With the training camp in Anglesey enjoyed & Pre-season graft now well underway, the club have confirmed four friendlies, that will see Steve Lloyd fine tune his side for there debut season in the Cheshire League Division 1.

1st up will be a visit to Shropshire outfit, Wem Town FC, a side that the Vics met in succesive years on the lead up to there Mid-Cheshire acceptance. Next they travel to Cheshire League new boys Runcorn Town Reserves before taking on there old 'sparring partners' & closest rivals from Division 2, Moore Utd.
The final peice of the jigsaw will see the Vics welcome West Cheshire League highfliers, Heswall FC to the Flacca, just a week before the Cheshire League season kicks off on the 14th of August.

For all the dates & Kick Off times to the above fixtures, check out the 'Noticeboard' section.

---

8th May 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 3pm – Away
Scorer(s) – (Moss 2, Clacher)
Team – C. Jones, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Wright, Haralambous, Rowntree, Buckley, Parker, Moore, Moss. Subs– Cooke, Packham, Dean, Clacher, Taylor.
MOM – Nick Abson.
Game Sponsored by;

A game & a date that will be forever etched into the history of Tarporley Vics FC. With the prize of Division 1 football on offer to both sides, the occasion was filled with tension and excitement.
Both sides were in good form after solid midweek victories that set up this ‘Cup Final’, Vics, with a healthy away day following got off to an absolute flyer, scoring from there first attack, Parker’s throw found Moore, his flick on in turn found Moss, where the in form striker nodded the visitors into a 2nd minute lead. Vics continued to press, Moore headed wide, whilst Moss forced another good save from the Denton keeper. All this in the opening 5 minutes, it was frenetic stuff. As expected, Denton played to there strengths, hitting the box at every opportunity, whether from throw ins, set pieces or just general distribution, they had to win the game and were going to ask some serious questions. For all there possession, Denton didn’t really force a save from keeper Jones, though his handling and control of his box had to be spot on, to deal with barrage of pressure. The home side came close when a free kick with power, hit the underside of the bar, as Vics scrambled clear. Jones pushed another over the top, but the Vics went in at the interval, having defended within themselves.
The 2nd half saw the Vics with the wind behind them, but typically, that dropped as the referee began proceedings, Denton picked up where they had left off, 3 minutes into the 2nd half they were level, a good break and cut back down the Vics right, saw the Town player free, in turn dispatching the equaliser from close range. The Blue & Black just had to dig in, as wave after wave of attacks came at them, but the defensive resilience was mirrored from the 1st half, all of the back 4 were excellent, with the midfield, in particular Moore, digging deep to keep the threat away from Jones. With Denton having all of the pressure, Vics were starting to catch them on the break, Haralambous blazed over after a great run and cut inside, whilst Moss and Buckley had half chances. Denton were still in control, but going into the final 10 minutes, this game was on a knifes edge, Denton were getting tired, the Vics were beginning to believe. On 84 minutes came the golden moment, Moss eluded one challenge, brought the ball down on his chest and rifled a volley into the far right hand corner, what a strike and what a moment as the Vics faithful went berserk.  On 88 minutes, it got even better, substitute Clacher found space on the left, he cut inside his man, weighed up his options and floated his shot over the keeper, into the top corner of the net, it was another magical moment, if the celebrations had been mental following Moss’s goal, the reaction after this reached a new level. Denton still pressed and pressed as the referee played an agonising 5 minutes of injury time, right at the end, Moore, 10 yards in his own half, saw the keeper off his line and spanked a shot that thundered the underside of the crossbar, now if that had gone in………
At last, the referee blew his whistle, to spark yet more manic celebrations that went on well into the early hours of Sunday morning - The Vics are going up!!!!!!

---

6th May 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 6.45pm – Away
Scorer(s) – (Moss 3, Rowntree)
Team – C. Jones, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Wright, Haralambous, Clacher, Buckley, Parker, Moore, Moss. Subs– Cooke, Packham, Dean, Rowntree, Taylor.
MOM – Mike Parker.
Game Sponsored by;

