Saturday 11th October 2014
NWCL Premier Division from West View or Brian Boys Stadium
Bacup & Rossendale Borough 0 Runcorn Linnets 3 ht: 0-1 att: 153
Atherton 20, 76, Towey 62 (pen)
from West View
Bacup & Rossendale Borough, until 2013 just Bacup Borough, play in the NWCL Premier division. Their West View ground is known amongst non league fans in equal part for its scenic setting and its waterlogged pitch. In recent seasons, any hint of precipitation in the south pennines, was quickly followed by a couple of P’s next to their fixture. If the rain does hold off, though, it is one of the most picturesque grounds in the country.
Bacup added the words ‘and Rossendale’ to their name on 17th June 2013. This was after the unfortunate demise of Rossendale Borough. I arrived early enough to check out Rossendale’s old ground. They had been going 113 years before dissolving in 2011. Their ground was in Dark Lane, in the next village of Newchurch, between Bacup and Rossendale, just 1.6 miles from West View.
Their West View ground harks back to 1889. It lies on the side of a hill, hence the drainage problems, with wonderful views of the pennines from most angles. Today’s game was a bottom versus top encounter. Despite the disparity in league position, Linnets only led 1-0 at half time, due to a defensive mix up. Bacup had two or three excellent chances to equalise and go on and win it, but frustratingly cou;dn’t finish. Linnnets’ 62nd minute penalty put the result beyond doubt and they added a third later on.
The Groundhog 