Winnington Avenue 1994 FC's flying start to new season

When you look at the start Winnington Avenue 1994 have made to the season, it is easy to understand why first team manager Lewis Wood was happy making this statement.

Both senior teams are riding high in the Cheshire Football League – Wood’s charges are top of League One while the newly-formed reserve side have won six out of six in Reserve League Two.

Indeed, the reserves are the only side in the entire CFL network to still have an unbeaten record.

From the outside looking in at least, the Moss Farm-based outfit are going places – but what’s been the secret?

Winnington Avenue 1994's first team are flying high at the top of CFL League One. Picture by Bryn Jackson Photography

“What’s pleasing me most is the togetherness and the attitude of everyone,” said Wood, whose side have lost only one of their 11 league games, winning eight of them.

“They set their own standards and they make sure it doesn’t slip in training or in games.

“We had a good pre-season. We had between six and eight new players last year so it was just bedding them in and making them feel part of the squad.

“Now they all know each other and have done a full pre-season, there’s a family feel about the squad.

“Being up at the top of League One was our aim. We looked at our squad and everybody else’s and we saw no reason why we couldn’t push for promotion.

“If we miss out, we miss out but for me, we should be up there.”

A key part of Wood’s vision for the club was establishing a second-string side, both to bring through young players and give first-teamers a platform to work their way back from injury.

Management duo Gary Lee Jamieson and Mike Fitzsimmons made the move from neighbours Winsford Saxons to take over the team and so far, the results have been extraordinary.

Gary Lee Jamieson and Mike Fitzsimmons joined from neighbours Winsford Saxons in the summer

“Did we think that we would win every game we competed in as we reached November? Probably not,” said Jamieson, whose side have scored 25 goals and conceded none in their past four outings in league and cup.

“However, we have a unwavering belief in the squad, ourselves and the club as a whole that we could achieve our goals.

“Me and Mike have goals that we have kept to ourselves, and the aim for the lads is to beat whoever is in front of you each week and we'll see where it leaves us come May.

“The main reason I feel we've started so well is down to the lads’ ability to take on instruction and put that into practice each week.

“The squad is vibrant, exciting and above all else, they're brave!

“We've jumped every hurdle so far and the group of players are pushing one another along each week demanding more, knowing only a win is acceptable.”

The club's reserves are the only unbeaten side remaining in the entire Cheshire Football League. Picture by Bryn Jackson Photography

Of course, the challenge now is to turn an excellent start into a season everybody at the club will remember.

As autumn and winter progress and games inevitably fall victim to the weather, momentum gets harder to maintain.

Moss Farm’s all-weather surface should see all home games go ahead and both managers have laid down the gauntlet to their teams.

“We just need to keep doing what we’re doing,” Wood said.

“I’m a massive believer in having a tight unit, so we have a team night out once a month to build those relationships, so the right back and right winger have a good connection and so on.

“Luckily, we play on a 3G pitch so our home games are always going to be on so we’re covered on that side but if games get called off, it is what it is.”

Jamieson continued: “Our challenge is to maintain our current course.

“A few results have gone our way recently and if we can get a few more wins this month, we will be in an incredibly strong position heading into the new year.

“The games are coming thick and fast and being the only side on 100% does leave a big target on your back, but this group seem to thrive off that.”

The reserves face what appears to be their trickiest test to date this afternoon when they host Crewe FC’s second string, who themselves have won six of their seven league games. Kick off is at 2pm at Moss Farm.

The first team are in Cheshire FA Amateur Cup action with a trip to Vauxhall Motors Reserves.