Midland Football League Premier Division
Saturday 1st March 2025
Stone Old Alleynians fell to a 3-0 home defeat against OJM Black Country, with the visitors showing far greater attacking intent across the 90 minutes. OJM’s positive approach was rewarded with three goals, while the Old Boys found clear chances hard to come by. The result leaves Alleynians slipping down the table, though they remain clear of the relegation zone.
Visitors take early control
OJM Black Country started confidently, moving the ball around well on Alleynians’ large pitch and pinning the hosts back early on. In the 12th minute, debutant goalkeeper James Litherland produced a fine save to tip a 20-yard drive from OJM’s No.10, Reece Morris, round the post.
The visitors’ pressure soon paid off. A well-worked move down Alleynians’ right earned OJM a corner, which caused chaos in the penalty area. After several blocked shots, the ball fell to Morris, who slammed it into the net to give his side a deserved lead.
The goal seemed to spark some life into Alleynians, with left winger Kacper Mikulski using his pace to break down the flank and force OJM keeper Tom Clapp into a good save. However, the resulting corner was poor and easily cleared.
Litherland remained busy and was called into action again in the 37th minute, turning another long-range effort round the post. Although Sam Minshall did well to head clear from the resulting corner, OJM doubled their lead just five minutes later. This time, a corner from the right was met by No.9 Leslie Omorodion, who powered his header into the net.
The visitors nearly added a third before the break, with Litherland pulling off another sharp save to keep Alleynians in touch.
Half-time: Stone Old Alleynians 0-2 OJM Black Country
Substitutions bring brief improvement
Alleynians made a double change at half-time, introducing Josh Sedgley and Ethan Newton-Taylor in place of Jack and Sam Bowater. The Old Boys showed some renewed attacking intent, but OJM were content to sit deeper and protect their lead.
In the 56th minute, Jack Van Der Laan broke down the right and fired a shot from 20 yards, but it flew well wide. Mikulski created another chance four minutes later, delivering a dangerous cross from the left, but no Alleynians player was there to meet it.
As the match wore on, OJM regained the upper hand. In the 66th minute, a slick move involving Casey Collins and Romehl Critchlow presented Omorodion with a chance for his second, but Litherland made another excellent save to deny him.
Late goal caps deserved OJM win
With time running out, Alleynians almost found a way back into the game. OJM keeper Clapp tried to dribble out from his own six-yard box but was caught out by substitute Josh Goodwin. Despite almost being pulled down, Goodwin couldn’t quite scramble the ball into the net, and OJM escaped.
Two minutes into added time, with most Alleynians players forward, OJM broke away quickly and caught the home defence stretched. Reece Morris made no mistake, slotting past Litherland to complete his brace and seal a deserved 3-0 win.
Full-time: Stone Old Alleynians 0-3 OJM Black Country
Match details
Stone OA Starting XI:
Litherland, Baxter, Minshall S, Askey, Thomas (C), Bowater S, Bowater J, Wilson, Tomlinson, Mikulski, Van Der Laan
Substitutes:
Griffiths, Goodwin, Newton-Taylor, Connolly, Sedgley
Upcoming fixtures:
- Romulus FC (H) – Saturday 15th March, 3:00 pm
- Highgate United (A) – Tuesday 18th March, 7:45 pm
