Midland Football League Premier Division – Saturday 28th December 2024
Stone Old Alleynians last Midland Premier League game of 2024 was a comfortable 4-0 victory over a young Studley team. The win keeps the Old Boys in 6th place and just about in touch with the teams pushing for promotion.
The game’s early minutes saw both teams taking advantage of the large playing area, passing the ball around, probing down the wings and occasionally moving the ball into their opponent’s penalty area, but with little threat on either goal. The first signs of any competitive action saw a bad tackle by a Studley midfield player, which resulted in the waving of a yellow card after a poor challenge.
In the 23rd minute, Studley’s No.7, John Mills, went on a dangerous run into the Alleynians penalty area before winning a corner for his team. The ball was played to the visitors’ No.8, Ashley De Mulder, who could only blast his effort well over the home crossbar.
Two minutes later, however, it was Alleynians who were causing the problems. From a freekick on the right, the ball went across the Studley penalty area where it was met with a glancing header by home striker Jack Tomlinson. The ball flew firmly into the net to give the Stone team a 1-0 advantage.
Four minutes before the break, Stone’s Ollie Griffiths made good progress down the left before firing the ball into the Studley penalty area. The ball was met by the busy Sam Wilson, and his effort on goal was well saved by visiting keeper Brandon Bunn.
Half time: Stone Old Alleynians 1-0 Studley
After the half-time break, it took the Old Boys just four minutes to double their lead. An Alleynians attack saw the ball crossed into the Studley penalty area. There, it was met with a diving header by Wilson, playing the ball perfectly into the path of fellow striker Tomlinson. He wasted no time in finishing decisively, making the score 2-0 to Alleynians.
The next action saw winger Ollie Griffiths make good progress down the left. He got through onto the Studley goal. He could have scored, but he unselfishly played the ball inside to Tomlinson to complete his hat-trick. Unfortunately, with only the goalkeeper to beat, he could only guide the ball to hit the post, and the chance was gone.
With Alleynians offering more threat in attack, they finally added to their tally through the lively Griffiths. Once again, he broke away down the left and then he cut inside. He went past a couple of defenders before unleashing a powerful shot which completely wrong-footed the Studley keeper. The ball flew into the visitors’ net, giving Alleynians a 3-0 lead.
With a comfortable lead, Alleynians took the opportunity to give some of their younger players time on the pitch. In the 82nd minute, 16-year-old Harrison Harper showed both pace and maturity as he sped away from the Studley defence. He was put through onto the Studley goal, and then slotted the ball home very confidently, making the final score 4-0 to Old Alleynians.
Full time: Stone Old Alleynians 4-0 Studley
Stone OA: Gill, Baxter, Sedgley, Minshall S, Askey, Wilson, Thomas (Capt.), Goodwin, Van Der Laan, Tomlinson, Griffiths.
Subs: Mikulski, Harper, Sadiq, Newton-Taylor, Minshall H
The Old Boys next two league matches are both away. Firstly, at Stourport Swifts on Saturday 4th January, KO at 3.00pm, and then at Studley on Saturday 11thJanuary, KO at 3.00pm.
