Midland Football League Premier Division
Saturday 5th April 2025
Stone Old Alleynians returned to winning ways with a determined 2-1 away victory over Wolverhampton Casuals in their penultimate game of the season. Goals from Jack Bowater and Ollie Griffiths gave the visitors a first-half cushion, and despite a second-half red card for skipper Matt Thomas, the Old Boys held firm under intense pressure to take all three points.
First-half chances and a two-goal cushion
With the slope in their favour, Alleynians started brightly, but it was the hosts who threatened first with a strong 20-yard effort that was well saved by stand-in goalkeeper James Litherland. The early stages were balanced, with both teams moving the ball well without creating clear chances.
In the 16th minute, Casuals’ Reinaldo Forbes beat two defenders and crossed for Corey Cooper, whose powerful shot was straight at Litherland. Four minutes later, Alleynians took the lead. Joe Baxter whipped in a brilliant cross from the right and Jack Bowater rose highest to head home for 1-0.
Casuals hit the bar in the 26th minute through defender Zak Poskitt, and nearly equalised again three minutes later from a corner. But it was the visitors who struck next. A long throw from Baxter caused chaos in the box, and after a scramble and a hint of handball, Bowater set up Ollie Griffiths to tuck the ball home from close range just before the break.
Half-time: Wolverhampton Casuals 0-2 Stone Old Alleynians
Second-half tension and late drama
Casuals came out firing and got their reward six minutes after the restart when Charlie Swingwood swept home from close range to make it 2-1. The hosts nearly drew level on the hour mark when the ball rolled through the Alleynians box, but no one could apply the finishing touch.
Both sides created chances, with Tomlinson firing narrowly wide for Alleynians and Casuals sending a header just over. The pressure continued, and in the 80th minute, Litherland gathered a powerful header to keep his side in front.
Then came the turning point. With just four minutes of normal time remaining, Matt Thomas was shown a straight red for a late tackle, leaving Alleynians to defend their lead with ten men.
Casuals threw everything forward in the closing stages, forcing a goal-line clearance and a last-gasp save from Litherland. But the visitors held firm through four tense minutes of added time to claim a hard-earned win.
Full-time: Wolverhampton Casuals 1-2 Stone Old Alleynians
Match details
Stone OA Starting XI:
Litherland, Baxter, Minshall, Thomas (C), Sedgley, Askey, Bowater J, Goodwin, Wilson, Tomlinson, Griffiths
Substitutes:
Mikulski, Connolly, Harper, Arnold
Upcoming fixture
- Tividale FC (H) – Saturday 12th April, 3:00 pm
Final game of the season
