Midland Football League Premier Division – Saturday 21st December 2024
Stone Old Alleynians came up against a strong 1874 Northwich side which will definitely occupy one of the Midland Football League’s promotion places by the end of the season.
Despite having to concede a lot of possession to their opponents, the Old Boys battled throughout the whole game and were perhaps slightly unfortunate to be on the wrong end of a 2-1 scoreline.
Alleynians knew they were in for a tough match within the first three minutes when their keeper, Jack Sandel, standing in for regular goal guardian Rajaan Gill, who was ill, pulled off an exceptional save from a close-range shot by 1874’s No.9 Eden Bailey. Five minutes later, the visitors broke away down the left before firing in a shot that just went wide of the Stone goal.
The hosts did have odd moments of pressure on their opponents’ goal. In the 28th minute, Alleynians’ Kacper Mikulski beat a couple of 1874’s defenders before firing in a good cross, which Alleynians’ forward Sam Wilson headed just wide.
In the 40th minute, the Northwich team came close to opening the scoring after a dangerous ball flew across the Alleynians’ penalty area. However, just into time added on at the end of the half, the visitors’ No.11, Josh Oultram, put over a dangerous cross into the Alleynians’ penalty area. The ball was met by 1874’s No.10, Amarn Robinson, who fired a controlled shot into the home goal, giving his side a 1-0 half time lead.
Half time: Stone Old Alleynians 0-1 1874 Northwich
The first action after the break saw the speedy Mikulski getting away from the visiting defence and firing over a dangerous-looking cross into their box. Unfortunately, none of the home forwards had managed to get into the 1874 penalty area, and the chance went begging.
In the 50th minute, the Northwich side was awarded a free just outside the home penalty area. Their No.4, team skipper Matt Fenton, stepped up to take the kick and placed it perfectly so that it flew into the Alleynians’ net to give his side a 2-0 lead.
In the 59th minute, Alleynians had hope when their substitute Sam Bowater raced away down the right wing before crossing the ball into the 1874 penalty area. There, it was met by Jack Van Der Laan who very confidently slotted the ball into the Northwich net to reduce the deficit and make it only 2-1 to the visitors.
The game continued with the Old Boys trying to make some sort of impression on the opposition, but 1874 managed to show a lot of control and composure throughout the remaining period, denying Alleynians the opportunity to get the score back on level terms.
Despite the efforts of the Alleynians, the Northwich side managed to see the game out with their 2-1 lead intact and claim another three points in their quest for promotion.
The Old Boys are in a healthy 7th place in the league and will look to consolidate their position over the remaining matches.
Full time: Stone Old Alleynians 1-2 874 Northwich
Stone OA: Sandel, Baxter, Sedgley, Minshall S, Askey, Wilson (Capt.), Goodwin, Van Der Laan, Mikulski, Tomlinson, Sadie.
Subs: Thomas, Griffiths, Minshall H, Bowater S, Harper
The Old Boys next two league matches are firstly, away to Whitchurch Alport on Thursday 26th December, KO at 12.00 midday, and then at home to Studley on Saturday 28th December, KO at 3.00pm.
