DUDLEY’S Hartshill Strollers walking football club have lifted their first silverware of 2016 by winning the over-60s Winter Shield.
The local veterans, based at Kingswinford's Summerhill School, were already 2-1 ahead in the four-match series – so a win or draw against opponents Beechcroft at Hall Green, Birmingham, would secure victory.
But Hartshill were in no mood for a negative stroll in the park and were determined to win out-right.
It was a tense game with both teams on top form and well balanced. Hartshill went close to scoring on a number of occasions.
So did the hosts but Kevin Weston in sparkling form in goal for the Strollers, keeping a blank sheet.
The deadlock was broken in the 21st minute when defender Tony Beckley – later named man of the match - danced through the opposition to collect a square pass which he drilled into the net.
The rest of the match was end-to-end stuff with both sides having their chances but the match ended 1-0.
Bob Haywood, Hartshill Over 60s manager, said: “It was a nervy affair but we deserved to win the match which was played in a highly sporting manner by both teams.”
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