FC Oswestry Town (0) 0 Whitchurch Alport (2) 3
Martin Wild reports
The midweek Shropshire derby produced goals and plenty of talking points as Alport put Hallmark Security League newcomers and local rivals, FC Oswestry Town, to the sword with a 3-0 win at Park Hall Stadium. Two first half goals from skipper Si Everall gave Alport a half-time cushion and young Matty Ashbrook coolly slotted home his first for the club early in the second half. But just two minutes later, Ashbrook turned hero to villain with a late challenge on the halfway line that brought a straight red card from the match official. His was the second dismissal in as many matches for Whitchurch following Stevie McNichol’s sending off at the end of the Charnock Richard game. The home side were also reduced to ten men when sub George Durrell went in late on Carl Everall and the ref pulled out the red card once more with 20 minutes left.
In front of a bumper 161 crowd at the Venue, Alport looked slick throughout creating a host of chances, while Town just couldn’t find a way through a well marshalled back four and were restricted to long range pot shots. Danny Read in the Whitchurch goal had very little to do and the whole team from 1 to 11 gave immaculate performances to thrill the 70 or so away fans who’d made the short journey. They applauded their team off the pitch and it was richly deserved with this newly assembled Alport side finding top gear right from the first whistle.
Ashbrook had already brought a save out of George Austin before sliding through a magnificently weighted pass to Everall who’d timed his run in behind to perfection. As Austin sprinted from his line, the Reds captain skipped past him and rolled the ball into the unguarded goal after just seven minutes. Alport dictated the play and made it difficult for Town who had perhaps underestimated the technical ability of the Yockings Park men. Despite missing the likes of Elliot Ledwards, Louis Johnson, McNichol and Mike Blundell, Whitchurch strolled through the first half adding a second on the half hour when Everall rose to plant his header past Austin, after a great delivery from Alex Hughes' free kick.
Ashbrook was destroying the full back with great control and when he had a shooting chance five minutes after the interval, he picked out the far corner with a precision finish that left Austin helpless. At that stage in proceedings it looked like Alport had the firepower needed to trump their previous biggest win of the season 5-0 against Eccleshall. But a moment of madness from teenager Ashbrook led to his dismissal, after a rash challenge on the halfway line dumped his opponent to the floor with the ball having long gone. The ref was left with no option but to send Ashbrook back to the dressing rooms and it was the pre-cursor to one or two flashpoints as the niggly side of the game crept in. But Alport showed they could mix it too and defended deep managing the game superbly. Town sub Durrell joined Matty after a poor tackle on player manager Carl Everall to even up the numbers, and there was never any doubt that the away side would win the points. Si had two more chances – the last right on the whistle – to make it four and complete his hat-trick, but it was impossible to find fault after an impeccable display from the boys in Red.
MOM: Everyone   
Alport: Read, Ward, Marley, Twigg, Goddard, Tinsley, Ashbrook, Everall C, Everall S (c), Hughes, Tinsley D