Danny Heard’s second-half header was enough to ensure that Stone Old Alleynians took all three points from an uninspiring game at a cold and windy Wellbeing Park.
The striker’s seventh goal of the season was enough to tip the game in the home side’s favour after a battling display from the Old Boys, bouncing back from their defeat last weekend at St Martins.
The first half was slow and weary, with Team Dudley having the best chance, as the ball fell kindly to their striker on the edge of the box, but he was only able to fire his shot straight at Lewis Paglia. Alleynians’ best chance came through debutant Josh Brown, as the defender rose highest to meet a Matt Thomas corner but was unable to get his header on target.
Heard, Thomas and Grant Bigham all failed to test the visitor’s keeper with their efforts before the players returned to the sanctuary and warmth of the dressing rooms.
The second half began in a livelier fashion, Sam Hodgkinson jinked his way into the box but unselfishly tried to square the ball to Heard rather than shoot himself and his pass was intercepted. And Dan Farrelly also came close, after a surging run into the box saw him find space for a shot but he was only able to fire into the side netting.
Then came the goal, a short corner from Thomas allowed Cameron Sinclair to cross from the right, and Heard’s powerful header at the near post was too strong for the Dudley keeper to keep out.
A change in system from manager Matt Smith to try and preserve the lead brought about the introduction of striker Carl Dibden, and he nearly made an immediate impact, but his shot from 25 yards flew inches wide of the left hand post.
Lewis Paglia remained untroubled, on a day where he would have hoped for a bit more to do to keep warm. The goalkeeper using the opportunity to sweep up any stray through balls and show off his footwork.
Matt Smith was pleased to see his side chalk up their eleventh win in the past 14 games. He said: “The conditions weren’t ideal, which made it hard for us to get it down and play. It was never going to be a pretty game with the weather as it was, but we needed to find a way to win and we did that. It was important that we got back to winning ways after last week, so I’m happy, especially with the big games that we have coming up.”
[box type=”note” align=”aligncenter” width=”400″ ]Stone OA: Paglia, Bigham, Whalley, Brown, Taylor, Hodgkinson, Sinclair (c), C Heard (Dibden), Thomas (Griffiths), D Heard, Farrelly (Matthews)[/box]
Stone OA Res 2-2 Brereton Social Res
A blustery Wellbeing Park played host to this closely contested encounter, and but for George Askey’s goalscoring touch the Old Boys would have left the field with nothing to show for their efforts.
Askey followed on from last week’s double hat-trick by twice drawing his side level against a hard working Brereton outfit, and a draw leaves the Old Boys four points off the top.
“Both teams struggled with the conditions and the strong winds today,” said Alleynians manager Kev Warrilow afterwards. “They probably adapted a little better than we did and we were perhaps lucky to escape with a point in the end.”
The Old Boys made several changes to the side that put nine past Real Medina last week, and were caught napping when a quick throw down the Brereton left found a centre forward. The striker showcased his quick feet by cutting inside and firing past Jason Turner in the home goal to put the visitors in front.
Askey then levelled from a set piece, slotting in a Brynn Cooper flick-on from a Jamie Cartwright corner to ensure the scores were level at the break.
The majority of the second half was played down the Alleynians’ left because of the strong winds, and the Old Boys had to remain alert as the visitors ran in behind on several occasions. Brereton then took the lead again via a swift counter attack, taking advantage of a tiring Old Boys’ outfit.
An Alleynians corner was launched clear and chased down by the Brereton skipper, who was stopped in his tracks by a Dick Hewitt challenge that sent the ball out for a throw. The throw was taken quickly as the majority of Old Boys’ attackers failed to make up defensive ground, and despite Turner’s save from the resulting effort, the follow-up strike was tapped in and the Old Boys were behind for the second time.
Askey again showed a knack for being in the right place at the right time just minutes later, latching on to a loose ball from another set-piece to draw level for the second time, despite a suspicion of handball.
The game petered out into a series of clearances and half-clearances, and both teams had to settle for a point on a forgettable Saturday afternoon.
You can see lots of photos from this match HERE
