Accrington v Rawtenstall in 1987

Thie thirds travel to Enfield on Saturday. [This weeks teams]

Thursday July 20th
Accrington entertain treble chasing Fosters Lancashire League leaders Darwen on Saturday in the penultimate round of games before the league splits into two divisions for the final nine/eight games of the seasons from August onwards. Accrington still stand a chance of finishing in the top division but would need to achieve maximum points in their final two games. The two sides are old rivals with their first recorded meeting dating back to 1847. The games continued at least twice a season until the formation of the North East Lancashire League in 1891. Accrington stick with the team that lost at Church in the Worsley Cup semi final. Reece Willets, who scored a match winning unbeaten century against Accrington in the 2nd XI Telegraph Cup semi final replaces Jordan Clarke in the Darwen team. Lancashire wicketkeeper Alex Davies is again included in the visitors line up.

The thirds travel to Church for a local derby on Sunday.

Friday July 14th
Keiren Grimshaw has been selected to play for the Lancashire League in the Inter League T20 competition at Great Harwood on Friday July 21st. The Lancashire League take on the Palace Shield at 1.15pm.

Tuesday July 11th
Accrington have no game this weekend.

On Saturday the thirds take on East Lancs. [This weeks teams]

Monday July 10th
Accrington's Thomas Walker and George Mills are included in the Lancashire League Under 14 squad to play the Liverpool Competition at Accrington on Sunday. The game starts at 2pm.

Wednesday July 5th
A big weekend begins on Saturday with Accrington travelling to Lowerhouse. Charlie Cottam and Dominic Stuart return for Lowerhouse in place of Jordan Page and Adam Hugill. Accrington name an unchanged team.
Looking back at 1987
Lowerhouse v Accrington in 1987
Accrington v Lowerhouse in 1987

On Sunday both the firsts and seconds are involved in cup semi final action.

Accrington go to West End to face old rival Church in the semi final of the Worsley Cup. West End hosts the meeting between two of the oldest rivals in league cricket. The first recorded meeting between Accrington and Church was back in 1869. The most recent scheduled meeting was on the first day of the season April 16th but the match was abandoned without a ball being bowled. Accrington have beaten both holders Burnley and Nelson whilst Church have home wins over Enfield and East Lancs under their belt on the way to the semi final. The two clubs have met twenty-two times in the Worsley Cup with eleven wins each. Three of these meetings have been in the semi finals with Church holding two victories.

Church make one change with Joel Gaskill replacing Cameron Dawson whilst Accrington name an unchanged team.
Accrington v Church in the Worsley Cup

The seconds host Darwen in the Telegraph Cup semi final. [This weeks teams]

Wednesday June 28th
Accrington entertain Lowerhouse on Friday in the final must win Moorhouses Blonde Witch 2020 game. Accrington name an unchanged team. Lowerhouse will be without Chris Bleazard, Charlie Cottam and Dominic Stuart.
Team: Simon Hanson (Captain), Jimmy Hayhurst, Keiren Grimshaw, Jacob Clarke, Jon Hayhurst, Raheem Kasser, Sam Bancroft (wk), Alfie Taylor, Richard Williams, Graeme Sneddon, Michael Erlank (Pro). Meet Accrington 5.30pm.

On Saturday Accrington welcome Haslingden to Thorneyholme Road. Simon Hanson's side were involved in a dramatic tie at Great Harwood last Sunday whilst Haslingden went down to Lowerhouse.
Looking back at 1987
Accrington v Haslingden in 1987
Haslingden v Accrington in 1987

Due to the LCB Cup games there are no Fosters Lancashire League games on Sunday but there is some action down at the club where the thirds entertain Lowerhouse.

Wednesday June 21st
The Lancashire League fixtures on Sunday sees Accrington travel to Great Harwood for a first ever meeting in the competition. Joe Lloyd replaces Jimmy Hayhurst in the Accrington team. Great Harwood also make a change with Matthew Bunn replacing Cameron Holt. Accrington will find some familiar faces awaiting. Veteran former skipper Mas Ahmed lines up in the Great Harwood team along with Patrick Swanney, a former Accrington junior who is now first team captain at The Cliffe.

Accrington entertain Todmorden on Friday in the Moorhouses Blonde Witch 2020 game. Graeme Sneddon replaces Ben Brierley in the Accrington team.
Team: Simon Hanson (Captain), Jimmy Hayhurst, Keiren Grimshaw, Jacob Clarke, Jon Hayhurst, Raheem Kasser, Sam Bancroft (wk), Alfie Taylor, Richard Williams, Graeme Sneddon, Michael Erlank (Pro). Meet Accrington 5.30pm

The thirds are in action on Saturday at Burnley.

