Allscott AFC get off to winning ways

Allscotts preparation for the season finished and focus went to their first league game of the season on a rainy miserable day.

The game started off very well with some great link up play in the middle of park from Gregory, Alderson & Bradshaw. Some darting runs from Parker and Dickenson was just too hot to handle. Allscott were looking very comfortable until from nowhere a through ball was passed through to the big Shifnal number nine who attempted a lob shot over the keeper Parry, unfortunately Parry collided with the Shifnal player inside the Allscott box and the referee pointed to the spot.

Allscott kept their heads raised high and the back three of Davis, new signing Bentley and Oldfield were a solid brick wall and played some fantastic football from the back. Bradshaw was pulling all the strings in the centre of the park spraying passing to his front men that Xabi Alonso would have been proud of. Alderson and Gregory kept the engine going closing the Shifnal players down to stop them playing simple football. Parker and Worthington causing a nuisance on the left side saw Worthington pass the ball into Parkers path and his quick feet was too much for the sluggish Shifnal defence who brought him down in the box. Up stepped Boswell with focus and composure who slotted his first league goal. 5 minutes later Parker had to come off as he was unable to shake off his earlier knock to be replaced by Heston who instantly made an impact and dominated on the left side. The return of 1st team keeper Parry was a great boost and he looked at his best and was communicating great at the back to take pressure off his back 4.

2nd Half

After team talk at half time the side went to a 4-4-2 and dominated from the start. Oldfield and Bradshaw moved into the centre of the park with Worthington and Gregory on the wings. Back four of Dickenson, Davis, Bentley and Heston. Up top Alderson and Boswell.

The team started off where they left off and played some exhibition football some great one twos. Davis winning every header in the air and Bentley calm and composed playing it from the back. 15 minutes into the second half saw a lovely through ball to Allscott number 9 Alderson who attempted to run round the Shifnal defender only to be taken down for their second penalty of the game. Boswell again stepped up and slotted it home too high to accurate for the keeper. Allscott took the lead 2-1.
10 minutes later some great play started with a back heel from Bradshaw who found Worthington, he turned and ran at the Shifnal players and found Alderson who held the ball to allow Worthington to run onto a lovely acute pass for Worthington to claim his first goal for Allscott in 2012.
Bradshaw was taken off and replaced by Minshall who started off very well and bolstered the centre of the park. Oldfield took the game into his own hands and saw a run from his own half through 4 players into the opposing penalty area and passed the ball into the box to be fired over the bar. Alderson made a fantastic run that was spotted by Boswell to see his shot palmed wide by the keeper. Worthington grabbed his brace from the left flank which he took superbly. Gregory was replaced by Leech who kept it steady at the back and never looked under pressure. Dickenson went right wing.

2 Minutes from the end Shifnal was awarded a free kick outside the box which was converted by their left back, a goal that he will tell his grand children about.