St Helens Town 1 Alport 5
 
Alport recorded their biggest away win of the season after beating St Helens Town 5-1 for the second time in six weeks. The Merseysiders were clobbered at the end of the year at Yockings, and then battered again in their own back yard on Saturday. In all fairness to Town, the scoreline flattered Whitchurch a little bit in what was another physical test for this improving bunch of players. Two late goals added a bit of gloss to the performance as Alport showed again that they are a serious threat to Silsden’s title hopes. The gap may well be fourteen points still, but the Reds have four games in hand and have to still to play the Cobbydalers at home. And when you consider the gap was 29 points only a few months ago, it emphasises what a superb achievement it is that this 11th successive win helped Alport up to second spot in the First Division table for the first time since September.
 
Ben Mills headed the Reds into a 12th minute lead from a Si Everall cross in the 12th minute at the newly named Arcoframe Stadium, and but for a Liam Diggle volley that flew over, Alport were largely in control. But it was in the later stages of the first half that the game was really won. Mills curled home an absolute belter eight minutes before the break that gave Carl Williams no chance, and with seconds to go to the half time whistle, another short corner kick caught out the hosts and Hovik Nersesyan headed in for his first goal for the club.
 
But the likeable centre-back was guilty of over-playing three minutes into the second half and was robbed of possession. The ball was fed into Matty Smith who finished really well past Danny Read to give the Merseysiders some hope. Williams made a fine save away to his right to beat away Si Everall’s powerful shot as the away team went in search of another to restore their three goal advantage. But they almost saw it halved when Diggle connected with fresh air when a goal looked certain.
 
That miss would hurt Town badly. They switched off from yet another set play allowing the outstanding Nick Marley the time to pick out substitute Sean Griffiths, who powered home another header from 6 yards with six minutes left. And right on the whistle, skipper Everall beat the offiside trap and danced around Williams to net a fifth - having been denied a goal his endeavours deserved 12 minutes earlier by a linesman's flag. It was the icing on the cake on what had been another terrific performance from the team.