Stone Old Alleynians continued their recent good run of form with a well-earned victory over high-flying Wem Town last weekend as they returned to West Midland League first division action.
They achieved this victory with a squad made up of all local lads and the starting XI included 10 actual Old Alleynians (former pupils of Alleyne’s High School – now Alleyne’s Academy – in Stone). For a team playing at this level this is testimony to manager Bob Askey’s faith in the local football talent around the Stone area.
After the evenly matched opening exchanges, the game burst into life on 20 minutes when a good move by the Old Boys involving Danny Heard and Luke Askey put Nick Buckley through to round the Wem keeper and slot home into. Within eight minutes, however, Wem had drawn level, when ex-Stoke player Matt Cohen rifled home.
Old Alleynians then took the initiative with young striker Matt Thomas going close with a spectacular overhead kick after 35 minutes, and then three minutes later he put in a tremendous volley which was well saved.
Half Time:- Stone Old Alleynians 1 – 1 Wem Town
The second half carried on much as the first had finished and it came as no surprise when the Old Alleynians took the lead. After some good play, Sam Wilson played a sharp one-two with Danny Heard on his way into the box and just as he was about to shoot he was tripped by a Wem defender, leaving the ref no option but to award a penalty. Adam Tomkinson stepped up to confidently put the ball into the opposite side of the goal from the Wem keeper and put the Old Boys one up with 25 minutes to go.
Wem really turned up the pressure and on 70 minutes they too were given a penalty after the ref had initially played an advantage after an infringement by an Alleynians defender. With Wem failing to score, the ref brought the game back and gave the penalty. The regular Wem penalty taker stepped up but fortunately for the Alleynians he put it too close to Heath in the home goal, who saved comfortably. The Old Boys managed to see out the rest of the game without too much difficulty for a well-deserved win.
Final Score:- Stone Old Alleynians 2 – 1 Wem Town
Although Kev Warrilow scored two goals for the Old Boys 2nd team it was not enough to prevent them going down 4-2 at home to Hawkins Sports in the Staffs County League Div 2.
On Saturday 26th October Stone Old Alleynians are away to Trysull (in the league), 3pm kick-off. The second team are at home at Wellbeing Park in Yarnfield to Longton FC (in the league cup), 2pm
