Stone Old Alleynians advanced into the next round of the Isuzu FA Vase with a dramatic 4-3 victory over close rivals Eccleshall. They came back from a two goal half time deficit to lead 4-2 before Eccleshall scored another goal with five minutes to go. Despite going down to 10 men, the Old Boys managed to survive a very uncomfortable last period, to hold on for the win.
The early minutes saw both teams probing for weaknesses. In the 7th minute, Eccleshall won a corner. From this, the hosts had a header which was pushed over the bar by Stone keeper Raajan Gill. This next corner was played into the near post where Eccleshall’s No.5, George Woodroffe headed the ball into the Alleynians’ goal to give his side a 1-0 lead.
The Stone side struggled to make any progress as Eccleshall created danger with almost every attack. In the 32nd minute, the home No.9, Nicky Parker, beat a couple of defenders to make space for a shot at his opponents’ goal. Fortunately for Alleynians, he hit his shot wide.
In the 35th minute, Alleynians got a rare look at the home goal when striker Jack Tomlinson crossed the ball into the penalty area for Sam Bowater to shoot at the goal. Eccleshall’s goalkeeper, George Scott, saved the shot easily. Two minutes later, the hosts won a corner, which Alleynians could not clear. The ball came once again to Woodroffe, who slammed the ball past Gill to give his side what seemed to be a decisive 2-0 lead.
Half time: Eccleshall 2-0 Stone Old Alleynians
Alleynians needed to strike back quickly if they were to remain in the competition and they got the ideal start to the second half within three minutes. A cross into the Eccleshall penalty area was met by Jack Tomlinson. His superbly guided header, from 15 yards, flew into the home goal giving Alleynians hope and making the score 2-1.
In the 53rd minute, a speedy run by Alleynians’ half time substitute, Morgan Russell set up another chance for Tomlinson, but this time he could only put the ball wide. Alleynians were looking much more positive and capable of getting further goals. Seven minutes later, from a corner, it was skipper Matt Thomas who powered his header past Scott, bringing the scores level at 2-2.
The pace and movement of Russell was causing real problems for the Eccleshall defence and in the 65th minute he hit a long range shot which flew just wide of the home goal. Three minutes later, a hard, low cross was played into the Eccleshall penalty area and it was Russell who got onto the end of it, hitting the ball firmly to make the score 3-2 to Alleynians.
With their two goal lead gone, the home time tried to hit back. On 70 minutes, Alleynians’ keeper Gill had to push the ball out for a corner. From this, Eccleshall hit the post with a shot from outside the penalty area. Five minutes later, their forward got through with only Gill to beat, but a superb stop kept the score at 3-2.
In the 80th minute, it was Alleynians who added to their score when Russell, again, latched onto a through ball before chipping the ball coolly over Scott, to make it 4-2 to the Old Boys. Eccleshall refused to give up and in the 84th minute they scored a third goal. A home attack gave their No.14, Aiden Braxton-Lloyd, time and space on the edge of the Alleynians’ penalty area to chip the ball skilfully over Gill, reducing the deficit and making the score 4-3 to the visitors.
The last few minutes saw the home side throw everything into attack. Alleynians had defend desperately as Eccleshall won corners, caused scrambles in the visitors’ penalty area, and saw Gill punching shots away. With all the pressure, Alleynians’ skipper, Matt Thomas was shown a second yellow card when Eccleshall were awarded a freekick on the edge of the penalty area. Fortunately, the Alleynians defensive wall stood firm as the ball eventually went out for a goal kick and the referee blew for full time. This ended a classic cup match with the Old Boys progressing through to the next round of the Isuzu FA Vase.
Full time: Eccleshall 3-4 Stone Old Alleynians
Team: Gill, Baxter, Taylor, Minshall, Thomas (Capt.), Bowater J, Bowater S, Tomlinson, Connolly, Holt, Harper H.
Subs: Russell, Jedrzejczyk, Keeley, Harper D.