This was never going to be an easy game, a rock hard pitch with a sparse covering of grass and a determined Poynton side who scrap for everything going, but the Vics came up with the answers when it mattered the most.
The 1st half was tight and uncomfortable for both sides, Vics were playing with pace whilst Poynton took the more direct approach, Buckley came close in the 1st minute with one effort, whilst at the other end Jones went down smartly to smother a Poynton effort. Chances were few and far between, with neither side holding an edge.
That changed in the 2nd period, Parker put Clacher through, but the bobbly surface meant an untrue connection, as the ball went wide. Vics were on the front, but mindful of the home side’s front men, who were both lively and creative. The deadlock was broken on 58 minutes, a ball in from Haralambous found Moss, whose brave header evaded the keeper, leaving the number 9 to rifle in the opener. This gave Vics the lift they needed, 5 minutes later the lead was doubled, Moore’s header fell to that man Moss in the 6 yard box, leaving him with an easy finish 4 yards out. Haralambous raced through next, but the keeper came bravely off his line to smother, injuring himself in the process. This invited Vics on even more, on 72 Moss had scored his hatrick, a great ball from Haralambous, a cushioned header from Buckley and another Moss finish for the 3rd. Buckley, Haralambous and Clacher were withdrawn to keep fresh for the weekend, Jones making a superb tip over save in a rare Poynton attack. Moss nearly added his 4th, rounding the keeper but lifting his effort over the bar. But Vics were to get another, Parkers throw was flicked on by Moss, Rowntree following in at the back post to smash home number 4.
This was all about getting a result in a really difficult fixture, mission accomplished.

---

24th April 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 3pm – Away
Scorer(s) –
Team – C. Jones, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Wright, Haralambous, Rowntree, Cooke, Parker, Moore, Moss. Subs– Lloyd, Packham, Aidley, Clacher, Taylor.
MOM – Steve Wright.
Game Sponsored by;

The battling midweek display at Congleton proved to cost the Vics dear, as there injuries piled up on the build up to facing the Champions elect. With Pattinson already ruled out, Buckley (ankle) followed suit, with Clacher (back) only able to make the bench as an unused substitute. Rowntree, Moore and Cooke were patched up to start, but all were short of the required full fitness it takes, to tackle a side with the quality and drive of Lostock Gralam.
The Injuries cannot and will not be used as an excuse, Vics were beaten by the best side in the league, who yet again proved they have that vital edge in all areas over the Blue & Black. A stunning opener on 20 minutes after a Woods slip saw the ‘Grey Lambs’ take the lead, whilst Moss latched onto a backpass at the other end, to force a good save from the home keeper in a 1st half that Lostock controlled, but chances for both sides were at a minimum.
Lostock effectively killed the game off 2 minutes into the 2nd half, scoring another good goal from the edge of the box that Jones could not get near to. The pack was shuffled as Vics looked helplessly for a route back into the game, Moss fired wide when clean through, whilst Abson followed suit, forcing the keeper into a save. Lostock as you would expect, looked threatening, with Jones saving brilliantly on the hour mark, Lostock’s 3rd came from the penalty spot, clinically and decisively.
Vics continued to press, substitute Sam Lloyd’s cross was flicked wide from Moss, whilst Abson’s pull back was miss hit  by Wright, but it was all to no avail.
Lostock were fully deserved in there win, it wasn’t a 3.0 game but Lostock proved exactly what they are, the best side in Division 2. The challenge for Steve Lloyd’s men now, is to become the 2nd best.

---

21st April 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 7.30pm – Away
Scorer(s) – Buckley, Moss 2
Team – C. Jones, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Wright, Haralambous, Rowntree, Buckley, Clacher, Moore, Moss. Subs– Lloyd, Ball, Cooke, Parker, Taylor.
MOM – Dan Haralambous.
Game Sponsored by;

A rock hard pitch and a determined Congleton side, were put to the sword under lights at Booth Street, as Vics grafted there way to an important 3 points.
Town may have had nothing to play for, but they were spirited in there attempts to upend the Vics promotion assault. The game was tight for the first 20 minutes, Congleton’s forwards showed good movement across the line, without really creating an opening, whilst Vics saw a Haralambous shot wide and a Moore header at the keeper, following a surging run from the back from Abson.
Vics took the lead on 22 minutes with a great goal, Moore breaking from his own box and galloping past players, found Buckley with a 30 yard ball, the lively number 7, knocked a ball to Moss whose magical flick, carved open the exposed defensive line to find Clacher, Buckley had continued his run and collected calmly to slot the ball home for the opener. It was a great passage of play. Congleton did level when a rare Wright slip saw the Town number 9 finish well past the helpless, advancing Jones.
The 1st half petered out at a frenetic pace, both sides working hard off the ball, with sights of goal a premium.
Vics started the 2nd half with a real purpose, the attack minded formation clicked and reaped it’s reward on 50 minutes, Haralambous (more on him to come), ghosted past 2 awe struck defenders, before pulling the ball back into the path of Moss, who dropped his shoulder, lost his marker and rifled home the 2nd. Vics pressed hard and high, challenging every ball, again Haralambous, who was now on the rampage, blazed past 3 players, before a last ditch tackle denied him, in the tackle the Town defender appeared to pull the ball back with his arm, but the official waved play on. Haralambous, again, jinked himself some space before arrowing a pinpoint cross to Moss, again he lost his marker, but this time he smashed a stunning volley just over the top. Congleton then pressed the game, though they didn’t force a save out of Jones, they were busy and creative, whilst industrious in there approach. Vics stood firm and played some excellent counter attacking football, Haralambous was at the middle of everything, the Town full back was now being run ragged, the 3rd goal was a mirror image of the 2nd as Vics number 11 sped down the flank, defenders in his trail, his cut back precise, leaving the excellent Moss to finish smartly again. Parker and Lloyd were brought on and both added real vigour to the side, Parker covering tired legs, whilst Lloyd produced one mazy run and cutback that was just cut-out as Moss lay waiting with a hatrick in mind.
A really difficult game on paper, on a really difficult playing surface, the Vics answered the question with an excellent display.

