2005/2006
On Sunday 23rd April 2006 we held our 1st Charity Match at Disley Amalgamated Sports Club,
High Lane Veterans v Manchester City All Stars. We raised about £3,000 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.
