A 10th tier match on Saturday afternoon sees the league’s highest ever scoreline of 18-0, leaving those in attendance stunned.
It was a day to remember for West Didsbury and Chorlton, setting a record home crowd of 940, and also have set a league record after thumping their opponents.
St Martins, who had already been relegated from the North West Counties Football League First Division South, came up against a side who were sitting top and eyeing up the title.
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The visitors’ goal difference of -181 coming into the game suggested it was no doubt going to be a high scoring fixture, however not even those inside the ground would have predicted it to be eighteen goals.
The home side took a 3-0 lead within seven minutes, and by the half time mark, West Didsbury and Chorlton had put 12 past St Martins.
The game ended 18-0 to the hosts, with Ben Elliot and Sam Heathcote scoring five goals each.
West Didsbury and Chorlton AFC Tweeted after the game: “Today’s attendance was 940, which is a new club record. Thank you for your incredible support! Best wishes to St Martins FC for the future – always a great club to visit and we hope you’re back on your feet soon.”
Today’s attendance was 940, which is a new club record. Thank you for your incredible support!
Best wishes to @st_martinsfc for the future – always a great club to visit and we hope you’re back on your feet soon. pic.twitter.com/fhoO8gAvZo
— West Didsbury & Chorlton (@WD_CFC) March 12, 2022
The North West Counties Football League confirmed via Twitter that the 18-0 thrashing from the south-Manchester promotion favourites was the highest score ever recorded in 40 years of the competition.
St Martins manager Liam Braisdell said after his team’s huge defeat: “We’ve had a really hard season. We’ve lost 9 players this week, a superb manager with lots of experience and it’s been a tough afternoon. It was a proud moment to lead this club as the manager. The crowd at the end were fantastic.”
The club wrote on Twitter: “Difficult day for the Saints. We’re absolutely determined to complete the season. A massive thank you to @WD_CFC for their hospitality and reception after the game. Our reserve manager and a couple of reserve players added. We will be back stronger. Up The Saints 🟡⚫️
St Martins’s league stats look like this – 35 played, 0 wins, two draws, 33 defeats, 20 goals for, 219 against, -199 goal difference, 2 points.
Twitter users reacted as the 10th tier match sees the league’s highest ever scoreline of 18-0…
@shankly1984: 2 teams against 1?? No wonder they won.
@dan_taylor12: Incredible resilience and everybody that follows non league football are behind you. Happy to support in any way, shape or form but the togetherness and the strength amongst the squad and the club hopefully will carry you through to the end of the season to reassess
@maisieWDCFC: I was hugely impressed by StMartins attitude today. Lots of young lads showing great character in very difficult circumstances. Never stopped trying, disciplined, a real credit to the club as a whole. Well done to coaches, player and club alike. 👏👍
@kieharper1986: Fair play to the players , most would quit and mock your results yet they are turning up every game , should be proud
@shevthelad: Congratulations to all at St Martins, to continue every week and still survive demonstrates a resilience and determination deep within your club. Good luck
@stretchy1999: A great club with great people every faith it’ll get better with everyone that’s a part of the running of the club
@AndrewRuscoe: Personally i think the @St_MartinsFC players and @BraisdellLiam’s management team should be commended & praised for fielded a team where as some clubs would have given up. They have literally saved the club regardless of what the result is. Keep going lads 🙌
@ChrisHorner1974: You kept going for the full 90 mins yesterday and were unlucky not to get on the scoresheet early on. Totally deserved the applause at the end and am sure you’ll be back to better times soon 👏
@smilerhopper: shame st martins cant borrow some tns fc players but would need international clearance for every game , hope they continue as with @OswestryTownFC going wont be many games when tns are away.
@vics4life: Not really aware of the circumstances but obviously now can’t be good. Just hope they keep going and never give in.
@di1cox: Keep your heads up lads. Credit to football.
@mikeyc314: Keep going everyone, saw some promising play today and some great saves in there as well. A real never say die attitude. Looking forward to playing you again in the future under better circumstances.
@BFCnoah: They’re playing Isle of Man next week aswell 😳😳
@biggs_david: Fair play in turning up and fielding a side every week! Losing 9 players and a manger is difficult enough ….
@adam_BRFC: The fact these boys keep turning out every week is a big credit, hope they get to the end of the season and manage to sort something out
@oswyinca: Feel so sorry for St Martin’s, week in week out the players turn out for them. Hopefully better fortunes await in the future.
@PaulRoo6Times: Outstanding this 👏👏👏 Not sure what has gone on since visiting your club a few years ago with @cammelllairdfc but massive respect to all at the club ON and OFF the pitch when most would just throw in the towel, soul destroying I’m sure but no doubt you’ll turn the corner all
@duresjj: Had a decent side a few seasons ago, shame to see how they have slipped away and as some of the other comments have already said they must be commended for turning up week after week
@TomAsh_97: Well said Durs 👏🏻. Hopefully they’ll find their feet again next season and reorganise in a lower league. Always been a well-run and friendly club and wish them nothing but success
@hoppingwxm: This was the place for groundhoppers today
@nick_durman: If we put the result to one side (and tbh why wouldn’t you) @WD_CFC is a club going places 1000 there today and what a fantastically fair and friendly lot. Enjoying the football a beer or 4 and each others company, the attitude of their supporters was top draw #lovenonleague
@MikeCookson1: The fact you haven’t thrown in the towel (as most clubs would) and you continue on despite the situation you’re in is a testament to every involved @St_MartinsFC. Good luck
05/05/1997
Tetley Walker 15-2 Nelson
Division 2Theres also been three 13-0 wins
— The NWCFL (@nwcfl) March 12, 2022
Great turn out. Well done to @WD_CFC.
Massive fair play to @St_MartinsFC who will fulfil their fixtures in the most difficult of circumstances. Most teams would have bailed months ago pic.twitter.com/PUGi6KX759
— Glyn Vayro (@GVayro) March 12, 2022
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