Stand must still play again

IT took five weeks to finally get a match on, three of those weeks were involving this Manchester Cup tie, and after two hours of hard slog on a tricky Elms pitch, nothing has still been decided, and it must now be decided again this Saturday.

Willows switched his match to Stands Elms Park ground, after both their own Salteye Park and Ewood Bridge were unfit and both set of players gave everything on what turned out to be an epic match, Willows started the game brightly, and took the game to the Finnair Manchester League champions, and showed their intention was to get down Stands flanks, but after twenty minutes, Stand began to dominate and carve out the best chances. Mark Wilson going the nearest, but after 35 minutes, the danger shown down Willows right hand side was seen to bare fruit as Helme headed powerfully home from a bye line cross, but the lead was not to last long, Karl Brown worked the ball through to Wilson, who rounded the keeper and slotted home. Stand increased the pressure but failed to add before half time.

The second half saw Willows again start brightly, but it was only brief as Stand looked to take the lead, trying to play the brand of quick passing football over the bobbly and wet surface and it was always a matter of time before a second goal came, Wilson's driven corner was met by Steve Browns head, and his header was directed into the net from close range by Mark Bartholomew's head, it now seemed to be settled, but Willows to their credit kept battling on, and when Wilson missed a chance in the final minutes to wrap things up, Willows went down field and Helme who had been a thorn in Stands side at times, was tripped up in the box by Gallagher, he got up and converted the spot kick himself to force extra time.

No one wanted extra-time, not after such a long lay-off, but again the game twisted and turned, a low cross from the left missed every Stand defender and Mulligan was on hand to put his side into the lead after five minutes, it then took a further twenty minutes for Stand pressure to result in Wilson equalising from his own rebound after first hitting the keepers legs. It was pulsating stuf, but on reflection no one deserved to loose despite Stand having the better of the game, so it looks more then likely to be Elms again this Saturday unless Ewood Bridge is fit. TEAM: Rooney, Channon, Davis, Gallagher, Telfer, O'Brien (Leonard 75mins), Brown K, Vine-Jones, Bartholomew, Wilson Brown, 5.

Stand will hope to have Neil Dawes, Chris Curran and Mark Denham back available this Saturday but Steve Stott is till out with a head injury. If details of this Saturdays match are needed, please phone 07803-430510.

It's the last chance for tickets for this Tuesday's sportman's dinner at Philips Park Hall, Whitefield, so to obtain tickets or provide sponsorship, please call Dave Jackson on 0161-488-5804 or 0161-796-0353.

Kick off this Saturday is 2pm.

WILLOWS...3

STAND ATHLETIC...3

(after extra time)

IT took five weeks to finally get a match on, three of those weeks were involving this Manchester Cup tie, and after two hours of hard slog on a tricky Elms pitch, nothing has still been decided, and it must now be decided again this Saturday.

Willows switched his match to Stand's Elms Park ground, after both their own Salteye Park and Ewood Bridge were unfit and both set of players gave everything on what turned out to be an epic match, Willows started the game brightly, and took the game to the Finnair Manchester League champions, and showed their intention was to get down Stands flanks, but after twenty minutes, Stand began to dominate and carve out the best chances. Mark Wilson going the nearest, but after 35 minutes, the danger shown down Willows right hand side was seen to bare fruit as Helme headed powerfully home from a bye line cross, but the lead was not to last long, Karl Brown worked the ball through to Wilson, who rounded the keeper and slotted home. Stand increased the pressure but failed to add before half time.

Quick

The second half saw Willows again start brightly, but it was only brief as Stand looked to take the lead, trying to play the brand of quick passing football over the bobbly and wet surface and it was always a matter of time before a second goal came, Wilson's driven corner was met by Steve Browns head, and his header was directed into the net from close range by Mark Bartholomew's head, it now seemed to be settled, but Willows to their credit kept battling on, and when Wilson missed a chance in the final minutes to wrap things up, Willows went down field and Helme who had been a thorn in Stands side at times, was tripped up in the box by Gallagher, he got up and converted the spot kick himself to force extra time.

No one wanted extra-time, not after such a long lay-off, but again the game twisted and turned, a low cross from the left missed every Stand defender and Mulligan was on hand to put his side into the lead after five minutes, it then took a further twenty minutes for Stand pressure to result in Wilson equalising from his own rebound after first hitting the keepers legs. It was pulsating stuf, but on reflection no one deserved to lose despite Stand having the better of the game, so it looks more then likely to be Elms again next Saturday unless Ewood Bridge is fit. TEAM: Rooney, Channon, Davis, Gallagher, Telfer, O'Brien (Leonard 75mins), Brown K, Vine-Jones, Bartholomew, Wilson, Brown.