Match Preview: Charnock Richard v AFC Fylde(Pre Season)25/07/23.
History and Background
The Coasters head south for what will be their penultimate pre-season fixture against North west Counties premier side Charnock Richard. Charnock Richard also known as the villagers were founded in 1933 before reforming in 1955. The Villagers play their home games at Mossie Park, which has an 100 seater stand as well as standing available all around the ground. Charnock have enjoyed a very successful spell in the local leagues winning the Preston and district league on a numerous amount of occasions as well as the west lancashire premier division in 4 consecutive seasons between 2011 and 2015. A 2nd place finish in the 2015-16 season saw them get promoted to the division one north of the North West Counties league structure. They managed to earn promotion at the first time of asking finishing 2nd earning promotion to the premier division where they currently ply their trade. The Villagers earned their first ever North West Counties Challenge cup trophy in the 2021-22 season beating Camell Laird 5-0 in the final.The club has enjoyed pretty successful seasons in the premier division finishing in the top 6 every year apart from the previous season just gone. The Villagers will be looking for a top 6 push once again this season and maybe even automatic promotion.
Current Form:
The Hosts come into this game off a fantastic pre-season losing only once against Lostock St-Gerards. Their last game came only yesterday where they beat league rivals Widnes FC 2-1. This will be the Villagers last game before they start their season and it will be seen as the perfect test against higher opposition. The Coasters come into the game with no win and no goal in their previous 2 outings losing 0-2 to Barrow AFC and drawing 0-0 with FC Halifax Town.
Charnock Richard Management.
Manager- Ryan Donellan
Ryan has been involved with the Charnock Richard setup since he was 15, originally playing for the club and then moving to become the reserves manager. He enjoyed some success as the villagers reserve manager guiding them to a West Lancashire League Challenge Cup. Ryan was eventually given a promotion to the first team in the 2019-20 season and has enjoyed success in the short amount of time he has been manager guiding the Villagers to a high league position as well as winning the North West Counties Challenge Cup in the 2021-22 season. However, this season Ryan will be looking to improve on last season’s mid table finish and aim to get the club back at the top end of the league. However since the departure of record breaking goal scorer Carl Grimshaw in the 2021-22 season who notched nearly a goal per game which is highly impressive after making 400 appearances, Ryan will have to find more than one man to replace his goals.
Key players:
Jordan Darr- The Forward man is an absolute machine at goalscoring. 53 goals in 64 starts for the villagers is some record and will be the man to watch for the Coasters defence. Not the typical aggressive striker only being awarded 2 yellow cards in his Charnock Richard career, Darr is still a real handful and could potentially do a job at a higher side.
Mark Woods- Midfield general Woods is in his 10th consecutive season with the villagers since joining back in 2013. 236 Appearances including 2 appearances for the reserve side, Woods will be seen as one of the more senior lads in the side which will be crucial if the Villagers wish to put a promotion push in.
Ross O’farrell- Another experienced man this time in the defensive region of the pitch. 264 games for the club since making his debut in 2009, Ross has seen to become somewhat of a regular in the Villagers side. With the experience and goals that these 3 players bring, the spine of the team is already there, just needs some youth and a little experience of winning trophies around them and this squad could go all the way.
Recent Transfers:
Rustam Stephens- The attacking midfielder joined in late June from Atherton Laburnum Rovers and has already impressed scoring goals for fun in his pre-season outings so far.
Oliver Molloy- Another midfielder who joined on the same day from Fulwood Amateurs. A solid midfielder will prove an excellent option for the Villagers and will certainly add to an already strong squad.
Previous meetings:
This will be the first meeting between the 2 sides.
Ex Coasters:
Owen Green- Green enjoyed a spell in the Coasters academy and developments side whilst also being on dual registration with Charnock Richard FC.
Mossie Park
Charnock Richard have posted this guide on the club website about visiting Mossie Park.....
