After last week’s amazing fightback from three goals down, Stone Old Alleynians continued in the same vein against Shifnal Town to pull off a fine 2-0 victory over their higher placed opponents.
The signs were looking hopeful within a minute of the kick-off when Sam Wilson worked his way into the Shifnal penalty area only to be upended for a very obvious penalty. Dave Ablewhite stepped up to dispatch the spot-kick powerfully past Callum Smith in the Shifnal goal, giving the Old Boys a very early 1-0 lead.
Alleynians continued their good start with left-winger Sam Bowater firing over from the left-hand side of the box, and then a Jack Tomlinson effort was cleared off the line by a desperate Shifnal defence. On 20 minutes, Sam Bowater unleashed another powerful attempt on goal despite having been fouled in the build-up by a defender who was rightly booked for his crude challenge on the Alleynians’ winger.
Shifnal had started to make some progress in the game, retaining possession of the ball and managing to make some shooting opportunities. They had a loud penalty appeal turned down on 23 mins but it didn’t need VAR to determine that the referee had made the correct decision.
After half an hour, the Old Boys doubled their lead when Tomlinson sent the busy Wilson through for a 1v1 with the home keeper. Wilson finished the move with a cool finish past the stranded Smith to make the score 2-0 to Alleynians.
The Stone team should have scored more before half-time with Tomlinson forcing another good save with a powerful shot from the edge of the box and then defender Sam Bradbury joined the attack only to fire over the Shifnal bar when he was well placed to do better.
Half time: Shifnal Town 0-2 Stone Old Alleynians
The 2nd half saw Shifnal having more of the ball and putting some pressure on the Alleynians goal. The visiting defence held out well, denying their opponents any really clear chances to score. Towards the end of the half, the Old Boys could have added to their score as the home team pushed players into attack.
In the 50th minute, Stone’s experienced defender Ollie Davies almost let his man get past him and through onto goal. He was lucky to escape with only a yellow card as he fouled the Shifnal forward in his attempt to stop the attack. The resulting freekick was wasted as the ball ran out for an Alleynians goal kick.
Despite pinning Alleynians back in their half, Shifnal’s efforts were mainly restricted to long-range shots. In the 75th minute, their full-back, Jordan Uppal launched a 25 yarder which eventually ended up in the trees behind the Old Boys goal.
In the last 10 minutes, Alleynians should have added to their tally. Firstly, Wilson combined well again with Tomlinson for a good shot on goal. Next, Matthew Moody, who had come on as a substitute for the excellent Jack Bowater, put Wilson through again, who was thwarted by the excellent Smith. After a disallowed goal for Shifnal, for a very obvious handling offence, Smith once again defied the Alleynians’ attack as he saved Ablewhite’s fierce 20-yard freekick. This time he pushed the ball out to Moody, who was now presented with the chance to open his Old Boys’ scoring account. Unfortunately, he could only stab the ball wide of the Shifnal goal so that the final score remained 2-0 to Stone Old Alleynians.
Due to cup replays and other fixture rearrangements, Alleynians’ next game is a Staffordshire derby at high-flying Lichfield City on Wednesday 27th October.
Full time: Shifnal Town 0-2 Stone Old Alleynians
Stone OA: Alcock, Bradbury, Ablewhite, Goodwin Davies, Askey, Bailey, Wilson, Jack Bowater (Moody), Tomlinson, Sam Bowater.
