A string of missed chances saw Stone Old Alleynians slip to defeat at the hands of Hanwood at Wellbeing Park on 28th September.
After Hanwood had started the brightest, it was the Old Boys who had the first chance with Adam Tomkinson clearing the crossbar. A few minutes later 16-year-old Matt Thomas was sent clear but he rushed his shot and the chance was lost. He had a chance to redeem himself on 10 mins and this time he made no mistake. Put through by Richard Hewitt, he gave the visiting keeper no chance as the ball was drilled past him.
But just five minutes later it was one each. Stone were guilty of over-elaboration at the back and were dispossessed. The ball was then worked to Tom Gilbertson, who gave Adam Heath no chance from the edge of the area.
Thomas, who has great vision on when to make a run, went clear for the third time and only an excellent save prevented the hosts from going into the lead. But it was Hanwood who went in front on 40 mins. The referee appeared to award an indirect free-kick on the corner of the area. A vicious shot from Sean Griffths appeared to go straight in, but the ball was adjudged to have touched Heath’s gloves on route to the back of the net.
Half Time:- Stone Old Alleynians 1 – Hanwood 2
The second half can best be described as pretty much one-way traffic on the Hanwood goal but as much as Stone had possession they rarely looked like scoring against a well organised defence, apart from a Danny Heard shot that was turned around the post.
Hanwood, in one of their rare attacks, appeared to have increased their lead but Gilbertson was adjudged offside. In time added on the Old Alleynians looked certain to equalise after a slick four-man move ended in Thomas laying the ball across to Heard, with the goal at his mercy. However, with more emphasis on power than placement, the ball struck the keeper and rebounded to safety.
Final Score:- Stone Old Alleynians 1 – Hanwood 2
In the Staffs County League, goals from Dale Pointon, Sam Fares, Matt Wood and Joe Devaney gave Stone Old Alleynians a 4 – 1 victory at Cheadle Town.
On Saturday 5th October the Old Alleynians are at away to St Martins, Oswestry in the West Midlands League (3pm) and away to Featherstone in the SCL (2pm).
On Wednesday 9th October the Old Alleynians entertain Hawkins Sports (7.45pm) at Wellbeing Park, Yarnfield, in the JW Hunt Cup.
