Alsager Town 0-1 Shawbury United
Alsager Town faced league newcomers, Shawbury United, at Wood Park, hoping to return to winning ways after a 4-4 draw on the road against Market Drayton, when they were secured a point thanks to Harry Short’s stoppage time equaliser.
The first half was far from pretty as the Bullets failed to get going. They relied on long balls, most of which failed to reach their targets, while their passes were misplaced and sloppy.
Despite this, the home side had a couple of chances to take the lead. Kaylan Wilkinson found himself in a promising shooting position to the goalkeeper’s right, but he fired his effort over the bar.
Matthew Argent-Barnes got into a similar position later in the half, but he opted to send a drilled cross across the box rather than shooting. Lewis Martin was the target, but he failed to reach the ball, ending the attacking move.
The only real positive in the opening 45 minutes for the Bullets came when Shawbury striker, Oliver Wysopal, was sent off for something he said to the referee.
But the Bullets failed to take advantage as there was nothing to separate the two sides at half time.
Half time: Alsager Town 0-0 Shawbury United
For much of the second half, the story remained the same for the Bullets. They aimlessly played balls forwards and did not have enough players in the opposition penalty box when chances occurred.
But playing against a team with only 10 men, the Bullets came closer to scoring than they did in the first half. Lewis Martin had their biggest chance when he took a shot which looked to have beaten the keeper, but hit the post.
Although it was Shawbury who opened the scoring when substitute, Danar Saber, headed home from a corner.
Alsager looked to respond, with Junior Brown and James Phillips both having chances, but Shawbury goalkeeper, Ashley Rawlins, was superb, making some top class saves to keep his side ahead.
Both sides suffered from ill discipline in the second half. A Shawbury player committed a reckless foul which he was booked for, but it could have been a red card.
Alsager were also lucky not to have a man sent off when Adam Barlow appeared to throw an elbow, following an argument over an offside call when he refused to give Shawbury the ball for a free kick.
But the Bullets were eventually reduced to 10 men when substitute, Mani Hickson, shoved Rawlins in the face during a heated brawl, after he took out Hickson and his own teammate, Emmanuel Williams, whilst making a diving save to prevent Phillip’s header going in.
Although Alsager had the better chances throughout the match, they were a long way off their best and did not deserve anything from the game.
Full time: Alsager Town 0-1 Shawbury United
Today’s defeat saw the Bullets drop to fourth in the NWCFL First Division South league table, three points off league leaders Stafford Town.
The Bullets must recover quickly from their first league home defeat of the season, as they take on Sandbach United – who are in ninth on 14 points – away from home in a local derby next Saturday.
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