---

17th April 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 3pm – Home
Scorer(s) – Haralambous, Moore
Team – C. Jones, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Wright, Haralambous, Parker, Buckley, Clacher, Moore. Subs– Lloyd, Rowntree, Packham, Pattinson, Moss.
MOM – Al Moore.
Game Sponsored by; 'Thomas Marsh'

A dangerous fixture on paper saw the Vics tackle Whitchurch Alport, a side that had enjoyed varying success against the Blue & Black in there previous four encounters.
With promotion dreams still flickering at the Flacca, Steve Lloyd’s men put in a spirited and resolute performance to earn the vital 3 points that were required. Alport created only half chances pretty much all game, with Vics old boy, Jack Oakden, usually in the mix of creating or getting on the end of things, but, as said, Alport were restricted to speculative efforts that never really troubled home keeper Jones.
Vics were neat and tidy but not penetrating as they picked off there visitors, Haralambous was enjoying the space to run into, with Cooke again playing intellagantly when the ball was fed out wide to him. It was Haralambous who opened the scoring on 20 minutes, latching onto a through ball from Clacher, the Alport keeper saved well, but Vics number 11 smashed home the rebound with the minimum fuss. Vics grew as a result, but the second goal did not come, as Vics appeared to be in control with a couple of gears to spare. At the start of the 2nd half, they secured victory, Buckley charging down the keepers clearance, before slotting in Moore, who finished superbly into the roof of the net. Cooke was to force another great save from the keeper later on, whilst at the other end, Vics backline was superb in dealing with the direct and high approach Alport had now adopted. With the game won and entering injury time, the victory was marred when the returning Edd Pattinson re-broke his arm going in for a block challenge, it was a real shame for Edd as this was only his 2nd comeback game.
Vics were to finish the game playing against 10 men, as the Alport skipper was dismissed, after living life on the edge following an earlier yellow card, the referee correctly, ran out of patience.
A solid 3 points for the Blue & Black, who demonstrated there desire in a fixture that historically had proven a really tough one. This one was for Edd.

---

10th April 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 3pm – Away
Scorer(s) – Cooke, Moore 2
Team – C. Jones, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Wright, Haralambous, Parker, Buckley, Clacher, Moore. Subs– Winter, Rowntree, Packham, Pattinson, Moss.
MOM – Al Moore.
Game Sponsored by;

The Blue & Black took the long journey through Derbyshire, returning with a richly deserved 3 points that there battle hardy display fully justified.
The ‘Millers’ are renowned for being a feeder side to the 1st team, so you never really know who you are playing against, one thing you do know though, is that they are determined outfit who try to play attack minded football in the right way. All this said, it was the Vics who came out of the traps the strongest, putting a stranglehold on the game they would not let go of. They took the lead after only 3 minutes, Haralambous ghosting past 2 defenders, before a smart pull back found Clacher, his shot was brilliantly saved but the impressive Cooke rifled home the rebound. Though the Millers continued to look dangerous, it was the Vics who were the most likely to score, Haralambous had a great chance after being put through from Clacher, but 1 on 1 he snatched at his chance and fired wide. With Vics fully in the ascendancy, both Parker & Clacher were now pulling the strings, with Cooke intelligently driving forward at will, Vics doubled the advantage on 18 minutes, Moore collecting the ball on the halfway line finding Buckley, his neat lay off fell to Moore again who rifled in a belting drive that flew in off the post from over 25 yards out, a great strike. With the home side now gambling, Vics were dominating when breaking forward against a shaky back line, on the break, the ‘Millers’ were dangerous, 10 minutes before the interval they pulled a goal back, with a neat finish at the back post. This saw them getting on top, but Vics restored there lead further within 4 minutes, Parker’s rampaging run and cross found Buckley, whose cushioned header dropped to Moore, 3.1, Vics were now in total control going into the interval.
The 2nd half started disappointingly for the Vics, conceding a poor goal only 2 minutes in from a corner, this changed the tone of the game with New Mills pumping balls forward, but the Vics were in no mood to let things slip, they defended as a team superbly, playing the home side on the counter, a ploy that worked well and should have seen them add to there lead. With 5 minutes remaining, Parker burst through from the halfway line, he drew the keeper and knocked it square to the awaiting Moss, on as a substitute, Parker’s delivery hampered by the bobbly pitch put Moss at full stretch, the keeper recovering well to make a great save. Moss made a real impact, holding off 2 challenges before forcing the keeper into another great save, though Pattinson was well placed if the striker had layed the ball off. Vics held out strongly, a performance that was both resolute and determined, a big 3 points against a very good side.

