Heaton Mersey are gunning for a treble
Heaton Mersey are gunning for a treble of titles after winning
their second piece of silverware.
Having secured the North of England League Premier Division
crown a fortnight ago, the Oakley Villas club triumphed 5-4
against Wilmslow to win the Stockport Easter Eights competition
at Beech Road on Sunday.
And a victory against Stockport, their arch-rivals, in the
Daily Telegraph Senior Flags final on Sunday, at Rochdale,
would complete a memorable season for Mersey.
Thomas Gallagher led the charge with two goals, while Chris
Battersby, John Beadle and midfielder Steve Grace were all
on the scoresheet for Mersey, who have only lost once this
term.
Chris Mountney and Bill Parker, the England Under-19 midfielder,
replied with two goals each for Wilmslow, but their efforts
were not enough for the 2001 and 2002 winners.
“It was nip and tuck all the way, but we were a little
disappointed that we didn’t snatch it in the end,”
admitted Daniel Green, the Wilmslow captain.
“I don’t know what it is, but we seem to play
superbly in the Eights and we should have won with the amount
of chances we had. I’m looking forward to the new season.
Reaching this year’s final is a big confidence booster
for us.”
Richard Smith, Mersey’s England goalkeeper, was understandably
delighted with his team’s performance.
And Smith is confident Mersey still have enough in the tank
to beat Stockport this weekend.
Mersey and Stockport met in the 2002 Flags final with Smith's
team taking the honours after a tense 14-13 overtime victory.
Results
STOCKPORT EASTER EIGHTS (Beech Road, Stockport) - Final: Heaton
Mersey 5, Wilmslow 4. Semi-finals: Heaton Mersey 6, Mellor
1; Wilmslow 4, Manchester Waconians 3. Plate final: Nottingham
8, Penarth 1.
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