MORE than 30 old friends and team mates took to the pitch to honour Mr Moore United Billy Green.
This was the second Billy Green memorial match after last year’s 1-1 draw. Notable attendants in the modest crowd were Billy’s widow Dot and Moore United FC President Dave Jones.
The match was scheduled to take place at the Grange Sports & Social Club in Latchford, but storm Doris and constant rain resulted in a last minute change to the Orford Jubilee Hub 4G pitch.
The game turned out to be a 7 goal thriller. The lead switched from both sides with a few contenders for goal of the season. Amongst the teams, all former players under Billy Green, were father and son, three sets of brothers and numerous cousins.
Billy’s Boys in Red started the better of the two teams with more possession and better passing than Dot’s Dynamos in Blue. Against the run of play the Dot’s Dynamos took the lead when a cross the left went under Kris Taylor’s foot only to fall to Matt McKay on the right who controlled and finished well to Balmer’s right hand side of the goal. The reds responded immediately when James Mullaney held the ball up well in the opposing penalty area and lay the ball off well for Dave Willetts to finish with ease giving Scott Taylor in goal no chance.
Taylor was only playing in goal due to Warrington Town Chairman Toby Macormac turning up late as usual.
Both teams then struggled in the windy conditions with Lee Willott in particular using the wind as an excuse for his wayward passing. Just before half time Billy’s Boys took the lead when a hopeful ball in to the box looked like it would be cleared by right back Ant Cunningham. His miss timed header fell for Phil McKay on the edge of the box who hit the ball with the outside of his left foot to dip in to the top corner to give Billy’s Boys a 2-1 lead at half time.
Both teams shuffled the pack at half time making full use of the 15/16 men in each squad. Phil Cunningham donned the gloves from Scott Taylor proving to be pivotal in the final outcome.
Second half underway and Dot’s Dynamos dominated early with Dave Balmer called in to action to pull off a great double save from Scott Taylor’s shot then pushing his header away for a corner. From the resulting corner Neil O’Dwyer’s perfect delivery was well finished by Scott Taylor with a point blank header. Taylor easily avoided his marker Matty “Bonecrusher” Hand even predicting “goal” in the ear of Hand whilst the cross was in the air… 2-2 game on.
Billy’s Boys then had their best spell of the game with Adam Coleman, Sean Willott and Dave Willetts dominating the midfield. Andy Lane tested Phil Cunningham in Dot’s goal, but a stiff left hand tipped the powerful shot over the bar. The ever energetic or some might say headless chicken Kris Taylor then restored Dot’s Dynamos lead when finishing from a tight angle after Balmer had made a decent save. 3-2 to Dot’s Dynamos.
Billy’s Boys were still camped in the Dynamos half and Sean Willott managed to get a good shot away from the edge of the box only for the fingertips of Phil Cunningham to glance it over the bar.
Within a few Minutes Sean was at it again with a good run towards goal, but this time a powerful low shot was good enough to beat “flying pig” Cunningham to level the game at 3-3.
Both teams had good pressure with the game coming to a close and with 10 minutes to go Matt McKay scored the goal of the game and what would be the match winner to better Uncle Phil’s finish in the same corner of the goal with a right footed curler in to the top corner.
Ste Carr who in his playing days was called the “white Ronaldo” nearly made it 5-3 just putting it wide when well placed in the box. Chris Rowson almost equalised in the last minute, glancing a header over the bar.
Bragging rights this year go to Dot’s Dynamos and brag they did afterwards over drinks back at the Grange the home of Moore Vets.
Fall of the day was evenly contested between Gaz Cunny, James Mullaney & Ant Cunny, but the clear winner was Stevie Lane.
Best limp was between Dave and Phil Cunny.
Solid performers on the day were Shaw, Buchanan, Ellis, Rowson, Carter, Baguely, Balmer, McQuillan, Gaskell, Willott, Willetts and Coleman, but MOM with his brace and winning goal went to Matt McKay.
Thanks to Adam Dakin, Keith Sheridan and Matt Hand for organising the day and all the spectators and players who donated with all proceeds to the Alzheimer’s Society. Thanks to Referee Graham Marsh who donated his Match Fee back to the charity and Orford Jubilee Hub for accommodating the late pitch change. Also thanks to Amanda at the Grange for the superb hospitality on offer for everyone after the game.
Hopefully see you all again next year. Any former players wishing to take part contact the club via the website.
Billy’s widow Dot presents the trophy to the winning captain
