Plenty of goals at the Wellbeing Stadium in Yarnfield again – that’s 16 in the first three games in the West Midlands League Division 1.
Last Saturday Stone Old Alleynians followed up the previous week’s victory with a 4 – 2 victory over Shenstone in a match that could have gone either way.
The early pressure came from Shenstone, although Richard Hewitt drove just wide from distance and a jinking run from Nick Buckley ended with a shot straight at the keeper. It was Shenstone who had the best chance after a defensive mistake led to a clear run on goal but Phil Bruce blocked the shot with his legs and the follow up went wide.
A few mins later the same happened again but this time the shot went wide. Stone took the lead halfway through the half, Buckley feeding Sam Hodgkinson to rifle home a slightly deflected shot. On the half hour the Old Alleynians went further ahead, Buckley and Danny Heard exchanging passes, allowing the latter to beat his man and score from close in.
A few minutes later it was three, a great ball by Carl Dibden sent Buckley clear down the right who pulled the ball back for Heard to score his second. The Pathfinders went clear of the Alleynes defence two more times, converting the second chance to pull a goal back. On the halftime whistle Heard was unlucky to see his shot curl just over the angle of bar and post.
Half Time:- Stone Old Alleynians 3 – Shenstone 1
Early in the second half the visitors reduced the deficit to one by the ever dangerous Chris Caddy who twisted and turned before giving Bruce no chance with his final shot. The hosts were now up against it, especially as injuries forced a major reshuffle and they nearly paid for it as Bruce blocked another effort with the rebound inexplicably being put wide. The Old Boys sealed the win with 15 mins left.
Super sub Seydou rode 4 tackles as he came in from the right to beat the keeper at the second attempt. A special mention for Stone Old Alleynians two 17 year old midfield players, Sam Wilson and Luke Matthews, who each week put in 5 star performances belying their age.
Final Score:- Stone Old Alleynians 4 – Shenstone 2
In their opening Staffs County League game the Old Alleynians reserves went down 4 – 3 to Uttoxeter Town. They were 4 nil down just after half-time but goals from Matty Wood(2) and George Askey nearly rescued a point.
On Saturday 31st August the Old Alleynians are away to Haughmond ko 3pm. The 2nd team are at home to Hilton Harriers ko 2pm
