Alsager Town 4-0 Wolverhampton Sporting Community
Alsager Town looked to return to winning ways in competitive football after drawing 1-1 against local rivals Sandbach United. The Bullets were winless in their previous three league matches, but recorded an impressive 5-2 victory in a midweek friendly against Wythenshawe.
Both Alsager and Wolverhampton had chances in the first half which they failed to convert. Goalkeepers, Josh Bennett and Ellis Allen, made saves to keep things level, but the Wolverhampton shot stopper was tested more.
The Bullets were frustrated by their poor execution in the final third. Too many balls failed to reach their target and when they did, chances went unconverted.
Their best chance in the first half came when the ball was flicked on to Alex Hughes, who volleyed the ball straight at the keeper from close range.
Some supporters noted the similarities between Alsager’s first 45 minutes against Wolverhampton and their first league home defeat of the season against Shawbury United, as it looked like the goal would never come.
Half time: Alsager Town 0-0 Wolverhampton Sporting Community
Fears surrounding Alsager’s lack of efficiency up front were soon gone as the Bullets looked like a team transformed in the second half.
Matthew Argent-Barnes hit the left post with a shot just inside the box and the ball rebounded for Reece Davis to head home and give Alsager the lead. Wolverhampton appealed for offside, but the linesman made the correct call.
Minutes later the away side were reduced to 10 men when Jack Arnold was sent off for dissent and he was later joined by one of the Wolverhampton coaches who called the referee “useless”.
Things went from bad to worse for Wolverhampton when Kieran Hamm was fouled inside the box. The debutant made no mistake from the spot, firing his penalty into the bottom right corner to double Alsager’s lead.
Wolverhampton worked to get themselves back in the game, but Alsager remained strong defensively and scored a third goal when Lewis Martin drilled a cross to Hughes, who was left with a tap-in.
And the Bullets scored again when in a moment of madness, Bennett failed to clear the ball on the edge of his box and was tackled by Hughes, who assisted Argent-Barnes to extend the lead to four goals.
Wolverhampton were surely relieved as the referee put them out of their misery and blew for full time, while Alsager moved up to third thanks to their impressive second half performance.
Full time: Alsager Town 4-0 Wolverhampton Sporting Community
The Bullets face Stockport Georgians next Saturday as they look to close the gap on league leaders Stafford Town.
Stockport have already beaten Alsager this season, but they are on a three match losing streak, most recently suffering a 4-1 home defeat to Cheadle Heath Nomads.
The match kicks off at 3pm at Wood Park.
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