Wilmslow U42's vs Alderley Legends. 25 years ago a Wilmslow Junior Sports football team of fresh-faced 16 year olds won a number of trophies including the Cheshire Cup.
Over the years the boys have turned into men enjoying life, successful careers and some with young families of their own. The captain of the '88 side, Rick Shenton relocated to Australia 20 years ago to chase the dream of a life playing cricket.
Upon announcing that he was coming back to the UK with his wife and 2 children to visit family it was decided that the every endeavour would be made to reform the team to play a game of football for old times sake. Facebook was activated, emails were sent and telephone calls were made resulting in the majority of the team, including team manager Denis Alcock being available and excited at the prospect of seeing old faces.
On Saturday 18th May 2013, the team reunited and took on the best talent from old Alderley Morley and St. Philips teams who had also come through the ranks of Wilmslow Sports in the past.
The fun started immediately as ex-team members arrived at Upcast Lane, Wilmslow. 25 years seemed just like yesterday sharing jokes and applying copious amounts of Deep Heat to loosen aging muscles. Captain Shenton arrived and we soon realised that his Australian accent wasn't put on for effect!
The game was played in a great, friendly and fun atmosphere interspersed with the odd rough challenge as some got a little over excited with it all. The early Wilmslow optimism took a hit as after 5 minutes, Paul O'Grady finished a fine team move and an excellent final ball through from Jon Thornton to put Alderley 1-0 up. The game steadied down and both teams played some fine passing football creating a number of goal scoring chances.
James Hoyle for Wilmslow and Matt Quellin for Alderley shined as they cajoled their respective back 4's, containing opposition strikers and spraying the ball from flank to flank. Half time came in an instant – panic in the Alderley team lead them straight into the changing room for a serious half time team talk. Wilmslow felt strong and revelled in their improving performance and disbelief at what they were actually doing.
The 2nd half kicked off with a blast on the whistle by replacement referee Tony Hall. The game ebbed and flowed with Wilmslow growing stronger and stronger. Then PENALTY!!! Alderley's Andy Cowell tripped on a blade of grass under a challenge by man of the match Jon Connelly. The ball was handed to Matt Quellin who proceeded to fire a shot into the bottom right hand corner. It was certain to be a goal but from nowhere Adam 'the cat' Potts rolled back the years to make a stunning save.
Wilmslow pushed on dominating the 2nd half but fell to the classic sucker punch and Oli Tinkler finished nicely putting Alderley 2-0 up. Undeterred, Wilmslow pushed on – form is temporary but class is permanent. Danny Waugh nearly got an immediate response but unfortunately the ball wouldn't go into the Alderley goal.
In the dying seconds Wilmslow were awarded a free kick 25 yards out. Josh Connelly lashed it into the top corner to make it 2-1. There was hope and corner after corner followed. Alas the final whistle sounded sparing the younger Alderley's blushes.
Great game, great fun, great friends.
Guest post by James Hoyle.
