CHARITY MATCHES

On Sunday 20 May 2007 we held our second Charity Match at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club. We raised about Ł2,200 for Christies.
Here is the match report:

Following last years superb fundraising event held by High Lane we were once again treated to a fantastic re-visit by Man City All Stars to face the High Lane Veterans team. No one could have expected the success of last year, but amazingly, this event was even better. With former stars Peter Barnes, Jim Melrose, Dave Bennet, Andy May, Andy Morrisson, Steve Redmond, Neil Pointon and many others, plus the inclusion, at Steve Redmond's request to play in a match with his 16 year old son, recently signed for Everton, and surely tipped to be a star of the future, these boy's gave up there time, to give the people of High Lane and Disley a treat.
With a large crowd soaking up the sun and hospitality, offered by the hard work and effort, from the High Lane people, players, managers, committee members, mums, dads, grans and grandads and everyone else who could be ropped in, how could this event not be great?
High Lane Vets, got off to a brilliant start with left sided midfielder Pete Evans latching onto a loose ball in the city area, and slotting home 1-0, Oh dear Man City upped the tempo with former England winger Barnes giving current Bramhall hairdresser Bonner the run around, soon City were making good chances, and shortly after keeper Gowland made a superb point blank save, last years match winner Melrose pounced 1-1. High Lane kept trying to pass the ball around but on 30 mins Melrose struck again 2-1, time for subs off came Skipper Phill Brown (so that he good sneak into the City strip for the second-half) off came the shattered Turkey (saying "that Redmond still plays in the masters") Bonner was carried off (dizzy) Macca and Evans (old age!) on came Milney, Cheets, Morley, Proven, and Lofty. Fresh legs on, and within minutes the ball was getting forward with chances coming for the vets, finally a cross from Williams found Proven stealing in to head at the back post, half-time 2-2. Even the officials looked drained, recently qualified referee Glyn Chorlton with able assistants Josh Chorlton and George Mitchell.
For the second-half, City introduce Everton Starlet Daniel Redmond (what a prospect) within minutes the ball came to him from precise City passing and he slid the ball past Gowland 3-2. change of keeper in goes Kev Nuttal, minutes later and with the vets looking to equalize Morisson turned Morley inside out in the box, foul, penalty, up stepped the youngster to coolly slot home. once again the Vets got back into the game with Barrie Hawker scoring from close range 4-3, then moments later setting up Kev Lofthouse who shot over when the golden chance to equalize was there. On the Vets bench Mike Eastwood tried in vain to get revitalised legs onto the pitch in a bid to get level. At the other end Daniel was at it again, with Doyley and Bri Gee confused why this talented youngster was able to get past the usually unbeatable Platty (no answer to youthful skill) 5-3, even at this late stage Lofty and Hawker still found chances but could not convert, and to cap a superb show Daniel Redmond scored the final goal (his fourth) 6-3, keep an eye on this kid, remember where you saw him first!
Once again the Disley Amalgamated Club provided a superb venue for what was a fantastic event, the support from the local people and businesses was a credit to the area, for what is an extremely worthwhile cause, and gave a fantastic sense of achievement for the people who were involved, and also those who drove this event forward, in particular the Man City All Stars and their Manager Derek Partridge. and to our fantastic Veterans Skipper Phill Brown for his most appreciated efforts.
I have tried to mention everyone involved in the game, sorry if I missed someone! Special thanks for the fantastic gang who ran the burgers, raffle, face painting bouncy castle, bar etc.

On Sunday 23rd April 2006 we held our first Charity Match at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club. We raised about Ł3,000 for Christies in memory of Amanda Fletcher, a brave young lady who lost her brave fight against a rare cancer, only weeks after her seventeenth birthday. Her parents Wendy and Sid said they were grateful and proud to be asked to accept our donations for such a worthwhile cause.
Here is the match report:

After an energetic start from High Lane Vets, the Man City All Stars put them through their paces, passing around them and making them work hard to gain possession, Asa Hartford and Keith Barnes running midfield, but when High Lane had the ball they tried to get forward at every opportunity. Going close first through Stuart Williams, then Archie Potter who blasted just over from outside the box. Eric Nixon in City's goal was not tested until the Vets took an unexpected lead into the break when the Cheshire Veterans League's leading scorer, Barrie Hawker broke the offside trap (maybe) and coolly slotted home.
In the second-half City piled on the pressure with High Lane not being able to get out of their own half. Keeper Lee Gowland rolled back the years catching crosses and making saves, while skipper big Phil Brown and centre-half Mark Platt chased the on rushing Jim Melrose and Ian Brightwell all over the back line. Full back Kev Lofthouse cleared one off the line and Dave Bennett missing the rebound. Eventually City broke through when Steve Redmond was fouled in the box, smashing the resultant penalty past the unlucky Gowland to level the scores. With half an hour left the Vets handed an opportunity to play in front of the 1,200+ crowd to two previous Long Service Award youngsters who rose through the High Lane Junior ranks and now make a huge contribution to coaching the Under 8s and Under 9s. Keeper Nathan Marshall and forward David Wilde were introduced to face the illustrious opposition. But it was Vets player manager Lofthouse, knowing his substitution was imminent, who broke forward from full back and latched onto a superb cross from the right wing who created High Lane's second goal. He was denied by a great save from the City keeper but Pete Evans scored the rebound to put the Vets back in front. High Lane then brought on their remaining subs but could not hold the City All Stars who turned up the heat and scored two quick headed goals through Jim Melrose to give City a 3-2 victory.

That was the match report but the event was the winner. The Man City All Stars team were a credit to the sport and played with an incredible spirit. Each player was superb and treated the people of High Lane and Disley to a spectacle only dreamed of. They left the ground with the greatest respect of all who were privileged to be involved in both watching and playing in this event.
We would like to thank the Manchester City All Stars, all the staff at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club, all our sponsors, everyone who bought a programme and turned up on the day.