scoring 96 goals and conceding only 19 as they finished an incredible 18 points ahead of second placed Charnock Richard.
Kirkham and Wesham are currently on a 61 match unbeaten run in league and cup matches.
Although they have won the division six times in the last seven years (finishing second in 2001/02) they have not been promoted. It is a situation which will be familiar to supporters of the Silkmen as they have been denied promotion on the basis of the quality of their ground. Floodlights, a minimum sized stand and perimeter fencing was required for them to make the deserved step up to the next level.
Promotion from the division is subject to their grounds meeting the NWCFL’s requirements and with this in mind, a new ground has been built.
The club have played at Coronation Road in Kirkham since their formation (via a merger between Kirkham Town and Wesham) in the late 1980`s. This public pitch, which backed onto the railway was their home until the last game of last season.
A new ground has now been built with a view to developing it to the standard required by the higher division and the Silkmen will be the first opponents to play at this new venue. The game has come about through Martin Bullock who is a friend of one of the coaches at Kirkham and Wesham. Entry to the game will be £5.00 with a programme included.
The ground is situated behind the Birley Arms Pub at the junction of Bryning Lane and Church Road in Warton.
MAP
By Train: 11.57 to Stockport, then the 12.19 to Kirkham and Wesham arrives at 13.25.
Kirkham station is about four miles from the new ground. A local taxi firm will be providing a shuttle service from the station to games if there is enough interest. Call Kirkham Macs on 01772 683 003. Alternatively, take a bus from Preston towards Blackpool which will take you through Warton.
By Car: The new ground is now NOT in Kirkham it is in WARTON… which lies 3.8 miles from the old ground.
EXIT via Junction 3 M55 (signposted A585 Fleetwood/Kirkham). Up approach and turn left towards signs saying Kirkham.
In around 3/4 mile you will approach a roundabout. Do not take Kirkham signs from now on, but follow Wrea Green and Lytham St. Annes (2nd exit) B5259.
In around 1/4 mile you will go over main Preston/Blackpool railway bridge and drop down almost immediately to a small mini roundabout (pub on left called Kingfisher). Carry on straight over this and up to main roundabout (another 200 yards) at junction of main Preston/Blackpool A583. Go straight over roundabout and drive on into Wrea Green village.
At 2nd mini roundabout in the centre of the village (Church on right and School) take left turn into Bryning Lane, signposted on ?The Green¹ (small white signpost) to Warton (2miles).
The Green will now be on your right as you exit out of the village and in around 1.8 miles you will come to the Birley Arms Pub on your left. Drive past and turn immediately left into pub car park.
The new ground is behind the pub and park here. There should be signs up on the day and people will direct you.
Approximate mileage from motorway to the new ground is around 5 miles and will take around 10 minutes in a car to travel.
ALTERNATIVE ROUTE: is via coastal road from Preston towards Lytham St. Annes (A584) and at junction of traffic lights with BAE Aerospace (airport on left) at Warton turn right into Church Lane and in 1/4 mile you will approach the Birley Arms Pub on your right. Turn right into car park before pub and park here.
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