06/04/2019

One to forget !

Whaley rested Toseland after injury last game but hopefully he will be fit for inclusion in the squad come the County Cup final on the 17th; Gregory & Gilbride also rested and on the bench. On a bobbly pitch it was difficult for either team to string much together and not a great deal worth reporting on. To be honest after what was witnessed, especially first half, yesterday it’s probably best not to dwell further on the matter although there was no doubt Crewe were the more competitive and worked harder to deservedly go in front through Southern half way through the half.

Second half and a different format with 3 at the back and all subs on filling the midfield did exactly what it said on the tin with the home side dominating throughout but unfortunately not being able to make the necessary break through to level the scores.

As a foot note Whaley accept that on the day Crewe probably did deserve their win but there is a way of winning with some dignity and with some respect for others. Whaley’s encounter at the Cumberland arena a couple of weeks ago was marred by a supporter(s) wanting to fight visiting players and today’s game was again marred by Crewe’s aggressive & threatening team management wanting to fight, without provocation, along with some disgraceful verbal abuse. Whaley’s Manager did ultimately receive an apology from a Crewe official which was appreciated but Crewe, a decent club run by decent people, surely don’t need to be embarrassed by the disgraceful conduct of those purporting to represent their club yesterday.

The Club apologises to anyone within earshot; Whaley Bridge AFC is run by decent people with decent values and ‘no one’ within the club would even contemplate acting like that; no wonder decent folk are forced to consider leaving the game because of incidents like this! The match Officials E Holman, I Cliff and J Collins deserve credit for the way they handled the game in difficult circumstances.

Man of the match Crewe’s Mike Blundell

Whaley Bridge

Tattersall; Bailey; Sutton (c); Kay J Gemmell; O’Donnell; Drayson; Broome; Langford; Dwyer; Leadbetter

Dunn; Gregory; Gilbride