Cheshire Senior Cup Win

Alsager Town’s cup adventures continued at The Barton Stadium, Winsford on Tuesday evening when they defeated fellow North West Counties Premier Division side 1874 Northwich 6-5 on penalties in the Preliminary Round of the Cheshire Senior Cup. With the scores locked at 1-1 after ninety minutes and neither side managing to find the net in extra-time it took sixteen penalties to finally settle the tie with Bullets goalkeeper Matthew Johnson saving three of the home team’s spot-kicks.
There were nine changes to the side that had started against AFC Darwen three days earlier, with only Ryan Connor and Chris M. Smith retaining their places. There were debuts for goalkeeper Matthew Johnson and midfielder Simon Krause with captain, Adam Dawson returning after serving a one match ban.
After a goalless and fairly even first-half, Alsager finally got their noses in front after the break when substitute Jack Woolley stroked the ball past 1874 keeper Matt Conkie in the 71st minute, after the home side had given away possession. That looked to have been just enough, but five minutes from time 1874 drew level from the penalty spot when Stuart Wellstead fired the ball hard and low past Johnson.
The second penalty shoot-out cup drama in Scott Dundas’s short reign ensued making it two out of two for the Bullets.

Alsager Town: M. Johnson, Elcock, Connor (Evans), Dawson, Chadwick, Tamakloe, Krause, Jones, Shaw (Woolley), Chris M. Smith, Crofts. Subs (not used) J. Johnson, Brotherton, Fletcher.

Attendance: 181.

Ian Woodward.