After a month off through bad weather, the Old Alleynians returned to action in the Division 1 Cup against lowly St Martins.
On a heavy surface, the team could not produce the same flowing football we had seen over previous weeks, but it was a credit to both sides to provide an end-to-end contest that was in the balance until the last minute.
The Old Boys took the game to their Oswestry opponents for the first 15 minutes and Matt Thomas’s long range effort was pushed around the post for a corner, which came to nothing. Michael Meszaros was then put clean through, but unfortunately he beat the post as well as the keeper. The hosts then took the lead through Danny Heard after 15 mins. A corner on the left was headed home by Heard from about 5 yards out . Half way through the half St Martins equalized, with their first real attack, when the ball somehow ended up in the back of the net following a corner.
With the Saints more of an attacking force, after their equalizer, the Alleynians regained the lead 5 mins before half-time. Heard put over a great ball to pick out right back Billy Thorley, who had popped up on the left wing and he beat the goalkeeper and the defender, on the line, with an excellent shot. The Old Boys nearly increased their lead, just before the break, with Thomas’s shot cum lob being tipped over by Foster, in the visitors goal.
Half Time:- Stone Old Alleynians 2 – St Martins 1
In the second half, with the surface, now cut up the flow of the ball became less predictable and passing on the ground accurately more difficult. The game was much more of an even contest, with the visitors searching for an equalizer and pegging back Stone for periods, without creating a good opening. However the closest to a goal was by the Alleynians, who saw Joe Devaney racing onto a through ball, but the keeper was quick off his line to smother the shot.
Heard put Thomas clear on the left but unfortunately his shot just missed the far post. Nick Buckley was the next to beat the offside trap and was brought down by the goalkeeper as he took the ball round him. Buckley got up to score from the resulting penalty, with the last kick of the game.
Final Score:- Stone Old Alleynians 3 – St Martins 1
In the Staffs County League, Stone Old Alleynians drew 2 – 2 with Cheadle Town. Goalscorers for the Old Boys were Sam Fares and Dale Pointon. Next Saturday the Old Alleynians have the long trip to Bartestree, near Hereford in the WML Div 1, ko 2.00pm. The reserves are home to Leek CSOB in the SCL Div 2, ko 2.00 pm.
Thanks again to David Mardling for another brilliant match report!
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