Review of games played week commencing 19/05.

On a sun bathed morning the last two league games following an arduous season were played, both involving Div. two three of the teams vying for the paly off spot.

Sto. Vikings and Edgeley Villa were playing over in the Heaton Mersey Bowl, while champions Hillgate FC were facing Northenden Town, who at the start of the week with two games to play, a win, or even maybe a draw from either game would have got them the runners up spot.

Let me take you back first to Thursday night where they played eighth Hr. Poynton, who have had a good ending to their season. With twenty minutes remaining, it looked as if at least one point was safe in their total but in the closing minutes conceded twice to lose 6-4. Goals from Marcus Graham(2) and one each for Dan Kirkham, Tate Dawson, Ed Jones and Rob Stokoe’s free kick to ruin their dreams. Town’s scorers were Ben Pollard(2) Luke Evans and Harry Hope.

Could they get the vital point needed or better still, the win over the champions Hillgate FC. Well in a lively start to the game their intentions were clear Scott Joyce hit the Hillgate post, then after surviving an offside goal at the other end. Then in a ten minute spell found themselves two goals in front. The first, Calum Pakey dribbled his way into the area but could not get his shot away it was laid back to Luke Evans who showed him how. Five minutes later Ben Pollard hit a ‘screamer’ into the top right hand corner of Leighton Brigano’s net. Stung into action and with only fifteen minutes of the game showing on the clock, Leon Murphy, unbalanced scored from close range for Hillgate’s opener. Game on. Play flowed from end to end, then a long ball out of defence from Hillgate’s Matt Smith Jnr saw Adam Gardiner get their just before Town’s keeper Matt Walker who got a hand to the ball but could not preventing going into the net. Then just before half time Dale Hester squared the ball to Leon Murphy who gave Walker no chance with his shot to give Hillgate the half time lead. There were further goals scored in the second half, but it wasn’t without trying from both sides. The posts were hit at both ends, plus keepers, Walker and Brigano making excellent stops. To put it in a nut shell, a most enjoyable game, played hard but fair, and showing that both treams are more than capable of holding their own in the higher echelons of the league.

With the news filtering through from the exotic named Heaton Mersey Bowl that Sto. Vikings were getting the better of Edgeley Villa could they be the likely runner- up’s. In a game where Villa were their own worst enemies in the defensive department, surrendering more than once with basic errors. Vikings went two nil up, Marcus Purvis and Keenan Bailey scoring before Villa managed a reply with from Jordan Atkinson after Vikings keeper dropped the ball at his feet. Dean Ryan with a long range effort netted Vikings third. Marcus Purvis added his second. At the other end the Atkinson’s Liam and Jack combined for the latter to roll the ball into the empty net. Villa may claim that the warm weather made them drowsy, which seemed the excuse when Solomon Belezeka got his double to end the scoring and secure the runner’s up spot. Well done the Vikings in what proved to be a very competitive division.

The finale of the season will end next Sunday after the H. English Memorial Final between holders Offerton Green looking for a hat trick of wins their opponents are the new boys Mountfield runner’s up to Winston in Div. One. The game will be played at Edgeley Park, on Sunday, the 26th10-45 pm K.O.

But before then Mountfield will meet Bramhall FC in the P. Bailey/ G. Wright Memorial Trophy over at the Avro Sports Centre Oldham on Friday the 24th 7-45 K.O. Good Luck to the teams on both occasions.
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This report contains the words, thoughts and opinions of Keith Coates and not necessarily those of the SDSFL.