On Saturday 6th November 2021, Stone Old Alleynians took on Lichfield City at home as part of the Midland League Premier Division. Read Phil Johnson’s match report:
Stone Old Alleynians were narrowly defeated by Lichfield City in a closely fought encounter. Despite going ahead with a penalty, the Old Boys eventually lost 2-1 to a side that will be challenging for promotion at the end of the season. With leading scorer Jack Tomlinson missing, the Old Boys were looking to returning skipper Matt Thomas and Sam Wilson to score the goals.
The game started with both teams probing and keeping possession without creating much in the way of chances for the first three or four minutes. It was Old Alleynians who made the first strike on goal when Sam Wilson was presented with a chance only to see his effort easily saved by Lichfield keeper, James Beeson.
Lichfield’s first opportunity was presented to them with a poor back pass to Alleynians’ goalkeeper, Adam Alcock. Fortunately, Alcock was quick enough to get to the ball before the Lichfield attacker. On 20 minutes, Stone’s Matt Thomas was unlucky to see his pass to Sam Wilson intercepted just before he was about to score.
Alleynians went in front after 30 minutes after winger Sam Bowater was fouled in the penalty area when he was about to shoot for goal. The resulting penalty was despatched by Dave Ablewhite to give the hosts a 1-0 lead. Five minutes later, only Adam Alcock’s brilliance kept Lichfield out as he pulled off a great save from a powerful Matt Dixon shot and then he was up quickly to push the rebound round the post.
Lichfield got their reward on 40 minutes after another dangerous attack saw Old Boys keeper Alcock called into action again. He again saved well but the rebound fell to Dixon, who, when challenged by a defender, fell over. The referee decided that there had been a foul and a penalty was awarded. Dan Lomas stepped up to fire home from the spot bringing the scores level at 1-1.
Half time: Stone Old Alleynians 1-1 Lichfield City
The 2nd half started with Lichfield having most of the possession and it was not a surprise when they went ahead after 50 minutes. An Alleynians attack broke down on the halfway line with the ball falling to the forceful Dixon. He strode forward with the ball, under little challenge and fired in a shot from 20 yards. Alcock pushed it out wide, but Lichfield’s Patterson was first to react and he hit the ball into the home net from the angle to give his team a 2-1 lead.
From this point, the visitors had a lot of possession, playing the ball around but not making any chances. They lost the dangerous Patterson to a hamstring injury and in the last 15 minutes seemed content to sit back and allow Alleynians come on to them.
This strategy almost backfired 3 minutes from the end when, after a good move, Alleynians’ Sam Wilson dribbled into the Lichfield penalty area. The ball was moved on to Sam Bowater who went down under the challenge of a defender. Despite the appeals of the home players, the referee decided not to award the third penalty of the game.
The Old Boys put in a good performance against one of the league’s better teams and can feel unfortunate not to have got a point from the game. The next three league games are all at home and Alleynians need to ensure as many points as possible from these matches.
Full time: Stone Old Alleynians 1-2 Lichfield City
Stone OA: Alcock, Baxter, Bradbury, Ablewhite, Harrison, Davies, Bowater S, Bailey, Wilson, Bowater J, Thomas (Moody).
