Saturday, 26 August 2017

Match report: Weatherfield County vs Oakhill Athletic


In the first of what I hope may be regular reports, sports journalist Nathan Spafford gives us a very special report from today's Weatherfield County game.  

Find out more about Weatherfield County FC here.

Weatherfield County began the season in stellar fashion, defeating local rivals Oakhill Athletic 3-2 thanks to a late winner from star striker Tommy Orpington.

For Orpington, it was a welcome return to first team action having endured an injury hit campaign last season following an incident with two local fans and he marked his return in style, netting the decisive fifth goal of the game with seconds left on the clock.

With the start of the Greater Manchester season having been delayed by the ‘summer weather’, the nerves of the 284 fans in attendance were palpable but any fears were soon laid to rest by a stunning opener from Keith Johnson just five minutes into the contest.

Having held possession for the majority of the opening period, a lay off from Jake Webster (no relation) found Johnson on the edge of the box and he hit a shot sweeter than a bag of confectionary from The Kabin.

Oakhill were not about to lay down though, and two goals for the opposition came quicker than Steve McDonald can say ‘Will you marry me?’, leading to distressing groans from the Weatherfield faithful whose luminous replica kits looked a much healthier shade of green than the bobbly playing surface which surely had a part to play in the equaliser as goal keeper Tom Hastings let a weak effort from the edge of the area bounce over his outstretched arms before an own goal allowed the visitors the lead at the break.

The second half was a much more pleasant one for the home crowd, and in particular one Oliver McDonald who was in attendance for his first ever match sporting a slightly oversized strip to match that of his father’s rather tight attire.

Having levelled on the hour mark thanks largely to a stunning dribble from Orpington past no fewer than four of the opposition, affording Webster the easiest of tap ins, the winner came in injury time as Orpington headed in at the back post to send the home support, and mascot Ronnie the Rooster, into raptures with the eight foot bird joining in the team celebrations at the end of a smash and grab Jim McDonald would have been proud of.

Nathan Spafford


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