Thornton Cleveleys Football Club

A tough afternoon for the ladies, but one where the team can certainly hold their heads high after showing plenty of fight, determination and togetherness.

The first half was a closely fought battle, with both teams working hard and chances at a premium. We went into the break 0–0, knowing there was still everything to play for.

Blackpool came out strongly after the restart and managed to break the deadlock, making it 1–0. They then doubled their advantage from the penalty spot to put themselves 2–0 ahead.

But the ladies refused to give up. 💪

We dug deep, kept battling and were rewarded when Amber Nicholson found the back of the net to bring us right back into the game at 2–1. The goal gave the team renewed belief, and we continued to push and fight for an equaliser.

Unfortunately, despite our efforts and some great determination right through to the final whistle, an unlucky goal in the closing minutes made it 3–1 and put the result beyond us.

The scoreline doesn’t reflect the effort and commitment shown by the team. There were plenty of positives to take, and the fight shown after going 2–0 down was fantastic to see. ❤️⚽️

👏 PLAYER OF THE MATCH: VICKY TJ
A great performance and thoroughly deserved recognition!

❤️ WELL WISHES TO CARLY ❤️

We’d also like to send our best wishes to Carly, who unfortunately picked up an injury during the game. Everyone at Thornton-Cleveleys Ladies wishes you a speedy recovery — we hope to see you back out there soon! 🙏

There’s no time to dwell on the result. We hold our heads high, take the positives and look ahead.

🔜 NEXT UP: SUNDAY
🏟️ AWAY VS BLACKPOOL TOWN LADIES

Another challenge awaits, and we’ll be ready to go again. 💪🔥

FULL TIME 🔴

Squires Gate 2-2 TCFC

The points are shared on a windy night in Blackpool.

A goal right at the death earning us a point on the road after a scrappy well contested derby game

Goal scorers:
Kyle Higham
Josh Winder

🔴

HALF TIME

Squires Gate 1-0 TCFC

Gate have probably edged this half. A great freekick from the skipper being the difference

A big second half needed from the Reds - need to start getting some shots off

🔵1-0🔴

Countdown to kick off ⏳

Here’s your starting XI for tonight’s away game at Squires Gate

Follow all the live action over on our Twitter

🔴

MATCH DAY 🔴

Squires Gate v TCFC

⏰ 19:45 KO
🏟️ The Skiddle Community Stadium, FY4 5DS
🏆 NWCFL First Division North
🎟️ Adults £7 • Concessions £4 • Under 16’s £2 • Under 5’s Free

A massive game for the lads this evening! Come and show your support 👏🏻

🔴

🔥🔥 TOMORROW NIGHT | 7PM KICK-OFF 🔥🔥

THE WAIT IS OVER. THE SEASON STARTS NOW. ❤️⚽

After weeks of hard work and preparation the moment we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived!

The 2026/27 season officially gets underway tomorrow night as our ladies make the trip to take on Blackpool FC Ladies in our opening fixture of the new campaign. 👊

🆚 BLACKPOOL FC LADIES
📍 AWAY
⏰ 7PM KICK-OFF
🏆 2026/27 SEASON OPENER

A new season. A fresh challenge. A new chapter.

The ladies are ready to step over that white line and give everything for the badge. 💪🔥

So let’s get behind them, show your support and make some noise wherever you’re following from!

THE JOURNEY STARTS TOMORROW.
LET’S GO, LADIES! ❤️⚽🔥

Lancashire Women's County League

Thornton Cleveleys have moved quickly to appoint a new management team for the Reserves.

Club stalwart John Beavers and his assistant Mike Beaumont take over in time for the away trip to Langho on Saturday in the West Lancashire League Division 2.

The duo moved up from managing the under 18 side and will look to build on the Reserves current third position in the league.

Beavers, as previous first team manager, guided Thornton-Cleveleys to the West Lancashire League Premier Division in 2023/24 season finishing first in the table.

The manager says it’s a challenge he’s looking forward to performing.

“It’s an exciting role and a good opportunity we have been given. I bring Mike (Beaumont) in with me and we’re looking forward to hitting the ground running.

“I’ve been at the club for a while and been successful with Paul (Gregory) so we know how each other works.

“We’re looking to have a local vibe to the side and we have a good core there already from the last few games. We want to kick on from there and bring stability.

“We lifted the West Lancs League title some three or four years ago. That was the first time in the club's history we won the West Lancs Prem. It was a really good achievement for the club. It’s certainly something to be proud of achieving.

Hopefully, we come into this role and try to help the reserves and development side to success and push a few lads towards the first team.

“The pathway is all important and why we’ve come into this role. We understand what is needed for the youth. Me and Mike have been involved with the under 16s and that group of lads have a gulf of players to play either reserve or development football. Hopefully, in the next few years, we'll see some of them in the first team squad.”

Photo: John Beavers (right) and Mike Beaumont.

By Derick Thomas

UP NEXT ⏭️🔴

Tomorrow night we kick off September with a short away trip over to Squires Gate

⏰ 19:45 KO
🏟️ The Skiddle Community Stadium, FY4 5DS
🏆 NWCFL First Division North
🎟️ Adults £7 • Concessions £4 • Under 16’s £2 • Under 5’s Free

Come and support the lads as we start another busy month ⚽️🔴

🔴

Thornton Cleveleys travel the short distance to Squires Gate on Tuesday evening for a 7:45pm kick-off.

The Reds struggled in the first half of Saturday’s game at home to Bacup Borough which saw the visitors take a 0-1 lead into half-time

The home side mustered a comeback in the second period, notably in the last 20 minutes, but needed to work hard when they went 0-2 down after 52 minutes. Two late goals from substitute Luke Harris and Jacko Bateman earned the point and a first draw of the season.

The stalemate drops Thornton-Cleveleys to third spot in the league.

Squires Gate have summoned 8 points in their seven First Division North games and sit in 13th place. Gate earned a point at Woolton on Saturday with a 3-3 draw with James Hughes, Jack Coop and Joseph Strawn all on target.

The opposition enjoyed their best run of form in mid-August with two wins surrounded by three defeats and the recent draw.

The Skiddle Community Stadium was the venue of an early August game for the Reds last season. Paul Gregory’s men ran out 0-2 winners thanks to goals from Jacko Bateman, who headed home on his North West Counties debut, and Luke Noble.

The return fixture at Gamble Road during the last campaign saw a late Red goal (pictured) but it proved to be too little too late following first half goals from talisman Dean Ing and Saad Mekkaoui-Abouzaid in front of 306 supporters.

First team coach Chris Bond is looking for recent results to be the catalyst for a result on Tuesday.

“We move on to a local derby at Squires Gate on Tuesday. We know what they offer and they had a high scoring draw on Saturday.

“We go there full of confidence. The point for us on Saturday keeps us in and around the top of the table. We go for all three points on Tuesday.

“Lewis Walmsley is the only injury concern for midweek. He pulled up with his hamstring at the weekend. Apart from that we should be at full strength. No one else is missing. We go there with a full squad

“The momentum needs to keep going but we do need to start better and stronger to improve our chances.”

Kick-off at the Skiddle Community Stadium is 7:45pm on Tuesday.

By Derick Thomas