You had to be there!

This was a big game and although the home side had already bagged a 10 point lead at the top of the table Poynton, along with one or two other clubs, still have enough games in-hand to take the title race to the wire.

Bullied and allowed little space by an organized, aggressive and physical Poynton team with Simpson, Challinor and Garvey controlling things Whaley looked nervous, lacklustre and second best for most of the first 45 and it was no real surprise when the visitors stuck 2 past them to make it a mountain to climb! The first was a well worked goal; Simpson scoring at the near post after a Toole free kick. The second, although resulting from a poor clearance, a fantastic strike again by Simpson from 25 yards giving Tatattersall no chance. So 0 – 2 down at half time and with the big ‘last home game’ crowd stunned it all looked over bar the shouting.

Something had to change and Joe Burgess came on after the interval and Bill Sutton moved out wide but with Poynton inexplicably losing composure though still 2 up, Josh Stafford seeing red for violent conduct, Captain Rob Newton rose at the far post to connect with a Sutton free kick to make it 1 - 2.

The tempo rose immediately and it wasn’t long before Joe Burgess, racing in on goal with a herd of defenders at his heels, got his head to a cross to nod in the second after good work from Gregory and Sutton. 2 -2 and the crowd erupted!

Streets dropped back into defence for the injured Joe Armstrong and Broome, back after suspension, came on to add his usual grit and energy and with Poynton now on the back foot Jack Gregory moved into midfield to make it a back 3.

At half time no one could have expected this and even now most would have taken a draw but the home side were still at it and with only a couple of minutes to spare Tom Scorer did it again. Having been fairly quiet, Gerd Muller like, throughout the game he was first to latch on to a Burgess grubber pulled back across the 6 yard box to seal all 3 points; a massive boost to Whaley’s title hopes.

A fantastic afternoon’s entertainment for the spectators and a real example of the Whaley spirit……… see you all at the final when Whaley again play Poynton on the 13^th.

Tattersall; Gregory; Armstrong (70); Newton (C)(1); Gemmill; Kelly (45); Sutton; Streets; Barlow; Morris; Scorer (1)

Burgess (45)(1); Broome (70); Drayson; W Bailey; J Bailey