Wednesday June 14th
Another triple header weekend begins on Friday night when Accrington go to Alexandra Meadows to play East Lancs in a Blonde Witch 2020 game. Both sides have yet to pick up a point in this competition this season. Richard Williams and Ben Brierley make their senior debuts for Accrington.
Team: Simon Hanson (Captain), Jimmy Hayhurst, Keiren Grimshaw, Jacob Clarke, Jon Hayhurst, Raheem Kasser, Sam Bancroft (wk), Alfie Taylor, Richard Williams, Ben Brierley, Michael Erlank (Pro). Meet East Lancs 5.30pm

On Saturday Accrington make their second trip to Seedhill this season to play Nelson in the 2nd Round of the Worsley Cup. History favours Nelson who have won six of the eight Worsley Cup meetings between the clubs, including the last one in the 2015 semi final when they rolled Accrington over for just 51. Both teams have been unpredictable this season with Accrington winning at Seedhill in early May. Accrington have only ever won twice at Seedhill in the same season once which was in 1975 when they won the league. Accrington pick from a twelve man squad. The experienced Jimmy Hayhurst and Ross Brown come in with youngster Raheem Kasser returning to the seconds Nelson bring in Haroon Manaf and Billy Jamil in place of Michael Bradley and Matthew Pettinger.

Accrington v Nelson in the Worsley Cup.

The seconds entertain Great Harwood in the Telegraph Cup.

On Sunday Accrington entertain joint fourth placed Todmorden. Accrington select from the same twelve man squad whilst Kai Abbas replaces Matt Collins in the Todmorden team.

Looking back at 1987
Accrington v Todmorden in 1987
Todmorden v Accrington in 1987

Wednesday June 7th
The weekend action is due to begin on Friday night with a trip to Birch Hall to play Darwen in the 2020 competition. Skipper Simon Hanson and Bryn Hargreaves replace David Ormerod and Jimmy Hayhurst in the Accrington team.
Team: Simon Hanson (Captain), Keiren Grimshaw, Jacob Clarke, Graeme Sneddon, Asef Mahmood, Jon Hayhurst, Raheem Kasser, Bryn Hargreaves, Sam Bancroft (wk), Alfie Taylor, Michael Erlank (Pro). Meet Darwen 5.30pm

Access to Darwen's ground Birch Hall can be found via BB3 0AD Monton Road. Turn right at the top of the road and the ground is 150 yards ahead. For all 1st XI games visiting spectators can park on Herbert Parkinson staff car park. This is situated 50 yards before entering the ground and we will have an A Board showing the entry gate.

Accrington entertain Colne on Saturday. Accrington ended a run of five successive defeats with a 1 run win over Bacup on Sunday whilst Colne's win over Rawtenstall came in the middle of two defeats. Fifteen year-old Raheem Kasser comes in to the Accrington team for his Lancashire League debut in place of Jimmy Hayhurst. Colne make three changes with Matt Clark, George Braithwaite and Danyal Mahmood replacing John Lambert, Kenton Rhodes and Hamza Danyal.

On Sunday the thirds play at Nelson.

Looking back at 1987
Accrington v Colne in 1987
Colne v Accrington in 1987

Wednesday May 31st
A triple header weekend kicks off on Friday night with the opening Moorhouse's 2020 group games. Accrington entertain Ramsbottom in their opening Blonde Witch Group Game. Accrington name a twelve man squad including Alfie Taylor.
Team: Simon Hanson (Captain), Keiren Grimshaw, Jacob Clarke, Graeme Sneddon, David Ormerod, Asef Mahmood, Jimmy Hayhurst, Jon Hayhurst , Ramiz Hussain, Sam Bancroft (wk), Alfie Taylor, Michael Erlank (Pro). Meet Accrington 5.30pm

Accrington travel to the MyProtein Turf Moor on Saturday to meet Burnley who will be out to avenge last month's Worsley Cup defeat at Thorneyholme Road. Accrington skipper Simon Hanson returns in place of Ross Brown. Burnley name an unchanged team.
Looking back at 1987
Burnley v Accrington in 1987
Accrington v Burnley in 1987

On Sunday Accrington entertain Bacup. Accrington name an unchanged team. Bacup pick from thirteen, adding Luke Donovan and Dan Rowe to Saturday's team.
Looking back at 1987
Accrington v Bacup in 1987
Bacup v Accrington in 1987

Wednesday May 24th
A busy Bank Holiday weekend sees three days of action scheduled. Accrington take on Enfield in a local derby at Thorneyholme Road on Sunday. Accrington professional Michael Erlank is set to return after missing last Saturday's defeat at East Lancs through illness but skipper Simon Hanson is missing. Asef Mahmood comes in with David Ormerod taking over as skipper. Enfield make two changes with Sam Cook and Lewis Garraghty replacing spin twins Alex Whittaker and Simon O'Loughlin.

