Stone Old Alleynians’ match against high-flying Haughmond was controversially decided by a hotly disputed penalty after the Old Boys had fought their way back on to level terms.
Missing a few players due to holidays and weddings, a much-changed team started the match on Saturday 31st August on the back foot. After going close from two corners and a free kick it came as little surprise that the Haughmond winger Dan Perry put his team one up when he guided a near-post header past the stranded Adam Heath in the Alleynians goal.
Gradually, the Alleynians managed to get into the game and after a good passing movement Adam Tomkinson came close when he thundered a shot from 25 yards just over the bar. Seydou Sow also showed glimpses of his pace by getting beyond the Haughmond defence before slicing his shot wide.
Despite the referee appearing to favour the home team, the Old Boys continued to improve their passing game and a good run by Sam Hodgkinson almost produced the equaliser. Haughmond were still dangerous on the break and Bigham and Davies at the back for the Old Boys had to be alert to stifle the Haughmond attack.
The Alleynians finally got a break in the Haughmond penalty area when a defender was adjudged to have pushed Nick Buckley as he went for a cross from left-back Richard Hewitt. The resulting penalty was slammed home by Tomkinson to bring the Old Boys level just on half time.
Half Time:- Haughmond 1 – Stone Old Alleynians 1
With an injury to Seydou, Old Alleynians bought on youngster Matt Thomas up front, but within two minutes they conceded yet another sloppy goal as Haughmond benefitted from a quickly taken corner with a deflected shot giving Heath no chance in the Old Boys goal. It looked like Haughmond would go on to win easily but gradually the Alleynians got themselves back into the game. Substitute Pete Birks steadied the midfield and his long throws caused havoc in the Haughmond defence. After a rare Haughmond attack, Heath’s long kick down field caught the Haughmond defence out and after a flick from the skilful Thomas, Nick Buckley chipped the ball into the opposition goal from 20 yards to bring the scores level at 2-2.
With both teams sensing they could win there was action at both ends. Heath in the Alleynians goal pulled off a number of fine saves and both Birks and Tomkinson came close for the Old Boys. The game was settled when the referee awarded a penalty to Haughmond after Birks, for Alleynians, had been bundled over in the area by a Haughmond attacker. As he got up, he inadvertently handled the ball. It was only when the linesman flagged that the referee blew his whistle. When it became apparent that he had given a penalty there was complete astonishment and disbelief. Eventually the penalty was scored to put Haughmond 3-2 up.
The Old Boys steamed into attack with Buckley hitting the post, Matt Thomas heading wide from a long throw and Tomkinson forcing the Haughmond keeper to scramble the ball wide. Despite a valiant effort right through to the end of the game, Old Alleynians could not get the equaliser they deserved and had to settle for feeling very unlucky indeed to come away with no points
Full Time:- Haughmond 3 – Stone Old Alleynians 2
