Warrington Borough  v  Greenalls St. Oswalds

Mid Cheshire League Div 2 @ Cantilever Park

Result 0--2

Greenalls began their final match of a long season with promotion secured but knowing only a win would wrestle the coveted League Championship from Trafford whose players attended the game hoping and praying for a slip up.

The match was played on a difficult end of season pitch which inhibited the team's attempts to play their normal passing game and the team suffered a further blow with the early loss of inspirational skipper Ian Whitfield through injury.

As the team regrouped and adjusted to the defensive formation adopted by the home side the game was predictably tight with chances few and far between.

Good work by Taylor in robbing Town's centre half before being cynically taken down almost led to a penalty and the defender was fortunate to escape with a caution only. The best opportunities came to Hennessy whose touch for once in a magnificent season  just let him down after being released by the impressive Bush and Hunt.

The interval came with the game scoreless and the lads knowing it was do or die in the second half.

From the off the midfield trio of Bush, Hunt and Holden took control and began to dominate proceedings as an anxious bench and management team looked on. Cheered on by the impressive support a tiring Hennessy who had given his all went close as the keeper parried and Morris and Holden almost wriggled through before being stopped by last ditch tackles as Town hung on.

As time began to ebb away  and the Trafford contingent became ever more hopeful  Greenalls got the break they had been hoping for. A surging run from Hunt was stopped by a stray arm and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. With manager Ian Lomax unable to watch Morris's weak penalty was saved to rapturous cheers from the Trafford and Warrington crowd.  It was beginning to look like one of those days.

Undeterred, the team manfully surged forward and finally the deserved breakthrough came on 65 minutes. A right wing cross was flicked on by Hunt and Dutton hammered home from 12 yards to the clear delight of those involved.

Town to their credit kept pushing but were contained by the ever reliable Jupp, Johnson and Yog. To their credit the team refused to sit back on the one goal lead and it was Dutton again latching on to sub Andy Taylor's flick who sealed the win and finally settled the nerves with 18 minutes to go. Other sub Dave Holmes went close late on but the game was almost over.

Despite desperate Town pressure the defence with old hand Mally Haill in goal refused to buckle and the final whistle was met with great relief and no little emotion. Ten months of hard work had paid off, everyone had played their part and the team were champions.

Man of the Match. Steve Hunt