Looking back at 1987
Accrington v Enfield in 1987.
Enfield v Accrington in 1987.

The thirds play on Saturday and Monday looking to maintain their impressive unbeaten start to the season. On Saturday the team play at Todmorden and on Monday they entertain Haslingden. Ellie Davey will play her first third team game of the season at Centre Vale on Saturday joining Alice Clarke in the team.

Thursday May 18th
Accrington travel to play former league leaders East Lancs at Alexandra Meadows on Saturday. East Lancs stick with the team that lost to Church last Sunday. Accrington recall Jon Hayhurst in place of Asef Mohammed.

The thirds entertain Great Harwood on Sunday looking to extend their unbeaten run to four matches.

Looking back at 1987
East Lancs v Accrington in 1987.
Accrington v East Lancs in 1987.

Wednesday May 10th
Ellie Davey hit her maiden century playing for Lancashire Women's Under 15s against Derbyshire at Newton-le-Willows. Ellie hit seventeen fours in making an unbeaten 105 from just 71 balls in Lancashire's 160 run win.

On Sunday Accrington travel to Clitheroe for the first ever competitive meeting between the clubs. The two sides have met in pre-season friendlies but never before with anything at stake. Clitheroe make one change from the team beaten at home by Darwen last Sunday with veteran bowler Josh Marquet replacing veteran bowler Marcus Sharp. Accrington pick from twelve, adding Jon Hayhurst to the team that ended Burnley's unbeaten five year run in the Worsley Cup last weekend.

The 3rds travel to Acre Bottom on Saturday to play Ramsbottom.

Tuesday May 9th
Accrington have been drawn at Nelson in the 2nd Round of the Worsley Cup. The seconds will host Great Harwood. Ties will be played on Saturday June 17th. Full draws

Thursday May 4th
May begins with the first double header weekend of the season with league action on Saturday and Worsley Cup ties on Sunday. On Saturday Accrington go to Nelson. Accrington's last win at Seedhill was in 2014. Matt Wilson replaces Ross Brown in the Accrington team. Nelson make three changes with veteran Colin Pemberton and Zain Abbas and Jamie Randall who both make their Lancashire League debuts in place of Khurram Nazir, Richard Meade and Wasim Qureshi.

Looking back at 1987
Nelson v Accrington in 1987.
Accrington v Nelson in 1987.

On Sunday Accrington face Worsley Cup holders Burnley. Unbeaten in the competition since May 20th 2012, Dan Pickup's men are chasing a record breaking fifth win in the Worsley Cup. The clubs last meeting in the Worsley Cup was in the 2008 semi final when Accrington won at Turf Moor on route to a Final victory at Todmorden. Ross Brown returns for Accrington in place of Matt Wilson.Burnley welcome back Bharat Tripathi after suspension and David Brown in place of Qasim Shah and Chris Burton. [This weeks teams]

Accrington v Burnley in the Worsley Cup

Wednesday April 26th
Accrington travel to Acre Bottom to play champions Ramsbottom on Sunday in an historic match that sees Jasmine Naeem take charge along with Ian Laurence. Accrington, who were the only team to beat Ramsbottom last season, name an unchanged team. Ramsbottom replace Alex Olpin with Martin Cropper. The champions new professional Grant Thomson is not expected to have arrived so Brett Pelser will again stand in as sub pro.

The thirds will entertain Rishton on Bank Holiday Monday looking for a second successive win of the season.
Looking back at 1987
Ramsbottom v Accrington in 1987.
Accrington v Ramsbottom in 1987.


Wednesday April 19th
Accrington take on Rishton in a mouthwatering local derby to set the historic 2017 season underway at Thorneyholme Road on Sunday. The visitors ended a run of 16 straight defeats last season and will be keen to secure a first win at Accrington since 2007. Accrington name an unchanged team. Former professional Rob Nichol stands in for Rishton. The visitors make seven changes from the team selected for the opening match last week. In come Richie Fox, Andrew Hickey, Jack Hilton, Macauley Taylor, Kelly Mall and Matt Leathert. Out go Matt and Chris Lambert, Brad Boddie, Ali Hasham, Danny Briggs and Matt Nuttall. Scott Greaves will stand in as captain against his former club. [This weeks teams]
Looking back at 1987
Accrington v Rishton in 1987.
Rishton v Accrington in 1987.

The thirds begin their league programme on Saturday with an historic visit from new Lancashire League club Clitheroe who have two sides in the Third XI League. Clitheroe 4th XI play their first ever match in the competition at Thorneyholme Road.

