The 2015 side, with the advantage of relative youth, took an early two-goal lead and had the better of the first half, leading 4-1 by the interval.

The second half, which involved frequent rolling substitutions, was a little more even. The latter stages, with Stuart now in the 2015 team's goal, were marked by the involvement of his sons Finn and Jack. The 2005 side won two late penalties, which Jack took, beating his father with the first but seeing his second saved by his father!

SCORERS:

• 5 mins: James LAWRIE (Alty 2005 0 Alty 2015 1)
• 13 mins: Ryan BROOKE (Alty 2005 0 Alty 2015 2)
• 10 mins: Finn COBURN (Alty 2005 0 Alty 2015 3)
• 10 mins: Kyle PERRY (Alty 2005 0 Alty 2015 4)
• 36 mins: Colin LITTLE (Alty 2005 1 Alty 2015 4)
• 65 mins: Jack MADDOX (penalty) (Alty 2005 2 Alty 2015 4)
• 70 mins: Kyle PERRY (Alty 2005 2 Alty 2015 5)

The sides loosely comprised players from the two successful play-off campaigns in which Stuart participated in 2005 and 2014. The 2005 team was managed by Graham Heathcote, whilst Matt Doughty was in charge of the 2015 squad.

LINE-UPS:

The shirt numbers may not all be correct! Stuart kept goal for the 2014 side during the latter stages of the second half.

ALTRINCHAM 2005 (Red & white striped shirts, black shorts, red socks): 1. Stuart COBURN, 6. Eddie HUSSIN, 9. Colin LITTLE, 10. Rod THORNLEY, 12. Colin POTTS, 15. Warren PEYTON, 17. Michael WELCH,, 18. Gary SCOTT, 19. Danny ADAMS, 22. Kevin ELLISON, 23. Chris DENHAM. Subs: 2. Kieran LUGSDEN, 8. Anthony DANYLYK, 11. Peter BAND, 13. Pat McFADDEN, 16. Stuart WRIGHT, 20. James OLSEN, 21. Kelvin LUGSDEN, Sean SMITH, 4. Sonny MADDOX

ALTRINCHAM 2014 (Yellow shirts and socks, black shorts): 1. TBC, 2. Luca HAVERN, 7. James LAWRIE, 10. Ryan BROOKE, 11. Nicky CLEE, 12. James OLSEN, 14. Greg WILKINSON, 16. Scott LEATHER, 17. Sean WILLIAMS, 19. TBC, 21. Greg HALL. Subs: 1. Richard ACTON, 6. Kyle PERRY, 8. Matt DOUGHTY, 12. Greg YOUNG, 12. Paddy LACEY, 19. TBC, 20. Adam GRIFFIN, 5. Finn COBURN, * Jack COBURN

More than nine years after injury ended Stuart's career at Dover early in 2015/16 season, Altrincham's leading appearance maker (687 starts and 2 substitute appearances) was honoured with this testimonial game.

In addition to the many former players on the pitch, others inclduding Tim Deasy and Val Owen were in the crowd.

It took just five minutes for the younger 2014 side to take the lead to a chorus of boos from those favouring Stuart's side. Nicky Clee was involved on the left before a cross from the righ set up James Lawrie, who scored comfortably from close range.

Havern, Clee and Wilkinson were then instrumental in setting up a tap-in for Ryan Brooke making it 2-0 (13 mins).

Soon afterwards the 2014 side hit the post as they dominated proceedings

Following a foul, some 35 yards or so from goal, the freekick was quickly taken and the ball ended up in Stuart's net, as his son Finn rounded his father's vain attempt to stop him, and he made it 3-0 to the 2014 side after 29 minutes.

The 2005 team almost got a goal back when Colin Little skilfully fed Potts to the left of goal. His shot flew narrowly wide of the back post.

But any hopes of a comeback were undone in the 35th ninute when Clee laid on a simple goal for Kyle Perry who finished with the outside of his left foot, and celebrated by throwing himself to the ground!

Despite their four-goal deficit the 2005 side rallied to score a well-taken goal by Colin Little (36 mins). Before the interval Colin Potts also had a shot on goal but the young keeper saved it (39 mins).

A minute after the alloted forty-minutes for the first half had passed, the referee blew his whistle for the interval.

For the second half, the 2005 side made numerous changes with goalkeeper Acton, Stuart Wright, the Lugsden twins, Sean Smith and Charles Heathcote amongst the players introduced.

The younger side were on top as the half started, with Stuart, still in goal for the older side, soon making a fine save, low to his right (45 mins). He then made another good save from Wilkinson (55 mins) before a drinks break for the players and further changes of personnel by both sides.

Stuart now went in goal for the 2014 side, with Richard Acton taking over for the 2005 eleven.

Next, the younger side's Luca Havern got free but Acton saved well (62 mins).

The referee now pointed to the spot when a ball hit Scott Leather's hand. Stuart's pantomime protests brought a yellow card from the referee! Young Jack Coburn stepped up to take the penalty and he beat his father from the spot to make it 2-4 (65 mins).

But as the 80-minute match headed into the final ten minutes Perry, Clee and Lawrie combined before the last named's cross from the right was expertly headed home by Perry, making it 5-2. It was the best goal of the afternoon.

With five minutes remaining Havern was judged to have fouled Jack Coburn. This time young Jack's penalty kick was saved by his father (75 mins). Boos rang round the ground for Stuart not allowing his son to beat him a second time!

So an entertaining game ended and Stuart went into the directors' box to express his thanks to all those who had arranged and supported the match, from which Stuart would donate 50% of the funds to the Darby Rimmer MND Foundation.

Two of Stuart's team-mates, centre halves Mark Maddox and George Melling died from motor neurone disease and their families were present at the match, with Mark's son Sonny taking part in the game.