Stone Old Alleynians managed to hold out in a tense finish against West Midland League rivals Wyrley to make it through to the second round of the Staffs FA Vase for the first time years.
The game – on Saturday 12th October at Wellbeing Park in Yarnfield – started with both sides stroking the ball around and not making any real opportunities in front of goal.
After 15 minutes Wyrley’s centre-forward broke through with only Heath to beat in the Alleynians goal but a great block by the keeper kept the scores level. On 20 minutes, as Old Boys striker Nick Buckley danced through the Wyrley defence, he was tripped, leaving the ref little option but to award a spot kick. Adam Tomkinson stepped up to coolly send the Wyrley keeper the wrong way and put the Alleynians in front.
The lead didn’t last long, though. Five minutes later, Wyrley carved the Stone defence wide open and Nathaniel Hare slotted home to bring the scores level at 1-1.
The remainder of the half saw both teams creating chances, with Wyrley hitting the post and Heath keeping Alleynians in the game with a great save when he tipped a long-range effort over the bar. Alleynians should have scored when Danny Heard took too long to get his shot away and then the lively Buckley got through on goal only to shoot straight at Wooldridge in the Wyrley goal.
Half Time:- Stone Old Alleynians 1 – Wyrley 1
The second half saw Wyrley come flying out of the blocks and two brilliant stops by Heath kept the scores level. On a rare Old Boys attack, striker Matt Thomas had a good header go just over before Heath was called into action again to push a Wyrley 20-yard piledriver over the bar.
Eventually, the Alleynians got into the game and after a good advantage by the ref, Buckley put Thomas through only for the Wryley keeper to save. On 65 minutes a tremendous move involving Tomkinson and swashbuckling right-back Sam Hodgkinson ended with Buckley slotting home to give the hosts a 2-1 advantage.
Wryley turned up the pressure in attack, but from one of their corners a fast moving breakaway saw Tomkinson and Heard get the ball to Buckley and he calmly scooped the ball over the advancing keeper to make it 3-1 to Old Alleynians.
Wyrley could see that the game was slipping away and they tried hard to get back in to the match. After a miraculous goal-line clearance by Alleynians Sam Wilson, Wyrley were mysteriously awarded a penalty from the resulting corner. The referee was the only person in the ground who spotted an offence and Wyrley took advantage as McMahon despatched the spot kick with ease to bring them back into the match.
The last 10 minutes saw Alleynians keeper Heath called into action again but the Old Boys managed to hold out and can now look forward to the next round.
Final Score:- Stone Old Alleynians 3 – Wyrley 2
Stone Old Alleynians County League side beat Longton FC 6 – 1 thanks to goals from Sam Fares (2), Matt Wood, Joe Devaney, Chris Heard and Dale Pointon.
On Saturday 19th October the Old Alleynians are at home at Wellbeing Park in Yarnfield to Wem Town (in the league) ko 3.00 pm. The 2nd team are at home to Hawkins Sports (in the league) ko 2.00 pm