Saturday April 15th
Accrington tied with Bury in a thrilling final pre-season friendly at Thorneyholme Road. Bury made 149 with skipper Simon Hanson taking 2-6, Jacob Clarke 2-17 and Ross Brown 2-24. In reply Accrington lost Alfie Taylor (2), skipper Hanson (1) and new professional Michael Erlank (0) cheaply but Clarke (43) and new signing Asif Mahmood put Accrington back in contention with a 4th wicket stand of 84. Asif went on to make an unbeaten 54 from 65 balls with three fours and four sixes but chasing a revised D/L target of 135 from 30 overs due to rain, Accrington finished on 134-9.

Wednesday April 12th
The historic 125th Anniversary Fosters Lancashire League season opens this Sunday. New Accrington captain Simon Hanson takes his team to Church to play in the earliest ever league meeting between the clubs that first met way back in 1869. Accrington will pick from twelve, including new signings Sam Bancroft (Edgworth), Asif Mahmood (Enfield) and Ross Brown (Rawtenstall). New professional Michael Erlank is due to make his league debut for Accrington. Church also have a new captain in Levi Wolfenden. Professional Zain Abbas is playing in the Pakistan One Day Cup so former paid man Usman Tariq, who warmed up with a match winning century for Ramsbottom in last Sunday's Colne Trophy game at Burnley, stands in. Church also include former Enfield seamer Hassan Fazal who has joined the club after spell at Settle. This season we look back at 1987, a season that began with a scorching hot opening day when Accrington got off to a winning start by beating Todmorden at Thorneyholme Road. [This weeks teams]
Looking back at 1987
Accrington v Todmorden in 1987.
Church v Accrington in 1987.
Accrington v Church in 1987.
On Saturday Accrington entertain former Lancashire League side Bury in a friendly. The clubs first met in 1875 with Accrington piling up a then club record score of 310 at Peel Park the following year.

Tuesday April 11th
George Mills and Thomas Walker have both been included in the Lancashire Junior League Under 14 Squad for this season.

Saturday April 8th
Accrington lost in the annual friendly at Bradshaw by 4 wickets. Keiren Grimshaw hit 81, Ramiz Hussain 21, Graeme Sneddon 18 not out and Ross Brown 14 in Accrington's 166-9. Grimshaw then took 4-42, Jimmy Hayhurst 1-22 and Brown 1-44.

Thursday April 6th
Accrington's team at Bradshaw on Saturday is:
Simon Hanson (Captain), Matt Wilson, Keiren Grimshaw, Jacob Clarke, Ramiz Hussain, Ross Brown, Graeme Sneddon, Toc Hussain, Ben Ross (wk), Jimmy Hayhurst, Andrew Greenwood. Meet Accrington 11am.

Wednesday April 5th
The seconds team to play at Radcliffe on Sunday has been announced.
Len Dewhurst (Captain), Andrew Greenwood, Ian Johnson, Rick Williams, Aqeel Shah, Alice Clarke (Wk), Matt Jones , Riley Armstrong, Ben Makin, Ben Brierley, Tom Cunliffe, 12th Man: Bailey Chamberlain  Meet at Accrington at 11.30 am

Tuesday April 4th
New Accrington professional Michael Erlank is due to arrive on Wednesday April 12th. Following the friendly at home against Bury on Saturday April 15th there will be a Meet The Pro' Night doubling up as Race Night. [More]

Saturday March 11th
Mother of all comebacks week continues with the news that Len Dewhurst will come out of retirement to captain Accrington 2nds this season. Ben Brierley also returns to the club from Baxenden and the transfer of wicketkeeper/batsman Sam Bancroft from Edgworth has also been approved. Meanwhile Waqas Ahmed has left the club and joined Church.

Sunday February 26th
The Under 15s won the Hyndburn Indoor Competition at Norden Sports Hall. [More]

Tuesday February 21st
The Under 15s are in semi final action on Sunday. [More]

Monday February 20th
David Lloyd stood down as Club President at last weeks AGM. The club is now seeking to elect a new President. [More]

Friday February 3rd
An early outing at Thorneyholme Road for 14 year-old Jimmy Anderson has been unearthed whilst inputting the 3rd XI's 1997 scorecards. Jimmy took the wicket of Richard Swanney in conceding 30 runs from 10 overs. He later made 13 before being trapped lbw by Matthew Pilkington in Accrington's 67 run win. Alistair Cunliffe starred with an unbeaten 96 in Accrington's innings.

Wednesday January 31st
The club is holding a Fitting Night in the clubhouse on Friday 24th February starting at 7pm. [More]

Friday January 27th
Accrington have completed the signing of former Ramsbottom and Rawtenstall off spinner Ross Brown. The transfer was approved at this week's Lancashire League Meeting.