Alsager Town 3-2 Stockport Georgians
Alsager Town were seeking revenge today as they welcomed Stockport Georgians to Wood Park. The visitors handed the Bullets their first defeat of the season just over a month ago, in what was Stockport’s first win of the season.
Alsager were third in the league before the game thanks to a 4-0 win over Wolverhampton last Saturday, ending their four-match winless streak in all competitions. While Stockport sat 17th, in the relegation zone, having only won two matches so far this season.
It was a pleasant afternoon as the sun shone over Wood Park, but darkened skies would later overshadow the ground as a storm began to blow.
The Bullets started the match well, opening the scoring when Kieran Hamm beat the defender to the ball and tucked it into the bottom left corner, past the keeper.
Stockport struggled early on as they attempted to play the ball out from the back. Rather than progressing forwards, they knocked the ball aimlessly from side to side, while their defenders lacked composure.
But things changed when Stockport struck back with a well worked goal. The ball was crossed into the box from the right wing and finished by Lucas Berry.
With Stockport back in the game, Alsager temporarily lost control of the game, as they struggled to keep the ball. However, they remained committed to regaining the lead, with Reece Davies missing from close range.
The Bullets were rewarded for their efforts when Alex Hughes maneuvered his way around the Stockport defenders and gave the goalkeeper no chance, as he guided his finish into the left corner.
Half time: Alsager Town 2-1 Stockport Georgians
Stockport got off to a flying start in the second half. Spencer Jenkinson tackled Bullets captain, Ryan Goodwin, and played the ball to Berry who scored his second goal of the game, to put his side level once more.
With the contest so even, tensions were rising. Multiple players went down injured and Stockport wanted a penalty when they claimed their attacker was fouled. They were left even more frustrated when Berry was taken down while sprinting away on the right wing, which they believed was a last man foul and should have been a red card.
The Bullets gave the ball away a lot, much to the frustration of the supporters, and allowed Stockport too much time on the ball. But they bounced back again, piling the pressure as they won set pieces and created chances.
They hit the bar from a corner and kept pushing, leading to their match winning goal scored by Kieron Frost. He received the ball on the right wing and fired his shot past the keeper.
The Bullets survived a late scare when goalkeeper, Ellis Allen, leapt to make a punching save, before Alsager had to do some frantic defending which saw the ball almost cross the line.
Alsager survived and secured the three points and it was nearly 4-2 at the end when former Stockport Georgian man, Samuel Oko, beat multiple defenders and was only denied by a goal line clearance.
Full time: Alsager Town 3-2 Stockport Georgians
Alsager’s win over Stockport Georgians saw them move up to second in the NWCFL First Division South, just two points behind league leaders Stafford Town. Although Stafford and third placed Winsford United both have a game in hand.
The Bullets will face Cheadle Heath Nomads next Saturday at Wood Park, who are 5th on 25 points, having played the same number of games as Alsager.
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