ABBEY HULTON 0 – 1 WHITCHURCH ALPORT
 
A solitary goal from the returning skipper Simon Everall was enough to earn Alport another three points in their push for promotion. Manager Luke Goddard took a risk in welcoming back a number key of bodies from injury in what turned out to be a good game of football against a strong Abbey Hulton side.
 
The game kicked off with a slight breeze against the visitors but credit to both sides who looked to get the ball down and play on what was a good surface at Birches Head given the awful weather of the past few months. Skipper Everall playing his first match for over a month started well, making those familiar runs that was giving Alport a good target to work off. Arron Johns was the first to go close to opening the scoreline, he ran on to a flick on in the 18 yd box and volleyed towards goal, terrific defending blocked the shot however and the game remained goalless. At the other end Abbey caused their own threats and went close on a couple of occasions from well delivered set pieces from Birks.
 
Good build up on the half hour mark gave Everall a fine opportunity in on goal, his left foot effort was well saved by Luke Birkenshaw in goal for the hosts. Lee Pickerill playing left back again for the Reds was impressive and his movement forward created a further couple of half chances but the home side defended superbly well to maintain their clean sheet for the first half.
 
Into the second period and makeshift forward Ryan Thomas was replaced by youngster Reece Taylor soon after the break as Alport looked to gain that goal to put themselves in control of the match. The game followed a similar pattern with both sides ultra competitive trying to find that final quality to take the lead. In the 70th minute Taylor was hauled down midway through the Abbey half. Nick Marley stepped up and found Everall with a superb cross as the skipper headed home from 6yds sending the players and excellent following from Alport into celebration. It was a goal Alport probably deserved on the balance of good chances and they now had something to hold onto.
 
Entering the final 15 minutes of the game however it was Abbey who finished with a flourish. Ben Mills playing centre half for the Reds cramped up and Sean Griffiths also had to be replaced after picking up a rib injury. Forward Sam Grimshaw who was returning from an achilles injury couldn’t be replaced due to Alport using all three of their substitutes so the walking wounded had to battle it out for the final period of the game. Danny Read pulled off two wonderful saves as the hosts threw everything at their opponents to pinch a goal. A couple of shots fired across the box that somehow didn`t end up in the Alport goal. After four minutes added on time the referee blew his whistle to give the away side a hard earned three points.
 
Missed chances could’ve come to cost Alport on the night with Abbey unlucky not to score late on but it was a hardworking display from the Reds bouncing back from a disappointing defeat at the weekend. No doubt it will be a case of a much needed rest for the squad this week ahead of title contenders Silsden visiting Yockings Park at the weekend. A special mention to Abbey Hulton & their officials who were outstanding on the night, a really pleasant club who are a credit to the league in what was a great advert for non league football on and off the field.