Less is More!

In one of the most dramatic games ever seen at Horwich Park, Whaley’s season kicked off last night with, what seemed like, an unlikely win against new boys Altrincham Town Reserves.

Lack lustre in the first half Whaley were second best to a young, quick and incisive Altrincham team who deservedly took the lead after 15 minutes. Quick movement in and around the box culminated in a shot into the roof of the net from 10 yards.

Things didn’t change much before the break and seemed to go from bad to worse immediately after when Broome received his marching orders on 50 minutes and then Tom Street followed a couple of minutes later!

Darryl immediately threw Tom Scorer into the fray to add his usual 100% shear ‘bull-dog’ determination and five minutes later young Will Bailey added a bit more impetus.

Now down to 9 men Whaley could either capitulate or fight for it - they chose the latter. On 60 minutes Lee Morris, with the keeper off his line, fired in a 40 yard shot that was tipped over only for new boy Jake Burnham to head in from the resulting corner. The crowd went mad!

1 – 1. Could Whaley hang on for the next 30 minutes? It seemed implausible with 9 men but now galvanised like never before the crowd started to believe they might actually get something out of the game - probably the most we could expect?

What no one expected was that the home team would secure all the points; but that’s exactly what they did! With Gregory now 'involved' and running the show a through ball found Scorer on one of his typical forward forays, he laid a perfect ball off to Lee Morris who jinked sideways to create space to shoot across goal and into the far corner.

The crowd went utterly bonkers; unbelievable - ultimately a fantastic spectacle and credit to all that took part in a remarkable event.

Tattersall; Anderson; Wood; Gregory; Burnham; Street; Sutton; Broome; Morris; Dwolitka 55; Maund 60.

Scorer 55; Baily(Josh); Bailey(Will) 60; Golpin