Both teams took most of the first half of this West Midlands League Div 1 match shaking off the effects of the season’s festivities and the several weeks without a game.
To be honest, in the first half not a great deal happened to entertain the crowd. The Old Alleynians had a Danny Heard header ruled out for offside and the visiting keeper made a good save from Heard with Matt Newman’s follow up being cleared of the line. The Old Boys had another effort cleared off the line and the closest Town came to scoring was a shot straight at Adam Heath in the home goal and a half chance that went just wide.
Half-time: Stone Old Alleynians 0 – Bridgnorth Town 0
The Old Boys piled on the pressure in the second half and after Newman had shot over he again had a chance but his effort was cleared off the line only for Heard to slam home the loose ball on 55 mins. Five mins later they had a great chance to double their advantage when they were awarded a penalty for an innocuous looking handball. However Luke Askey blasted the spot-kick onto the crossbar and over.
With Bridgnorth now committed more to attack the chances for the hosts, to increase their lead, came and went with regularity. First they had two efforts cleared off the line in quick succession then Heard cleverly beat 2 defenders only to see his shot strike the post and Sam Wilson, Nick Buckley and Danny Heard all went clear with only Stuart Curwen, in the visiting goal, to beat only for him to thwart them each time.
Final score: Stone Old Alleynians 1 – Bridgnorth Town 0
The Old Alleynians are away on Saturday 12th January to Wolverhampton Utd, 2pm KO.
