Sam’s salute to High Crompton

FC Broadgate 1, High Crompton CC 2

SAM WIDDALL, the captain of FC Broadgate, praised High Crompton CC in the aftermath of their D&J Builders (North West) Ltd Oldham Sunday League clash at Cathedral Road.

All three Jack Abbott premier division points went to High Crompton courtesy of a 2-1 win, and the home side’s skipper was quick to salute the victors.

Widdall said: “They are a good model to follow in this division and I think they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

“They are a strong team, hard to break down, and very well organised.”

If it were not for emergency action at New Barn playing fields in January earlier this year, when Broadgate took on Crompton and Royton in a first division fixture, the truth is that 22-year-old Widdall might not have been here to praise his opponents.

On that day, Widdall’s collapsed in a heap on the pitch after his heart had stopped beating.

It was only the quick thinking of his team-mates and the support of the emergency services that ultimately saved his life.

Widdall recovered to make his comeback towards the end of last season and has been a regular in the side in the present campaign.

He said: “I now have a defibrillator fitted in my chest so that if my heart stops again, it will be restarted at once.”

And while Widdall’s words of acclaim for High Crompton were honourable, it was his philosophy on his own circumstances that could, indeed, be a model to follow for anyone in a similar situation.

His return to the game obviously gave rise to concern among family and friends, but Widdall added: “You only live once, so you’ve got to carry on and do things as you normally would.”

NO DISGRACE

The result left Broadgate in mid-table in the league’s top-flight following promotion last season.

Defeat at home to the former champions was no disgrace, especially when Broadgate had to play Rob Laurent in goal owing to the absence, through injury, of regular ’keeper Jamie Thompson.

Mick Campbell gave High Crompton the lead, heading home a Danny Trainer cross at the far post.

Broadgate were level 10 minutes later when a Sam Hinchcliffe flag kick was met with a bullet header from Danny Codling.

High Crompton’s winner came on the hour mark, with Trainer’s header taking the slightest of deflections off Broadgate’s Mark Ireson to leave Laurent well beaten.

Widdall, who along with High Crompton’s Andy Duffy got the man-of-the-match votes, said: “There are no easy games in this division, but we have made a promising start.”