TJ Vickers Premier Cup Semi-Final - Market Drayton Town 1 Whitchurch Alport 0
Tue 14th February 2017 | County Cup Competitions | By Ian Templeman
A goal at the start of the second half ended Whitchurch Alport's hopes of cup glory in the semi final of the TJ Vickers Shropshire Premier Cup.
Shaquille Whittingham's strike just 70 seconds after the restart proved to be decisive in booking a place in the final of the competition for holders Market Drayton Town, but Alport can hold their heads high after a strong performance over 90 minutes in which they more than held their own against opponents from two leagues above.
Alport lined up with their management team of Luke Goddard and Carl Everall in the starting eleven, and they settled confidently into a game which progressed through its early stages without either goalkeeper being troubled by any goalscoring threat.
Alport created the first clear cut opportunity on 15 minutes, when Mike Blundell's cross found Ryan Thomas, who headed wide at the far post.
Blundell, who was booked early on for a late challenge, was again involved in another chance for Alport on the half hour mark, with a well struck shot just over the bar, and a few minutes later a Simon Everall effort drifted wide as Alport began to enjoy the better of the possession.
Alport finished the half on the front foot by creating a couple more chances before the break, Carl Everall firing a shot wide and then a Mike Blundell free kick missed the target by a yard on the stroke of half time.
It had been a good first half for the men in red, who had more than matched their Evo-Stik League opponents, and they headed for the dressing room with applause from their large and vocal travelling support ringing in their ears.
But events took a turn for the worse just 70 seconds into the second half as Shaquille Whittingham blasted Market Drayton into the lead.
It was a disappointing blow after such a promising opening 45 minutes, but Alport showed no signs of panic and had more than a fair share of the possession as the game reached the midway point of the second half, when they made a double substitution with Stevie McNichol and Louis James being replaced by Oliver Jepson and Dean Twigg.
However, Market Drayton began to take control, and with 18 minutes remaining striker Will Whieldon came close to doubling his side's advantage but missed the target by a matter of inches.
It needed a big push from Alport but as the clock ticked down, they failed to threaten to Market Drayton goal until late on, with a Matty Ashbrook effort from the edge of the box being pushed away by Rawlins in the Market Drayton goal.
But the final goalmouth action of the night took place at the other end, when Danny Read in the Alport goal made a smart save from substitute Ben Osai in the closing seconds to prevent a second goal, and the final whistle sounded moments later to seal Alport's fate.
TJ Vickers Premier Cup Semi-Final - Market Drayton Town 1 Whitchurch Alport 0
Tue 14th February 2017 | County Cup Competitions
By Ian Templeman
A goal at the start of the second half ended Whitchurch Alport's hopes of cup glory in the semi final of the TJ Vickers Shropshire Premier Cup.
Shaquille Whittingham's strike just 70 seconds after the restart proved to be decisive in booking a place in the final of the competition for holders Market Drayton Town, but Alport can hold their heads high after a strong performance over 90 minutes in which they more than held their own against opponents from two leagues above.
Alport lined up with their management team of Luke Goddard and Carl Everall in the starting eleven, and they settled confidently into a game which progressed through its early stages without either goalkeeper being troubled by any goalscoring threat.
Alport created the first clear cut opportunity on 15 minutes, when Mike Blundell's cross found Ryan Thomas, who headed wide at the far post.
Blundell, who was booked early on for a late challenge, was again involved in another chance for Alport on the half hour mark, with a well struck shot just over the bar, and a few minutes later a Simon Everall effort drifted wide as Alport began to enjoy the better of the possession.
Alport finished the half on the front foot by creating a couple more chances before the break, Carl Everall firing a shot wide and then a Mike Blundell free kick missed the target by a yard on the stroke of half time.
It had been a good first half for the men in red, who had more than matched their Evo-Stik League opponents, and they headed for the dressing room with applause from their large and vocal travelling support ringing in their ears.
But events took a turn for the worse just 70 seconds into the second half as Shaquille Whittingham blasted Market Drayton into the lead.
It was a disappointing blow after such a promising opening 45 minutes, but Alport showed no signs of panic and had more than a fair share of the possession as the game reached the midway point of the second half, when they made a double substitution with Stevie McNichol and Louis James being replaced by Oliver Jepson and Dean Twigg.
However, Market Drayton began to take control, and with 18 minutes remaining striker Will Whieldon came close to doubling his side's advantage but missed the target by a matter of inches.
It needed a big push from Alport but as the clock ticked down, they failed to threaten to Market Drayton goal until late on, with a Matty Ashbrook effort from the edge of the box being pushed away by Rawlins in the Market Drayton goal.
But the final goalmouth action of the night took place at the other end, when Danny Read in the Alport goal made a smart save from substitute Ben Osai in the closing seconds to prevent a second goal, and the final whistle sounded moments later to seal Alport's fate.
