It was more cup success for Whitchurch Alport as a hat-trick from captain Simon Everall progressed the Reds into the second qualifying round of the FA Vase defeating a good Abbey Hulton side.
 
The season so far has been a frustrating one for Luke Goddard and his squad despite performances being strong they`ve been on the end of a couple of narrow defeats with a lack of goals a common trend. However the trip to Stoke-on-Trent could be the catalyst to kick starting a strong September as the goals arrived despite an average performance.
 
An even opening to the game for both sides with possession shared and limited chances for either. Abbey were doing a terrific job in frustrating Alport and looked to play quickly forward themselves to recent signing Lee Cropper. It was the visitors that struck first though, Lee Pickerill played in the over lapping Darren Campion whose cross found Pickerill again, his effort hit the post but Everall finished the rebound well to give Alport the lead mid way through the half. Then came a key moment in the match, Pickerill was hacked down five minutes later and a penalty duly awarded. Up stepped Everall but his attempt was easily saved by Luke Birkenshaw in the Abbey goal. This missed opportunity gave the home side a lift as Alport began to switch off and it was to be the Division One side who now took over. The equaliser soon arrived as a cross wasn’t dealt with by Nick Marley and Angelo Errico smashed home from 6 yards past Dave Parton. Yet again Alport were second to most things and after being sloppy in possession another cross wasn’t defended well as Leon Ashman headed into his own goal with five minutes remaining. The centre half had the perfect opportunity to make amends before half time as he missed a golden chance from a Campion free kick but his effort went high and wide with just the goalkeeper to beat. HT 2-1
 
Half time looked to be exactly what Alport needed as they began the second half looking a different side playing with more intensity and purpose. Dan Skelton rasped a volley that was heading into the Abbey goal before it hit a home defender on the line to go for a corner. Numerous corners were delivered with quality but good chances wasted as Alex Hughes and Joe Minshall missed headers. It was very much the visitors now on the front but with this it left good space behind their defence and Abbey went close on a couple of occasions on the counter attack as they looked to finish off the game. Hughes had a goal bound effort deflected wide for another Alport corner as the game approached the final fifteen minutes. The equaliser finally arrived shortly after, great work from Sean Griffiths on the left hand side eventually found Everall who spun and finished into the bottom corner with his left foot. Alport sensed the opportunity and within two minutes scored what was to be the winning goal. Campion`s cross was dropped by Birkenshaw and Everall drilled home for his hat-trick to send the Red Army into celebration. The final five minutes saw Alport manage the game well and progress to the second qualifying round, the furthest the club has been in the competition. FT 2-3
 
Luke Goddard`s thoughts “Well delighted to progress into the next round as it was most definitely our worst performance of the season but at the same time I thought the lads attitude in the second half was excellent so credit to the squad. The disappointment of the penalty miss for whatever reason led to us being very weak and we`ve just handed them two poor goals aswell as a real foothold in the game. Again we`ve created alot of chances and as the game went on I thought it was going to be more frustration but we`ve got the job done in the end and with that hopefully given some players that belief moving forward. This tie was always going to be a difficult one, I have the upmost respect for Abbey Hulton as a team and a club, they really have it right here and you can’t not be impressed by them. So I’m glad we`ve got through the test and we look forward to hosting Shepshed Dynamo in two weeks time now”