Bullets Exit the Men United Cup

On the day that Alsager Town Football Club announced that they had parted company with Manager Will Ryder and his assistant Steve Harper, they entertained North West Counties League First Division side Stockport Town in the Second Round of the MEN United (League) Cup.
With the appointment of a new manager imminent within the next few days, club Chairman Terry Greer took to the home dugout against a Stockport Town side who currently sit in second place in their inaugural season in the league.
Despite their woeful league form, cup ties have provided a welcome relief for the Bullets who have registered some notable victories in both this seasons FA Cup and FA Vase competitions. The League Cup alongside the Cheshire Senior Cup are undoubtedly the least lucrative of the four cup competitions, nevertheless, it was hoped that Alsager would use the game to try and bounce back and gain some much needed confidence following their midweek thrashing by 1874 Northwich. Sadly, I have to report that the Bullets were to yet again disappoint. Three needless fouls resulted in three goals for the visitors by half-time, and ultimately the game was lost. In the fifth minute, Alsager’s captain Adam Dawson tripped Stockport winger Benjamin Brookes just inside the eighteen yard box and Nathan Neequaye dispatched the resultant penalty. In the 12th minute, Kyle Stubbs conceded a free-kick just outside the penalty area and Matthew German fired the ball past Bullets keeper Jack Cookson following a well-worked routine. A minute before the break, Ryan Connor’s foul, again, just inside the area resulted in Neequaye notching his second spot kick and it was game over. The Bullets could perhaps feel aggrieved that the visiting goalkeeper, Jacob Luty should have been dismissed rather than receiving a yellow card when he hauled Chris M. Smith to the ground on the edge of the eighteen yard box within the opening minute, however overall, the home side created very little and ultimately Stockport Town deserved their victory and a tie against Barnton in the next round.
Next Saturday, Alsager Town entertain Borrowash Victoria at Wood Park in the First Round Proper of the FA Vase. Kick –off 3.00pm

Alsager Town: Cookson, Bourne, Connor (Warren), Brown (Chadwick), Dawson, Stubbs, Crane, Blake, Chris M. Smith (Shaw), Crofts, Clayton. Sub (not used) Elcock.

Attendance: 53.

Ian Woodward.

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