20th March 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 3pm – Away
Scorer(s) –
Team – C. Jones, Parker, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Wright, Haralambous, Rowntree, Buckley, Clacher, Moore. Subs– Winter, Briscoe, Packham, Moss, Taylor.
MOM – Al Moore.
Game Sponsored by;

A sluggish start saw the Vics forced into a mighty comeback against a Monk Sports side who had previously won at the Flacca in the Semi Final.
The writing was on the wall when in the 2nd minute; the home side created an opening of a free header, but wasted the opportunity. On 8 minutes, Monk took the lead, a ball from the right was finished well with a diving header, though the marking was poor. The Warrington side doubled there lead on 14 minutes, when a sliced clearance was picked up again on the right, Monks number 7 was given to much time to pick his spot, scoring a dipping shot over the stranded Jones.
Vics were shell shocked, Parker fired an inch wide from a corner, whilst Abson was upeneded by the keeper, but the referee to everybody’s amazement gave a goal kick. At least Vics had now upped the tempo of there play, Moore rampaged through Sports midfield, before smashing in a low 25 yard effort into the corner, Vics were back in it.
3 minutes later, they had drawn level, brilliant wing play saw Haralambous leave 3players in his wake, his slide rule pass found Moore whose shot was blocked, the ball rolled to Wright who drove home the equaliser. Vics had there tails up now, Moore going close with one effort, whilst Haralambous saw one effort whistle wide.
The 2nd half saw Vics dominate, though Monk were dangerous on the brake, hitting the bar with one effort. The home side had there keeper to thank after pulling off 2 world class saves, Buckley fired one effort with power toward the bottom corner, but somehow the keeper made an unbelievable stop. Soon after, he did the same again, with the ball breaking to Clacher in space, he caught it well, but again, the keeper made a superb stop. The big talking point of the game came with 10 minutes remaining, Moss turned sharply in the box but was blatantly upended, the referee, who it has to be said, had a really good game, made only his 2nd error by not awarding such a stone wall penalty. Worse, Monk nearly grabbed a winner on the brake from that attack, hitting the post with Abson clearing it off the line. Vics layed siege on the Monk goal with a succession of corners and scrambles, nearly grabbing the winner with 2 minutes to go, Moss losing his marker to go clear, but under pressure lost balance with the keeper closing, firing just wide.
Vics ended with a good point against a hard working and at times, over zealous side. Though they deserved the 3 points, following such a poor start, the comeback and spirit to keep going was excellent until the very end.

13th March 2010 – Cheshire League Division 2 – K.O 3pm – Away
Scorer(s) –
Team – C. Jones, Parker, Heritage, Abson, Woods ©, Winter, Haralambous, Rowntree, Buckley, Moss, Moore. Subs– Clacher, Briscoe, Packham, Clacher, Taylor.
MOM – Luke Heritage.
Game Sponsored by;

Vics took the honours with both hands in a fine derby day win at in form Malpas, but on reflection, should probably have added further to the goal difference tally.
From the 1st whistle, the visitors controlled the tempo of the game, Winter forcing his way clear but his shot was smothered by the keeper. Buckley then went close but was denied by a last ditch tackle. On 12 minutes, Vics deservedly took the lead, the excellent Heritage scurried forward delivering a pinpoint cross that found Winter, his cushioned header in turn found Buckley, who nodded in the opener. Malpas hit back with a deflected goal on 30 minutes against the run of play, but that proved to spur the Vics into action again, Buckley’s through ball finding Moss, whose turn of pace left the sluggish Malpas centre half in his trail, firing home a superb finish to make it 2.1. Winter’s header was saved by the keeper when well placed, whilst Heritage blazed wide on the run, Haralambous then going close.
The 2nd period followed suit, though Malpas nearly equalised on the hour mark, Jones with a smart stop. An equaliser would have been in just, Vics were soon to confirm the win, Parkers cross found Haralambous, who’s spanking volley nestled in the top corner. Buckley was to later blaze a penalty over the bar, whilst Briscoe’s shot on the run, cleared the upright. The final piece of action saw Haralambous thread a brilliant 50 yard ball through the centre of the Malpas defence, Buckley’s pace saw him get there, but his prodded shot went just wide past the advancing keeper. Vics closing out the game in total control.

---