The Royal Oak – Hartshill

The annual Les Hornsby Memorial Match in aid of the Air Ambulance takes place this Sunday.

Hartshill Rec is the venue for the game between Saturday side Hartshill FC and Sunday League outfit Hartshill Sports in loving memory of Les who was well known by all involved.

The Air Ambulance was his favourite charity and for the third year the two sides clash for bragging rights and the beautiful cut glass trophy.

Everyone is welcome at the rec for the 11am kick off where respects will be paid to Les and thought will also undoubtedly turn to the late Sam Turpie whose life was so cruelly cut short during the first running of the event just over two years ago.

After the game everyone is back here at The Oak for the presentation followed by live entertainment throughout the afternoon and into the night.

Officials from the Air Ambulance will be present throughout the day as we attempt to raise as much cash as possible for what is undoubtedly a very worthy cause.

Louis O`Neill’s brilliant extra-time goal saw Hartshill Sports Reserves lift the Pete Smith Memorial Trophy at Bermuda this afternoon (Sunday April 12).

The youngster’s curling 20 yard effort left the Haunchwood Reserves keeper rooted to the spot and sparked celebrations on the touchline as the club lifted thier first peice of silverware for three seasons and their eighth since joining the sunday league 21 seasons ago.

Lee Molineaux had given the Royal Oak based side a deserved lead in the second half of normal time as they dominated the majority of the match.

However a penalty to Haunchwood in the final five minutes forced the extra half an hour.

The game then needed a hero and although there were many excellent performances on the day, notably from man of the match Jamie Beddow, it is O`Neill who will be remembered.

The victory comes as sweet success for the club following the disappointment of seeing the first team miss out on the same pitch a week earlier in a penalty shoot out against Drayton in the Premier One Cup Final.

Celebrations continued into the night back at The Oak with a huge turn out enjoying the Sam Evans Soul Night  in the bar.

Congratulations to everyone involved with the club and especially to the  winning players and management who on the day were:

John Knight, Mark Whittaker, John Rolland, Arnie Griffiths, Louis O`Neill, Alex Kerr, Jamie Beddow, Paul Barker, Lee Molieaux, Sam Rose, Adam Rodger, Tom Norman, Kyle Wright, Liam Baginskis, Stephen Dixon, Adam Jones, Aaron Banks and Chris O`Neill.

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