PLAYER-manager Luke Askey celebrated a clean sheet and valuable point as Stone Old Alleynians drew 0-0 at Capelli Sport MFL Premier leaders Winsford United on Saturday.
It keeps things tight at the foot of the top tier with second-bottom Stone now within goal difference of Uttoxeter Town, whose home clash with Northwich Victoria was postponed, immediately above the relegation places.
“The conditions were tough,” said Askey.
“We played against the wind first half, defended well and then grew into the game as it went on. We could have nicked it towards the end but a point and a clean sheet here is massive for us.”
Second-placed Abbey Hulton United remain level on points with Winsford having also drawn, sharing the spoils 2-2 at Sporting Khalsa.
Ben Marshall put the visitors ahead midway through the first half only for Freddie Cockerell to restore parity five minutes later. A second from Marshall right on the stroke of half-time put the United back in front before Dilano Reid levelled matters towards the end.
Third-placed Runcorn Town also took a point from a 1-1 draw at Sutton United, Aidan Mee’s sweet second-half strike cancelling out Ed Burthem’s first half opener for the visitors.
There was late drama as Brocton drew 2-2 at Darlaston Town. A first-half goal from Abdul Bashiri had given Darlo the lead before Reg Smith equalised with 15 minutes to go.
Matty Lovatt’s men thought they had nicked it towards the end when Kie Houlihan put them back in front only for Smith to grab his second in the final minute.
Dudley Town bagged an entertaining 5-3 win at Stockport Georgians.
Josh Winthrop put the home side in front but the match was turned on its head in a 15-minute spell leading up to half-time when Ryan Snape levelled followed by Drew Turner bagging a brace.
Quick-fire strikes from Oliver Hitchcox and Lucas Berry brought the scores level early in the second half only for Snape to weigh in with his second moments later with Omario Ford scoring late on to confirm victoy for the Black County outfit.
Lye Town swiftly recovered from an early blow to bag a 4-1 victory over Wythenshawe Town, leapfrogging their visitors in the process.
A first-minute opener from Sajjad Elhassan was cancelled out by two from Luke Sidaway within the opening 10 minutes. Natty Dixon added a third on 22 minutes and Olly Shaw completed the scoring just past the hour.
Whitchurch Alport secured a commanding 3-0 win over bottom side Tividale, a brace from Liam Armstrong either side of Ollie Holden’s goal doing the business, although the afternoon ended on a sour note for Armstrong who was sent off.
A Lewis Riley-Stewart goal proved to be the difference as Romulus beat Cheadle Town 1-0, whilst Macara McNulty-Harnett and Louie Webb struck to give AFC Wolverhampton City a 2-1 victory at West Didsbury & Chorlton, an impressive fifth away win of the season.
Results
Premier Division
Darlaston Town 2-2 Brocton
Lye Town 4-1 Wythenshawe Town
Romulus 1-0 Cheadle Town
Sporting Khalsa 2-2 Abbey Hulton United
Stockport Georgians 3-5 Dudley Town
Sutton United 1-1 Runcorn Town
Uttoxeter Town P-P Northwich Victoria
West Didsbury & Chorlton 1-2 AFC Wolverhampton City
Whitchurch Alport 3-0 Tividale
Winsford United 0-0 Stone Old Alleynians
Division One
Anstey Town 1-1 AFC North Kilworth
Bustleholme 2-2 Stapenhill
Coalville Town 1-1 Leicester St Andrews
Coventry Copsewood 1-2 Lutterworth Athletic
Cradley Town P-P Birmingham OJM
FCV Grace Dieu 3-3 Kirby Muxloe
GNG Oadby Town 5-0 Birstall United
Gornal Athletic P-P Ingles
Heather St. John’s 1-2 Boldmere Rangers
Holwell Sports 1-2 Northfield Town
Saffron Dynamo 1-2 Chelmsley Town
