BULLETS SQUEEZE PAST GATE IN THE VASE

Alsager Town are through to the Second Qualifying Round of this season’s FA Vase competition after defeating fellow Hallmark Security League side Squires Gate in their First Round Qualifying tie at Wood Park on Saturday afternoon. Alsager’s reward for overcoming their Premier Division opponents will be a home game against fellow First Division side Stockport Town in a fortnight’s time, as well as collecting the winner’s prize money of £600.
With both teams forced into make several changes due to unavailability or injury, the Bullets were first to settle forcing two early corners then Michael Lennon looked certain to open their account but headed straight at Gate’s keeper Benjamin Fletcher after being left unmarked inside the six yard box. Josh Glover then headed wide from a Lennon corner, whilst at the other end Jacob Higham beat Troy Bourne down the left with his ball across the six yard box being booted to safety. Gate’s Ryan Tanser then fired over the top from a good position and his strike partner Ryan Riley did likewise moments later, with wayward shooting set to be a reoccurring feature of the visitor’s play throughout the afternoon.
The Bullets opened their account in the 16th minute, Glover benefiting from a rebound outside the area before skipping past a challenge and slotting the ball low to Fletcher’s left into the corner of the net. Alsager were good value for their lead at this stage and looked fairly comfortable with the sides cancelling each other out in the centre of the park. Taylor Attrell fired just wide for the Bullets, then Riley responded for the visitor’s with his shot being blocked at the expense of a corner. Neat interplay between Joe Minton and Glover led to Kyle Stubbs putting a good ball across the Gate six yard box with no one on hand to apply the finishing touch. Moments before the break Gate should really have levelled the tie when Riley met a corner from the left, but somehow headed wide of the target from close range.
Alsager made a change on the restart, Mark Grice replacing the limping Glover, and it was Grice who had a great chance to extend their lead with Fletcher having to dive full length to tip his shot to safety. Attrell then shot wide of the angle before Gate started to become increasingly threatening and in the 73rd minute Riley finally got on the scoresheet after getting free down the right and shooting past Bullets keeper Chris Fletcher. The visitors, buoyed by the equalizer pressed forward with Tanser and Riley both blazing good opportunities over the bar, before Attrell scored the winner ten minutes from time, striking a fierce shot low into the corner of the Gate net from eighteen yards. Late pressure from the visitors saw Chris Fletcher deny Riley but the Bullets clung on to claim the win.
Next three fixtures:
Saturday 17th September v Prestwich Heys (A). 3.00pm.
Tuesday 20th September v Sandbach United (H). 7.45pm.
Saturday 24th September v Stockport Town (H). FA Vase 2Q Round. 3.00pm.
Alsager Town: Fletcher, Bourne, Stubbs, Mountford, Taylor, Holmes, Minton (Chadwick), Attrell, Bennion, Lennon, J. Glover (Grice). Subs (not used) Skellern, Moorhead.
Attendance: 44 IW.