Match Report: Battle of the Giants

The match

Yesterdays Battle of the Giants was deemed a huge success by people who made it to the Shay.

The match was a typical charity match, with all the usual larking about between the players. Although at times it seemed Hulmey had forgotten it was only a bit of fun. But that just shows he is a 110% man.

The conference team won the match, and it seemed they had not been away. The passing was slick, O'Regan dominated in midfield, the two wing-backs of Bradshaw and Thackeray were seen many times in the opposing penalty box, and Jamie Paterson did many of his custom turns and mazy runs into the penalty box.

For the Intermediate team, the big Chief up front, Wayne Allison, was strong in the air, while in the second half Terry McPhillips was unlucky not to get on the score sheet showing some of his old skills.

If anybody from Reading was watching, they would not have been too happy with the first goal that slipped through Phil Whitehead's hands.

O'regan received the ball just inside the oppositions half and he was encouraged to take the ball forward, when he was about 30 yards out he let rip with his right foot and the ball went straight to Whitehead, who went to make a simple catch, but the ball slipped through his hands like a bar of soap and it was 1-0.

The reply from the Intermediate League winners was almost immediate.

A cross had come into the box after some good play down the right wing, and Wayne Allison was on hand to fire it in past Lee Martin. 1-1

There were also goals for Jamie Paterson, who finished well from an acute angle, and Andy Thackeray who took the ball round the keeper to also finish from an acute angle.

The funniest part of the game was in the second half. Ricky Holden brought the ball into the penalty area and he tried to cross it but it hit Andy Thackeray in the face. The referee pointed to the spot which left Thackeray shaking his head.

Here was a chance for Dean Martin to get one over his brother Lee. And while Dean stepped back to start his run up for the penalty, Andy Thackeray came from nowhere and put the penalty past his own keeper. I think everyone expected the referee to have the penalty taken again, but he signalled a goal and the ball was returned back to the centre circle for the kick off.

The whole afternoon was played in fantastic sunshine and there was a great spirit at the Shay.

Never again will both sets of player be seen together again on the Shay pitch. As town fans, we expect more downs than ups, but if we stick with the club, when the ups do come they don't half feel good. And yesterday felt good. And I was proud to stand in the Shay Stadium and know I have stayed loyal to the club, just like the other fans who were there.

I think a lot of people would love to see some of them lads from yesterday back on the pitch next season.

Lee Martin, Andy Thackeray, Mark Bradshaw, Paul Stoneman, and Jamie Paterson just to name a few. And who could forget Geoff Horsfield. Because of his commitments to Birmingham City, he kicked the match off and then left the pitch straight away. Good luck Geoff.

Obviously the main reason of yesterdays game was to raise funds for the HTST. Well they can be proud of what was achieved because I don't think anybody would have left the Shay yesterday feeling disappointed.