We’ll be following the fortunes of Stone football team Old Alleynians this season. Thanks to the club for the reports.
STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS 1 ST MARTINS 0
Stone Old Alleynians went into their game against league newcomers St Martins on Saturday 8th September full of confidence after two excellent wins in their previous West Midland League Division 1 matches.
There were early chances for the busy Paul Griffiths and Craig Sinclair, who mistimed a header from a corner. St Martins first attack saw their winger break down the left only to be challenged strongly by Ed Sandy. This resulted in danger for the Old Alleynians goal and a harsh booking for the unlucky Sandy.
With the Old Boys struggling to keep the ball for any length of time, St Martins started to take control of the game. A long run by St Martins Tim Allen saw him run unchallenged from the edge of his own penalty area to within shooting range. Fortunately for Alleynes, he skied his shot well over the bar from twenty yards.
With the Alleynians manager, Bob Askey fuming on the touchline, a terrible mistake by the usually reliable Rob Winstanley sent the St Martins centre forward through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Having got round Alleynians keeper Danny Hulme, the striker sliced his shot terribly wide, much to the relief of Winstanley and the rest of the team. The remainder of the half continued with Alleynians giving the ball away cheaply and St Martins finding it difficult to capitalise on the home side’s poor play.
Half Time:- Stone Old Alleynians 0 – 0 St Martins
Having had the hairdryer treatment from the manager over the halftime cup of tea, Old Alleynians started the second half with much more determination. First of all the tricky Adam Tomkinson let fly from 20 yards and then midfielder Luke Matthews created a good opportunity which he just couldn’t finish off. The dominating Jack Thorley came up from defence and from a corner, sent a header just over the bar. With 25 minutes to go, manager Bob Askey pulled off his master stroke by sending on the speedy Matt Newman to play on the left and the strong figure of Danny Heard was pushed up from midfield to replace the hardworking Alex Kay.
With more movement from the forwards chances started to come the Old Boys way. A goal was disallowed for offside after some intricate play on the edge of the St Martins penalty area saw Newman put through. Then, a great long ball by Jack Thorley put Newman in on goal, but the chance was scrambled away.
The Old Alleynians goal finally arrived when the persistent Paul Griffiths, chasing a lost cause, chipped a cross into Danny Heard who managed to direct his header over the opposition keeper and into the net off the crossbar. More good football by Alleynians’ Matthews and Danny Heard put brother Chris Heard through only for him to scuff his shot and hit the post. The game finished with Old Alleynians well on top and fully deserving of their three points, moving up to sixth place in the table, with games in hand on the leaders.
Final Score:- Stone Old Alleynians 1 – 0 St Martins
Old Alleynians take on Macclesfield Town’s youth team in a friendly at Yarnfield on Wednesday 19th September, kick-off 7.30pm. Their next league game is against top-of-the-table Mahal at Yarnfield on Saturday 15th September. KO 3pm
