Stone Old Alleynians went to sixth-place Mahal on Saturday 2nd March hoping to continue last Saturday’s impressive form but found the opposition much stronger and only came away with a point in a six-goal thriller.
After a bright start the Old Boys were pegged back after 6 mins. A move down the right resulted in Nahal driving the cross just inside the post, with the visitors defence twice failing to clear. This seemed to spur on the home side and it was no surprise when they went further ahead 20 mins later. Some excellent football split the Alleynians defence for Chatha to double their advantage.
Credit to the Old Alleynians though they gradually got themselves back into the game and looked to have pulled one back when Sam Wilson went clear, but elected to pass the ball instead of shooting only for Adam Tomkinson to be ruled offside as he rolled the ball into an empty net. They did however halve the lead a few mins later, Mike Davies sending Luke Askey clear to round the keeper.
Half Time:- Mahal 2 – Stone Old Alleynians 1
The visitors went in search of an equalizer from the start of the second half and a snap shot from Luke Askey was well saved. The equalizer came shortly after, with Stone awarded a free kick 5 yards beyond the penalty area. With everyone expecting a cross, Tomkinson pulled the ball back to Carl Dibden. His first shot came back to him, off the mass of players in the area, to then strike a tremendous drive into the back of the net giving Sandip Bains in the home goal no chance.
Only a great save by Adam Heath prevented Mahal regaining their lead a min later. Mahal went close again with a deflected shot just wide of the post before a snap shot by Danny Heard was saved at the other end. With 10 mins to go the Alleynians took the lead for the first time. A good run by Tomkinson down the left and a pass to Nick Buckley, who flicked the ball onto Heard to steer it just inside the post. They couldn’t hold onto the lead, however and the home side left winger was allowed too much room to square the ball across the goal for Bhandal to tap it home.
With both teams going for a win the Old Boys came the closest, when Askey hit the post after latching onto a through ball from Heard. A special mention to Heath in the Alleynians goal who did tremendously well in holding onto some difficult ground shots on a bumpy surface.
Final Score:- Mahal 3 – Stone Old Alleynians 3
The Old Alleynians have no game next Saturday but are away to St Martins on the 16th in the West Midlands League Division 1. Their next home game is against Haughmond on Wednesday 20th March ko 7.45pm.
