Sports for all defeat police in fourth Alliance match

The Sports For All team

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An action packed second half saw members of the local Asian community defeat the officers of GM Police at the fourth annual Alliance football match at Springhill Sports Centre.

The local Asian community side, representing Sports For All, ran out 4-2 winners over the police to end their three year wait for victory in spectacular fashion.

In sweltering conditions the heat rose well into the 20’s off the pitch and despite the charitable nature of the game it was evident both sides were out for the win.

It was the Sports For All team who struck first, however, and the assembled crowd didn’t have to wait long. Five minutes in captain Mohammed Malik led by example and poked his team into the lead following an in-swinging corner.

A busy opening ten minutes saw the two sides battle for control with chances falling to both sides, but both unable to convert.

Possession went back and forward, constantly switching between the two for the remainder of the half but it was the captain’s early strike which gave Sports For All a slender lead going into the break.

The tight affair really opened up in the second half with goals galore. Once again, the spectators didn’t have to wait long for action as Ajaz Hussain doubled Sports For All’s lead and left the Police staring defeat in the face.

However, Scott McClocklan quickly pulled one back for the defending champions making for an exciting second half.

With the game opening up more chances went begging before Jabbar Khan restored Sports For All’s two-goal advantage.

He wasn’t content with just the one goal and soon found himself on the score sheet again making it 4-1 in Sports For All’s favour.

The action continued and GM Police were given the opportunity to pull a goal back when a push in the box resulted in them being awarded a penalty. Tony Hanlon placed the ball on the spot before smashing it high past the keeper.

Seconds after the re-start the ball was in the back of the net again for Sports For All but it was ruled offside and disallowed.

Despite their two-goal cushion Sports For All didn’t sit back and were once again on the attack, a twenty-yard strike that struck the post being their best effort.

With ten minutes left on the clock GM Police pushed on, looking for an avenue back into the game and despite numerous crosses whipped into the box they couldn’t find a way past the Sports For All defence.

Sports For All survived the late pressure and referee Andrew Perrin ended the contest gifting Sports For All their first victory over the police since the event started four years ago.

Sport For All’s two-goal hero, Jabbar Khan, was named man of the match.

Hanief Mohammed, organiser of the event, was quick to praise everyone involved: “When it comes to organising this event, every year the support we receive seems to get better and better.

“In particular I’d like to thank John Mason from Link4Life and the players who give up their spare time to participate in the Alliance match.”

Councillor Shah Wazir, representative of Milkstone and Deeplish, added: “This is a community cohesion event where police and youths interact which is good for the community.

“Games like this help both sides understand each other and hopefully the event will get bigger in the future.”

Police community relations officer Jan Hargreaves described the event as an, ‘opportunity for a sports and social interaction without politics or crime.’

“It’s a change in role for the police and all round people get a new respect for one and other.”

Rochdale’s newly elected MP, Simon Danczuk, was also at the event, he said: “People coming together using football is great; I’m pleased to support the event.

“I’ve got to stay impartial but with the police winning the last three years it is great Sports For All won this time.”

John O Hare, Chief Superintendent of Rochdale police, said: “Sport in general is a universal language and today was very competitive but fair, everyone played to win but afterwards everyone shook hands.”