Honours even in 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Casuals

In their final league game of the season, the Old Boys had plenty of opportunities to finish the season off on a high. Despite missing a penalty, they should have added to their score before half-time. Alleynians had further good chances in the second half and they eventually took a lead in the second half. Wolverhampton took advantage of a dubious penalty award to bring the scores level, but despite further openings, the home team failed to add to their tally and they had to settle for a draw.

Both teams were looking to attack at any opportunity and it was Casuals who had the first real attempt on goal when their striker, Jordan Wilson, rose high to head wide of the Alleynians goal. However, the hosts thought they had got the breakthrough they needed when Jack Bowater was fouled in the Wolverhampton box and a penalty was awarded. With regular penalty taker, Dave Ablewhite unavailable through injury, striker Jack Tomlinson stepped up to take it, but he could only watch in disbelief as Casuals’ keeper, Jake Daniel dived the right way to save and keep the scores level.

Alleynians were denied another penalty five minutes later when Bowater was brought down again in the Wolverhampton penalty area. This time the referee waved away the Alleynians’ protests. The hosts continued to press with Tomlinson firing over on 25 minutes, then heading over when well placed five minutes later. He also had a great chance to increase the Old Boys’ lead when he got through on a 1v1 with Daniel, but once again the keeper kept the striker’s goal bound effort out of the goal with another good save.

The second half followed a similar pattern with Casuals having possession but not making too much of their openings. Alleynians were looking lively with play moving rapidly from one end to the other. In the 62nd minute, a home corner was cleared by the Casuals’ defence to Tomlinson, who was lurking on the edge of the box. He fired off a powerful shot which flew into the away goal, to give the Old Boys a 1-0 lead.

The lead didn’t last long and in the 68th minute, Wolverhampton were awarded a very soft penalty as their forward went down easily under challenge from Sam Bradbury. Striker Jordan Wilson stepped up and confidently shot past Alleynians keeper Andrew Walklate, bringing the scores level at 1-1.

Alleynians had numerous chances with Sam Wilson going very close twice and Tomlinson seeing another attempt well saved by Daniel. Casuals also had their chances and when Josh Hesson shot from 15 yards, it took a superb save by Walklate to keep the scores level.

In the 89th minute, Alleynians thought they had snatched the victory when Tomlinson shot home from 20 yards after a corner. Unfortunately, an assistant’s flag was raised and the goal ruled out and the Old Boys’ final league game of the season ended with a 1-1 draw.

Stone OA: Walklate, Wilson, Bradbury, Baxter, Davies, Bowater J, Sinclair, Bailey, Wilson, Cimino, Woolrich
Subs: Alcock, Bowater S, Gardner, Ablewhite