A sun drench Paycare Ground yesterday hosted a tremendously well supported Wolves All Stars vs Wednesbury AFC Vets charity game held to raise funds for Birmingham Childrens Hospital Critical Journeys Appeal.

The event organised by Gav Ingles and his partner Sarah Tranter was a huge success raising £1,500 with a donation from Darlaston Town (1874) made late yesterday evening.

Both teams were outstanding, the match ending in a 3-3 draw, and the magnificent trophy donated by Premier Trophies of from Darlaston presented by club secretary Gil Preece will of course be shared.

Both team’s line-ups will be listed at the base of this article. But with a slightly delayed kick off due to some players arriving late, saw AFC Bilbrook’s U8’s lead both teams out.

The game started at the usual slow vet’s pace, lots of passes and possession, but all the players soon got into the competitive side of the game.

Wolves centre half for the afternoon Paul Jones rattled the Wednesbury bar from distance with keeper Phil Smart well beaten after a poor clearance from the Wednesbury defence.

Wednesbury AFC Vets certainly had more of the territorial advantage in the opening 15 minutes and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 16th minute, a ball from inside from wide on the left by Rob Perks was met by Andrew Sperring whose great rising shot from 25 years flew passed Wolves All Stars keeper Nick Griffiths clipping the underside of the bar on its way into the net.

Wednesbury doubled their lead in the 19th minute, that man Rob Perks again got behind the Wolves All Stars defence in the left channel, his low cross was met inside the six-yard box by Brett Gibbons, who easily beat the static Wolves defence to score, 2-0 to Wednesbury AFC.

By this time Wolves All Stars had introduced the late ex Nigerian International and current Wolves U23 coach Seyi Olofinjana who was now starting to dictate the midfield. Wolves were gifted their first goal when Darlaston Committee Member Anton Allen blatantly handled the ball after being put under pressure by Josh Skidmore, Referee Alan Sheffield had no choice but to award the All Stars a penalty, which was duly dispatched with ease by centre forward Colin Taylor.

Wolves didn’t stop their Josh Skidmore managed to get on the end of a Olofinjana cross on 29 minutes after great work by Andy Turner wide on the left, looping a brilliant far post looping header into the opposite corner of the goal over the stricken Smart to bring the scores level at 2-2.

The game remained level at the half time interval, when both sides had a deserved rest after playing on a sun-drenched pitch.

Wednesbury AFC started the second half much better than the ex pro’s half chances were created for Darlaston’s Vice Chairman Garry Hale and First Team Manager Andy Parkes, neither were taken, which cost them dear.

15 minutes into the second half, Wolves touchline hugging left winger Andy Turner was at it again, a great cross was met by Greg Walters who great low strike found the net to give Wolves All Stars the lead at 3-2.

The scoring wasn’t finished there, the organiser of the event and co-founder of Wednesbury AFC Gav Ingles for some reason found himself upfront and on 22 minutes he put the strikers in the Wednesbury squad to shame with a left footed volley finish, on the run after a ball from Andrew Sperring. Wolves keeper Griffiths managed to half stop Ingles effort, but the ball just managed to roll over the line to level the scores at 3-3.

In the remaining minutes of the game when legs were heavy and tired, neither side was able to create a clear cut chance to win the game. Both sides were restricted to shots from distance, Parkes for Wednesbury and Brett Hayward for Wolves, but neither could find the back of the net.

The Referee blew the final whistle and brought the game to a finish. 3-3 was a fitting scoreline, a friendly by competitive game played in exactly the right spirit rewarding the spectators that had come to watch the game.

I am sure I speak for Gav in saying thank you for everyone that came to yesterdays game, £1,373.50 was raised on the day, but a donation from Darlaston Town (1874) late yesterday evening brought the closing figure to £1,500 which will be donated to Birmingham Childrens Hospital Critical Journeys Appeal in the coming days.

Photographs of the afternoon and game are available on the club website and can be seen by clicking Wolves All Stars vs Wednesbury AFC Vets

Also, on behalf of organisers Gav and Sarah, I would like to thank the players for giving their time to play, some players travelled great distances for example Wolves All Stars penalty scoring forward Colin Taylor travelled from deepest Suffolk to be at the game.

Final thanks must go to Darlaston Town (1874) and its volunteers, they deserve huge credit for hosting the event, nothing was too much trouble, yesterday was no different to how it is every home game at Darlaston Town (1874) . Everything is meticulously planned and prepared, from the gate, bar, food, changing rooms, ground and surround, we are all very proud of our club, that is only possible because of a team effort of fantastic people.

Nest Saturday sees the last game of the season at The Paycare Ground, Darlaston are hosting the West Midlands (Regional) League Division One Final, kick is 12. 30 pm because of the FA Cup Final and the Royal Wedding. The two teams playing for the trophy are Darlaston’s conquers Wrens Nest, who take on Shropshire’s St. Martins who have been in outstanding form since the tern of the year. On paper it promises to be a good final, come down and have a look.

Don’t forget the Presentation Evening on Saturday 26th May, at The Paycare Ground, keep an eye on the website for further details.

Wolves All Stars
1. Nick Griffiths
2. Mark Duncombe
3. Brett Hayward
4. Neil Edwards
5. Todd Perry
6. Paul Jones
7. Greg Walters
9. Colin Taylor
10. Simon Dunkley
11. Andy Turner
16. Matt Smith

Subs
8. Seyi Olofinjana 
12. Paul Richards
14. Jason Guy
15. Josh Skidmore
17. Mel Eves

Wednesbury AFC Vets
1. Phil Smart
2. Anton Allen
4. Richard Knowles
5. Matt Hall
6. Chris Ingles
7. Andrew Sperring
9. Andy Parkes
10. Garry Hale
13. Gez Bailey
15. Brett Gibbons
16 Rob Perks

Subs
3. Gav Ingles
11.  Brian Palgrave
14. John Reid
17. Mark Taylor