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7 December 2008 Match report for Wilmslow Town Veterans 5 - 4 away defeat to Manchester Utd Staff (05/12/2008)
Wilmslow Albion Veterans took a break in their Cheshire League and Cup schedule to accept an invitation to play the Manchester United Staff XI at their state of the art training complex at Carrington today.
Albion arrived with a strong squad for this unique friendly and were soon in awe of the splendid facilities at their disposal. Playing on a pitch that doesn't resemble a swamp is unique at grass roots football so to play on a pitch that is prepared for the Champions of Europe was going to be a delight for the Albion playmakers.
The match started predictably with the Manchester United team stroking the ball around effortlessly and it was no surprise when they went 1-0 up. Good work by the United winger saw his cross zip across the box were it was met by the lunging foot of the unlucky Albion Captain Jackson and it flew into the top corner of the goal. It wasn't long before United were 2-0 up. Failing to clear the lines effectively, the ball fell to the United forward who flashed the ball past the diving King.
United weren't going to have it all their own way and following some excellent play the ball was headed home by Barber. Minutes later a surging run by Lee saw him fall in the box under a challenge and the penalty was awarded. Cooly Barber stepped up to fire home to level the contest.
Within minutes United went ahead again. Poor clearances meant again the ball fell to a United player who stroked the ball home through a crowd of Albion legs. United increased their lead further when after a dubious offside decision the forward ran through and fired into the bottom corner.
Plucky Albion kept up the fight and shortly before half time some more good midfield play saw the ball crossed long for Barber to head home bravely at the back post.
The second half began with Albion containing United bravely and some neat play saw Albion come close a couple of times. A curling shot from Goodwin saw the keeper palm the ball away at full stretch and a fierce shot from Hopkins had all beaten except the crossbar.
Affleck fired wide and Albion started to look the better team until a driven shot ricoched off the unlucky Brindley leaving keeper King stranded. 5-3 to United and with time running out Albion piled on the pressure. A rare mistake from the United defence saw Royle intercept a crossfield pass and strike the ball home from 25 yards to make it 5-4.
Alas time had run out and Manchester United were victorious. A brave performance from the Albion Veterans against a younger, fitter team, many of whom assist in the coaching for the European Champions.
Albions next fixture is this Sunday, 7th Dec.1100KO at Egerton FC
Team : A King, D Beech, N Brindley, P Dawson, D Jackson, C Phythian, P Wilson, P Affleck, M Arrowsmith, B Carden,
A Fenton, D Goodwin, S Griffith, G Harris, C Hopkins, A Price, K Barber, D Hall, C Lee, T Royle
 Goals : K Barber (3), T Royle
Source: T Royle << to news index
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