Aston Villa Old Stars vs. QE School PTA X1

Sunday 16th March 2008

Queen Elizabeth School, Atherstone, Warwickshire

'OLD STARS PASS TEST WITH HONOURS'

The Aston Villa Old Stars, sponsored by Gemini Wealth Management, went back to school and finished top of the class with a 1-0 win against a very good team in front of another large crowd.

The Queen Elizabeth School PTA either has the most talented collection of footballers in the country or, as we suspect, they drafted in quite a few 'ringers' to take on the Aston Villa Old Stars. Whatever the case, they proved difficult opponents and played extremely well.

Although missing the injured Tony Morley and 'birthday boy' Pat Heard from the previous week, the Old Stars fielded a strong side with the 'international' midfield trio of Des Bremner, Mark Kinsella and Gordon Cowans all giving outstanding performances.

The Old Stars' superior passing ability afforded them the greater share of possession in the first half but they could not break down their opponent's dogged defence. What chances they did create were quickly snuffed out by good defending and fine goalkeeping from Derek Dudley. As the half wore on, the Queen Elizabeth School PTA X1 came more into the game and counter-attacked well but rarely troubled the Old Stars goal due to solid defensive work by the Villa team, whose centre-backs Darren Bradley and Gavin Price were superb.

Even though it remained goalless at half time, it was a very entertaining game with both teams playing attractive and attacking football.

The Old Stars started the second half very brightly and mounted attack after attack on their opponent's goal. David Norton and Darren Roberts both brought out excellent saves from the goalkeeper, as did Des Bremner with a low left-footed shot from 18 yards that looked destined for the corner. A sublime piece of skill from Mark Kinsella took him past two opponents and then another two before he unleashed a pile-driver from just outside the penalty area that the keeper pushed over the bar.

Centre-back Darren Bradley was pushing forward at every opportunity to support the attacks and it was he who broke the deadlock in the 65th minute after receiving a pass from Des Bremner and coolly slotting home a low shot from 16 yards into the corner of the goal. The Queen Elizabeth School PTA X1 worked hard for an equaliser but the Old Stars defence stood firm and resolute.

The Old Stars were drawing their opponent's on and began to counter-attack at speed and it was the Villa men who looked most likely to score next. However, the match finished 1-0 to the Aston Villa Old Stars, which was a fitting reward for their high-quality performance.

Every member of the team played superbly well and it was very difficult to pick a 'man of the match' but Aston Villa's European cup-winning legend Des Bremner took the accolade by a whisker in front of Mark Kinsella, Gordon Cowans and Darren Bradley in particular.

The Old Stars 'stand-in' manager for the day Neil Rioch commented, "this was perhaps the most difficult game we will play this year and it was probably the best overall performance by the Aston Villa Old Stars team for a couple of years." He continued, "the skill of the players is never in question and the sheer determination and desire to win demonstrated here today by all of them shows why they were, and still are, top professionals. It may be a charity match, but once these guys cross the white line, their professional instincts kick in and they play to win. I'm particularly pleased that they managed to keep a clean sheet without my help at the centre of defence".