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Veterans survive damp and mud - for a title chasing draw
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15 March 2009 Match report for Wilmslow Town Veterans 2 - 2 away draw with Prestfield (15/03/2009)
Albion took a Sunday afternoon drive to the hills of Whitefield with the hope that they could extract revenge for last month's defeat to the same opposition and that they could climb back up to second place in the league. With Spring firmly in the air and in our steps, Wilmslow were looking for a decent pitch to demonstrate their return to form and prove that early season successes were a true indication of their ability.
When the venue was eventually located, let's just say that the warmer weather hadn't yet had chance to dry the playing surface, nor the damp that festered in the changing rooms. The pitch was bordering on unplayable in several places and another hard slog through the mud faced both teams.
The first half produced limited chances for either team and neither keeper was seriously tested. Prestfield played the better passing game in the poor conditions but were regularly snuffed out by the new defensive system that Albion have utilised in recent weeks. Where Prestfield found the time to pass and move, Wilmslow were more hit and hope and, despite recent improvement, they still need to work on retaining possession. Steve Jackson decided to let his feet, rather than mouth, do the talking this time, having been dismissed for dissent when the teams last met, and he worked tirelessly and held the ball up well. Manager Royle treated himself to a rare start in the absence of Kevin Barber, who had claimed injury when we all know it was Lisa's turn to wear the trousers this weekend!
Recent form player, Andy Price, had taken an alcohol fuelled trip to Twickenham and his absence paved the way for the other tenacious Andrew (Mr Fenton) to ably fill the midfield void.
With the first half staying goalless, Albion were hoping to lift their game in the second and gain a valuable 3 points.
Prestfield remained the stronger looking team but were starting to worry about Albion breaks and found favour with the referee by appealing for anything and everything and generally getting it. In fairness to the Ref, it is easy to be swayed by such a vociferous approach and the lack of proper line markings added to his problems.
Albion continued their hard toil throughout the team and refused to yield to the Prestfield pressure. With an hour on the clock, Fenton delivered a pinpoint corner for Wilson to climb, eyes shut, above the home defence and power the ball home with the back of his head. Get in there!!
The visitors absorbed more pressure without too much incident and soon found chance to double their lead. Royle laid the ball (or so he asked me to write!) to Harris, Harris delivered a beautiful cross and that veteran of veterans, Steve Jackson tucked his header just inside the post. Two nil, game over, 3 points in the bag........or so we thought!
With time ebbing away, Wilmslow looked in little danger of surrendering their lead until bizarre circumstances turned the game on its head. Firstly, having won the ball at the back, Griff managed to scoop it back into our own penalty area and the unmarked forward gave Andy King no chance of saving his shot to the corner. That goal came with 6 minutes on the clock and lifted the Prestfield spirits. King comfortably gathered in his six yard box only for the Ref to be hoodwinked by another bogus appeal and award a corner. Albion were still debating the ridiculous decision when the corner came in and was nodded home.
4 minutes still remained and Wilmslow would have gone home empty handed but for a superb one handed save by Kingy. Thanks Andy, dropping 2 points was irritating but losing the 3rd would have killed our season
 Man of the Match: Steve Jackson
Team : A King, D Beech, N Brindley, P Dawson, D Jackson, R Salt, P Wilson, P Affleck, B Carden, A Fenton, D Goodwin,
S Griffith, G Harris, D Hall, S Jackson, T Royle
 Goals : P Wilson, S Jackson
 Assists : A Fenton, G Harris
Source: B Carden << to news index
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