Stone Old Alleynians’ seven-match unbeaten run came to an end on Saturday 13th October at table-topping AFC Smethwick when they crashed 4-1 to the league leaders.
The Old Boys had equal share of the play but the home side, who had a superior height and physical presence, were stronger up front when it came to taking their chances in the West Midlands League Division One match.
The Old Alleynians had all the play in the opening five mins before Smethwick scored with their first attack. A long ball out to the left gave Beadle a clear run on goal to beat Dan Hulme. The Old Boys should have equalized a few minutes later as Adam Tomkinson was presented with a similar opportunity but the home keeper did well to divert the ball just wide of the post with an outstretched leg.
The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with the visitors, through the immaculate Sam Wilson, dictating the midfield but lacking punch up front and the home side looking more dangerous with their direct approach. The Alleynians had a scare after 20 mins when a ball bouncing around in the box came back off the post before being finally cleared. Stone had a chance on half-time but Tomkinson’s free kick from 25 yards just cleared the bar.
Half Time:- AFC Smethwick 1 – Stone Old Alleynians 0
The Alleynians started the second half brightly and a good move of 5 or 6 passes resulted in a snap shot by Chris Heard being well saved by the keeper. The agile Hulme brilliantly tipped a shot from Nickle round the post but the save, however, was in vain as the giant Jackson headed home the resulting corner. This was increased to 3 goals for the home side when Grewal converted a penalty after 75 mins, after Chris Johnson, who had got in some useful tackles, brought down an opposing forward.
Alleynes pulled a goal back 5 mins later. The home keeper passed the ball out to one of his defenders, who was quickly tackled by Nick Buckley and the loose ball was rammed home by Alex Kay. The goal spurred on the visitors and they pegged Smethwick back, as they went for a second but the match was effectively over in the final minutes when a poor pass, deep in the home side half, enabled Smethwick to break clear and Jackson scored his second goal to complete the scoring.
Final Score:- AFC Smethwick 4 – Stone Old Alleynians 1
Next Saturday the Old Alleynians are at home in the Staffs FA Vase to Walsall Wood, who are top of the Midland Combination Premier League. Kick-off 2pm
