Matt Burton’s long wait for a win as Alport manager finally arrived ahead of the weekend clash against promotion chasing Longridge at an emotionally-charged Yockings Park.

A 3–0 romp at bottom club Litherland REMYCA set Burton’s men up nicely for Saturday but they came up against the best side they have played all season and went down narrowly by the odd goal in three.

Saturday though, was about much more than a game of football. Two weeks ago – and in tragic circumstances – Reds fan Aaron Millington was involved in a fatal car crash in the early hours of January 5th and died the next day aged just 22.

The club, and the town, united as one to pay their respects to Azza with a minutes applause ahead of kick-off and 22 red and white balloons released by his father Tony and uncle Barry in the centre circle.

The TimeKeeper matchday programme carried several poignant pictures of Aaron and even visitors Longridge played their part with a lovely floral tribute left on the gates at the entrance to the stadium.

A season’s high of 424 packed the ground and watched a terrific game of football which the away side just shaded.

Chairman, Luke Goddard, was a proud man when he looked back on what the club had achieved off the field.

“We had to make sure that everything we did on Saturday was on point and I’m delighted that once again our amazing volunteers pulled it off,” he said.

“Our supporters have always been magnificent here but more than that, the whole town came together to honour one of their own.

"Aaron’s family were our guests and I know we gave them a day to remember."

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This club is such a big part of me and days like today emphasised how special it is to so many people.

We will create a lasting memory in his name so that it will always be associated with Whitchurch Alport Football Club. I’d like to thank all the volunteers, the fans and all those who came up to join in the occasion.

It’s a day that I will always remember and Whitchurch as a town should be very proud of its football club.”

Alport are at home again on Saturday when another side chasing one of the top three promotion places, Bootle, arrive hoping to inflict a fourth successive Yockings Park defeat on the Reds.

But Burton was pleased overall with his side’s performance against Longridge.

“That was much better from us today but we are left frustrated because we didn’t take the chances again,” he said.

“They (Longridge) are a very good side but our lads are really disappointed because they know we would have got something out of the game if we’d have had that cutting-edge in front of goal.

"We were confident going into the game with two clean sheets in a row and four points from two difficult away fixtures.

"We didn’t want to play the occasion, we wanted to play the game and we’ve made them work very hard for the win.”

Burton was denied the services of striker Alex Hughes (suspension) and Jud Ellis (holiday) and he revealed that Joe Cuff had left the club.

But he was able to hand a debut to local lad Matty Owen who joined from Welsh Premier League outfit Cefn Druids having previously played in the same league for Newtown and Connahs Quay Nomads.

The 25-year-old gave an accomplished performance before being substituted with 20 minutes to go and Burton was happy with his midfielder’s contribution.“

"Matty is never going to be our fittest player,” said the Reds boss, “but he showed in flashes what he is capable of and I’m delighted to get him.

"He’ll create chances for others and you could see he’s got a pass or two in him and he’ll get better with games.

"He picked up a really nasty facial injury and was missing for four or five weeks and when he regained fitness, he couldn’t get back into the team.

"The lad could have scored as well if he’d have just put his laces through the ball instead of going for the chip."

Burton also revealed that Alport had missed out on long-term target, James Rowlands, from Shrewsbury Town.

He added:“We are really disappointed with this one because James was coming right up until the 11th hour. We want to get this tie-in with Shrewsbury but James decided to go to Aberystwyth but we spoke with a couple of players last week and hope to have a new face or two in for the weekend.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s clash against Bootle – a match sponsored by Tilstock Motors – Burton doesn’t agree that recent home form will get into the players’ minds.

He said: “When we lost to Charnock and Runcorn we were flaky and gave in too easily so four or five weeks ago this game would have worried me.

"But I think Squires Gate, Remy and Longridge we have shown far more character and I think with the same defence for those three games we have looked much stronger."