BID TO ESCAPE THE DROP CONTINUES

Alsager Town recorded back-to-back victories in the space of just 48 hours to boost their chances of avoiding the drop from the premier division of the North West Counties League. Following their narrow victory at AFC Blackpool, the Bullets put on a sterling show for the Wood Park faithful on Thursday evening, in what was their final home game of the campaign against third placed Atherton Collieries. Three goals up at the break after a first forty five minutes of total dominance, the home side looked to have the three points secured and banked in their survival quest, but of course second halves have been a problematic feature throughout the season, so when the Colls hit the net twice in the closing stages there were a few jitters, but thankfully this time, the Bullets clung on to take the spoils.
Fielding a strong side with dual-registered players Jonathon Beaumont, Chris Baker (both Leek Town) and Josh Gordon (Nantwich Town) in the line-up, there was plenty of pace and attacking threat from the home side from the outset with Gordon particularly influential. He last featured in an Alsager shirt for a brief spell during the 2014/15 season when he netted six goals in just four appearances, so it was no surprise when he got his name onto the scoresheet in the 26th minute. His surging run into the box was brought to a halt by Colls left-back Ahmed Sulley and it was Gordon himself who dispatched the resultant spot-kick past keeper Adam Reid, who despite getting a hand to the ball couldn’t prevent it hitting the back of the net. Two minutes later it was 2-0, Daniel Cocks in-swinging corner from the left being fumbled into his own net by Reid. With the hosts in the ascendency and Colls failing to seriously test Matt Conkie in the home goal, a needless incident on the half hour resulted in both sides being reduced to ten men. The ever-combative Cocks and Colls No. 6, Callum Jones became involved in an altercation outside the visitor’s eighteen yard box and after deliberations with his fellow officials, the referee showed red cards to both players.
With the Colls looking to hit back before the break, the Bullets scored the decisive third goal two minutes into added time at the end of the half, Baker cleverly playing a ball through to Leigh Skellern who beat the offside trap, raced down the right into the box and found Gordon at the far post, who netted from close range.
Alsager continued to play some good football in the second half and although Colls were now posing more of an attacking threat, Beaumont should really have made the game safe in the 65th minute, but somehow miscued the ball wide of the target from Gordon’s neat pass. Conkie made a great save to deny Mark Truffas, but in the 84th minute, Colls finally got onto the scoresheet, substitute Jordan Cover heading a Truffas cross from the left low and hard past Conkie.
Two minutes into added time it was 3-2, Mark Ayres converting a James Kirby cross from the left before the referee finally brought the game to a close.
Alsager’s win moved them from the foot of the table up to 20th position with 35 points from 40 games, three points from safety owing to their inferior goal difference. With each of their four relegation rivals in action before the Bullets play their penultimate game at Barnoldswick Town next Wednesday evening, fingers will be crossed for some favourable results as the enthralling battle at the bottom nears its conclusion.
Forthcoming fixtures:
Wednesday 4th May v Barnoldswick Town (A). Kick-off 8.00pm.
Saturday 7th May v Maine Road (A). Kick-off 3.00pm.
Alsager Town: Conkie, Bourne, Stubbs, R. Smith (Bennion), Chadwick, Beaumont, Cocks, Booth (Crofts), Gordon (Lennon), Baker, Skellern, Subs (not used) Minton, Machin.
Attendance: 83. IW.