An Aria for Altrincham

Skrill North Play-off semi-final 2nd leg between Altrincham and Hednesford.

After a rip-roaring first leg last Wednesday that ended 2 goals apiece, there was everything still to play for in the return leg. The league's 2 highest scoring teams locked horns for 83 minutes, before a frantic final 7 when, first, Hednesford took the lead and then Altrincham replied with 2 goals in quick succession to win the tie.

At the final whistle the roar from the 2000 present was as much about relief as it was joy. It was a match that exemplified what non-league football is all about, local communities celebrating together without the corporate bias. It'll be a day that young boys and old men will remember for years to come.

I took this as the final whistle was blown. Perhaps as you'd expect, there was very little structure to the composition, however, the raised arm of the man standing in front of me reminded me of an opera singer rather than a football supporter.