A Solid Start From Whitchurch Alport
Mon 10th August 2015 | Whitchurch Alport | By Ian Templeman
After a busy few months, and overcoming setbacks along the way, there was a collective feeling of both relief and satisfaction from everyone at Whitchurch Alport as their league campaign got underway on Saturday.
The Shropshire club welcomed Rochdale Town to Yockings Park in their inaugural Division One fixture in the NWCFL, and on a sunny day both teams contributed to an entertaining game that eventually finished in a 1-1 draw.
Club Chairman Andy Hough summed up his feelings after the game.
"The day has been rewarding", he said.
"We are glad that we have met all the standards, we are glad that the league officials who joined us have enjoyed the experience, we've not let anybody down and we got a good result at the end.
"We know it's going to be difficult, as we have no knowledge of other teams and other players, so each game will be new to us, but hopefully we will learn as games progress.
"We are looking forward to meeting people at other clubs who put the same amount of effort and commitment as we do, and I'm sure we will enjoy it".
When Luke Woollam put Alport ahead with 20 minutes to go, it looked like they might open their account with a win, but an equaliser from Rochdale's Alex Dibley 10 minutes later ensured the points were shared.
Despite the late setback, Alport manager Richie O'Keefe said afterwards he was happy with the way that his team had played.
"We'll take the point in the first game of the season, I'd have taken that beforehand as it's our first game", he said.
"But being 1-0 up with 15 minutes, it was a bit of a soft goal to concede and I thought if we had kept the ball in the right areas we would have been good for a win. Coming off at the end, people said we looked good and deserved a win.
"The lads now know we can compete at this level and that we can match teams, and we'll take it week-by-week and see how the season goes.
"I've told the players I want to finish in the top ten. The committee haven't set me a target but that is a target I've set myself and the players.
"We've got a couple of lads suspended and a couple more missing, so we have players to come in, and knowing that we are not 100% players wise and fitness wise means we can only get better".
A Solid Start From Whitchurch Alport
Mon 10th August 2015 | Whitchurch Alport
By Ian Templeman
After a busy few months, and overcoming setbacks along the way, there was a collective feeling of both relief and satisfaction from everyone at Whitchurch Alport as their league campaign got underway on Saturday.
The Shropshire club welcomed Rochdale Town to Yockings Park in their inaugural Division One fixture in the NWCFL, and on a sunny day both teams contributed to an entertaining game that eventually finished in a 1-1 draw.
Club Chairman Andy Hough summed up his feelings after the game.
"The day has been rewarding", he said.
"We are glad that we have met all the standards, we are glad that the league officials who joined us have enjoyed the experience, we've not let anybody down and we got a good result at the end.
"We know it's going to be difficult, as we have no knowledge of other teams and other players, so each game will be new to us, but hopefully we will learn as games progress.
"We are looking forward to meeting people at other clubs who put the same amount of effort and commitment as we do, and I'm sure we will enjoy it".
When Luke Woollam put Alport ahead with 20 minutes to go, it looked like they might open their account with a win, but an equaliser from Rochdale's Alex Dibley 10 minutes later ensured the points were shared.
Despite the late setback, Alport manager Richie O'Keefe said afterwards he was happy with the way that his team had played.
"We'll take the point in the first game of the season, I'd have taken that beforehand as it's our first game", he said.
"But being 1-0 up with 15 minutes, it was a bit of a soft goal to concede and I thought if we had kept the ball in the right areas we would have been good for a win. Coming off at the end, people said we looked good and deserved a win.
"The lads now know we can compete at this level and that we can match teams, and we'll take it week-by-week and see how the season goes.
"I've told the players I want to finish in the top ten. The committee haven't set me a target but that is a target I've set myself and the players.
"We've got a couple of lads suspended and a couple more missing, so we have players to come in, and knowing that we are not 100% players wise and fitness wise means we can only get better".
