Alport 2 Eccleshall 0
 
Whitchurch Alport’s winning streak extended to four games in all competitions in front of nearly 200 fans at Yockings Park on Saturday. A goal in each half from Dean Twigg and debutant Sean Griffiths was enough to keep Alport very handily placed in the North West Counties First Division promotion race.
 
Despite getting off to a near perfect start courtesy of Twigg’s sixth minute opener, this performance against a plucky Eccleshall side was far from vintage from Luke Goddard’s men. But Griffiths’ second goal midway through the second period made sure the points were safe despite the valiant efforts of the lowly visitors.
 
Alport named a strong starting XI with Alex Hughes – Malpas’ prolific striker – earning a starting place, after scoring twice in a midweek friendly win against Middlewich. On the bench was last year’s top goalscorer, Mike Blundell, as well as former Shrrewsbury Town and Crewe Alexandra midfielder, Kevin Street, and both got vital minutes to see the Reds home.
 
It didn’t take long before the home fans were celebrating - although it took a slip from goalkeeper Matthew Johnson to allow ex-Eccleshall midfielder Twigg to profit early doors. And he almost made it two in two minutes with Johnson redeeming himself somewhat with a smart save from a free-kick.
 
It was difficult for the Reds to find any kind of fluidity to their game with the Yockings pitch heavy and sapping energy levels. Too often the final ball was misplaced or over-hit and it led to a frustrating first 45 for Whitchurch. They did have opportunities to extend their lead - Callum Downie made a fine block to repel Si Everall’s goalbound shot and Ryan Thomas – with a speculative overhead effort – and Twigg again with the best chance of the match, might have put the game to bed before half time.
 
But four minutes after Everall had skied a second half chance way over, Griffiths was there to lash the ball high past Johnson who had done well to keep out an Arron Johns effort. The celebration from the new signing epitomised what this club is all about and he was mobbed by jubilant team mates.
 
There were very few clear cut openings throughout for either side with Kieran Brown having the two best chances for Eccleshall and that was in the first half.
 
And, much like the reverse fixture back in August at Pershall Park, Alport had just that little bit extra on their plucky opponents who demonstrated once again what fine progress they have made from this time a year ago. But unquestionably, the most pleasing aspect from the weekend performance was another clean sheet. A remarkable seventh in 10 league games at Yockings; it means the Reds are conceding a goal every 5 hours on home soil!
 
Next up for the promotion chasers is a mouth-watering derby clash at FC Oswestry Town on Boxing Day.