Busy Pre-Season...But The Real Football Starts Soon!

It only feels like five minutes since the football season ended, but here we are!

The last competitive action that I filmed was back in May when I travelled to Padiham to cover the East Lancs Football League cup finals!

On the day, there two games. First up, in the early kick off, Mill Hill Reserves beat Langho Reserves 4-1 in the Bob Little Trophy final.

Next up was the the Presidents Cup final between Mill Hill and Rimington.

The game finished 1-1, taking this closely fought cup final to a penalty shootout, which Rimington eventually won 4-3.

From a football filming perspective, that it was for me for the season!

Ironically, Rimington were the first team I filmed in 2022, and on the final day they were the last team I covered during the 2021/22 season too!

And, they actually came out on top in both matches! Maybe I am lucky charm for the club!

Pre-Season Friendlies

Pre-season seemed to just creep up on us this year, and the first game that I filmed this summer was between Burnley United and a young Macclesfield FC XI.

While it was a Macclesfield side largely made up of academy players and trialists, it was a very close and competitive game, which the visitors ended up winning 4-2.

Just for the record, Robbie Savage wasn't there!

The very next day I was back on the road once more, this time travelling to Fleetwood Town's Poolfoot Farm training ground where they played a behind-closed-doors friendly with Tranmere Rovers.

I normally stick to grassroots and non league football, but it was good to be invited down to film a game involving teams from EFL League 1 and EFL League 2.

Apart from the analysis teams from both clubs, there was nobody else filming the match so this video proved to be quite popular with fans of both clubs.

It was in fact manager Scott Brown's first game in charge of Fleetwood, so the video gave supporters an early glimpse of how he wants his side to play throughout the coming season.

There were also a few Celtic fans who watched and commented on the video as well! Brown is a Bhoys legend, after all!

In the end, the game finished 2-2, with Fleetwood equalising late on!

On July 6th, I was out and about again, this time covering the Fylde coast derby between AFC Blackpool and a Blackpool XI.

Again, this was a very young Blackpool team, which was mainly made up of Blackpool FC Academy players, but they more than held their own against the North West Counties side.

The Blackpool youngsters took the lead thanks to a 6th minute Brad Holmes tap in, but non league AFC Blackpool equalised in the 90th minute to snatch a draw, Jacob Gregory with the goal.

I always enjoy filming games at Jepson Way, it's one of my favourite grounds to visit, and on this occasion the sun was out for a change! It's usually pouring down and freezing when I film there in the winter!

Then, on Saturday, I travelled to Tottington United to cover their game with Walshaw Sports FC in the St Anne's Trophy.

It was the first time that I've filmed either of these two teams, and it really was a great day!

I was made to feel really welcome by both teams, and I even caught up with someone from another team who I'd filmed in the past!

It's a small world!

It was a family day, the sun was out and everyone was in a good mood.

They even played the Champions League music as the teams walked out!

The game itself was a local derby with both teams from the Bury area, and it was definitely played like one!

There were certainly a few tackles going in! But nothing too serious or over the top!

In the end, Walshaw Sports came away with a 6-3 win, and there were a few memorable goals scored on the day!

So, that's my pre-season so far!

I've still got a few more games to go, and I plan on covering as many teams as possible!

I'm aiming to have a busy season and will be filming games in the West Lancs Football League, the East Lancs Football League, the Mid Lancs Football League, the North Lancs Football League, the North West Counties, Westmorland Football League, the Manchester Football League and countless others!

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