TRIPLE WHAMMY

VALEOF LUNE  3  WINNINGTON PARK  8

It all began so well. Eimear applied the lippy, pouted and posed for the staff photograph, she was undoubtedly Queen of the Mardi Gras, then there was the choice of salmon or steak pudding on the pre match menu, Richard and Malcolm were building themselves up for the evening karaoke when the renowned Tony West promised to make them 'sound like a star!' and the October sun blazed again on a green blanket that was bisected geometrically with brilliant white lines.

But it all went wrong .................

Once more the Vale of Lune were hand bagged in their avenues and alleyways. The game was full of memories, some too painful to remember, others too painful to forget, but if there was a chance to do it all again would it be different? Another losing game came to an end, but life goes on and hopefully all the dreams will not be gone forever; try to remember those days when the bells were chiming.

Winnington Park arrived on the back of a home win against Broughton Park, revenge in their heart for what the Vale had done to them way back in April; before the sun went down, their dreams had come true and at least they were able to sleep like a baby. Park proved in the eighth minute that the strong and quick can survive when Nick Shaw thrust aside would be tacklers for an unconverted try.

This was the only score of a half that contained all the thrills that are associated with watching paint dry and produced much furrowing of brows and plenty of hand wringing. Unfortunately events only marginally changed in the second verse. Any wonder that the supporters cast envious eyes in the direction of the Crempitch, which appeared to be a veritable hive of activity.  ( Vikings 37  Burnley  14 )

A penalty goal from Andrew Garnett five minutes into the seconf half whetted the appetite and almost made the pieces fit, but the Vale failed to sing their song in tune. Unfortunately for the Vale, the king of hearts was well concealed as they tried to construct a winning hand. The Vale were far from safe in the sunshine and a penalty goal from Ben Barton in the seventy fifth minute ensured that the church bells were ringing for his side and they could hear the song of joy it was singing as they re grouped in their own half.
So Park left for Burrows Hill, hugging their pillow, leaving the Vale weeping like a willow, and all alone at the carousel.

A trip on Saturday awaits, not to Reno or Las Vegas, but to Edgeley Road, Whitchurch. In the meantime, before boarding the charabanc
'When the day is dawning on a Texas Sunday morning, how I long to be there, with Marie who's waiting for me there............'

VALE OF LUNE:  A.Miller, J.Curran, J.Bryan, A.Garnett, A.Richards, N.Bennetts (Capt), M.Walker, P.Jackson, G.Barton (Rep D.Schuyler 13), A.Cowey (Rep D.Halliwell 60), L.Farnworth (Rep J.Payne 76) M.Speight, L.Ford, D.Lin, M.Fowler.

Match Sponsors - Blackhurst Swainson Goodier Solicitors
Match Ball Sponsors - Elwyn and Niall Watkins
Bannister Bates Man of the Match - Not awarded - no surprise!!