Going into Wednesday's game you would be forgiven if you thought Moorfield were favourites considering the games in hand they have. But Allenton aimed to write the script from the first kick and started the first midweek game of the year in such a high gear.
It should have been 11 v 10 early in the game, a brilliant move saw Billy clean through only to be taken from behind. A free-in and everyone expected the red to follow, but the ref kept his cards in his pocket.
Allenton went in front when Mick turned his man on a breakaway and fed Marc Gahan to slot under the advancing Moorfield keeper.
As the half went on, Allenton had some good spells, and all the work was undone when we conceded a 4th or 5th free-kick within range, and the No.11 duly obliged by leaving Kevin stranded.
Second half, we took the game to Moorfield, with the back-four performing well under pressure, giving us a platform to get the midfield further up the pitch.
It finally paid off when Marc Gahan was felled and converted the subsequent penalty to make it 2-1.
Just when you thought there would be no-more twists and turns, Moorfield equalised and it was game on again.
The game should have been beyond Moorfield at this stage, Marc Gahan failing to complete his hat-trick from close range.
With 7 to go Bobby stepped inside and launched a spectacular effort in the top-corner and we were almost there.
Only for a terrible decision of a penalty against us in the closing 2 minutes, which Kevin got a hand to, we wouldve collected all 3 points.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Allenton 3-0 Huddleboard
Allenton got back to league action after success in the Bedlow Cup last 16 and quarter finals the last 2 weekends and continued with their winning ways. Welcoming back Kevin from injury, he couldn’t asked for an easier afternoon, with very little to do. Allenton, without playing particularly well, scored just before half-time, an Andre corner turned in from close range by Mick.
To be honest, the second half was a stale enough affair, that was until Marc Gahan whipped a corner from the left straight into the net to make it 2-0. The third was a bit dubious, with Huddleboard protesting that the ball had crossed the line for a goal kick before it was pulled back for Alan to rifle home his 10th goal in Allenton colours.
Another good win, especially as Huddleboard had taken vital points off some league rivals of late, and now look forward to the visit of Moorfield to Dodder Valley for the first time since August 2008.
To be honest, the second half was a stale enough affair, that was until Marc Gahan whipped a corner from the left straight into the net to make it 2-0. The third was a bit dubious, with Huddleboard protesting that the ball had crossed the line for a goal kick before it was pulled back for Alan to rifle home his 10th goal in Allenton colours.
Another good win, especially as Huddleboard had taken vital points off some league rivals of late, and now look forward to the visit of Moorfield to Dodder Valley for the first time since August 2008.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
On A Semi......
2 weeks in a row Allenton faced cup games at home, and twice were victorious.
Stedfast 3rds arrived in Dodder Valley having knocked out CMH in the last 16, and Allenton had beaten a strong Francis side.
An enforced change due to injury meant Eric was between the sticks, and he proved a worthy replacement again, with some brave goalkeeping and some good saves.
Allenton broke the deadlock midway through the first half, with a ball over the top from Jon Redmond who found Thomas in space, whose shot, I mean pass, found Mick who fired home from close range.
Allenton then conceded an equaliser, a header from the centre mid who towered above 2 defenders to level the game.
Although we were sloppy in spells, we continued to be the better side, and could have extended our lead after a long throw from Billy into the box was flicked on, only for the keeper to get there just ahead of Mick and Bobby.
2nd Half and with 2 changes, Thomas and Andrew making way for Ryan and Mark Gahan, Allenton tried to break the deadlock and win the tie.
With extended pressure on the right side after some great throwing from Rob and Billy, Andre broke through 2 advancing players to feed Bobby Clarke who provided a great cross and Mark Gahan powered a header back across goal and in to the bottom corner. 2-1!!
Mick made way shortly after, with the introduction of Mark Boland to help keep things tight with 15 to go. It paid off as the midfield 3 of Barry, Billy and Andre kept Stedfasts middle pair quiet for the remainder. Allenton had chances to extend the lead, with chances falling to Ryan and Mark Gahan before the final whistle.
Not an amazing performance by any account, but another great team effort, with everyone battling to the last kick. The reward, a semi-final place and 90 minutes away from a final in May.
Stedfast 3rds arrived in Dodder Valley having knocked out CMH in the last 16, and Allenton had beaten a strong Francis side.
An enforced change due to injury meant Eric was between the sticks, and he proved a worthy replacement again, with some brave goalkeeping and some good saves.
Allenton broke the deadlock midway through the first half, with a ball over the top from Jon Redmond who found Thomas in space, whose shot, I mean pass, found Mick who fired home from close range.
Allenton then conceded an equaliser, a header from the centre mid who towered above 2 defenders to level the game.
Although we were sloppy in spells, we continued to be the better side, and could have extended our lead after a long throw from Billy into the box was flicked on, only for the keeper to get there just ahead of Mick and Bobby.
2nd Half and with 2 changes, Thomas and Andrew making way for Ryan and Mark Gahan, Allenton tried to break the deadlock and win the tie.
With extended pressure on the right side after some great throwing from Rob and Billy, Andre broke through 2 advancing players to feed Bobby Clarke who provided a great cross and Mark Gahan powered a header back across goal and in to the bottom corner. 2-1!!
Mick made way shortly after, with the introduction of Mark Boland to help keep things tight with 15 to go. It paid off as the midfield 3 of Barry, Billy and Andre kept Stedfasts middle pair quiet for the remainder. Allenton had chances to extend the lead, with chances falling to Ryan and Mark Gahan before the final whistle.
Not an amazing performance by any account, but another great team effort, with everyone battling to the last kick. The reward, a semi-final place and 90 minutes away from a final in May.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Early breakthrough.....
Allenton went into the last 16 round of the Sidney Bedlow and faced a Francis side that sported the ex-liverpool striker Dave Speedie.
Allenton welcomed the return of Paul, Jon Redmond and Bobby and the 2 defenders were straight back into action.
A bright start saw the home side take an early lead, a slide-rule pass from Ryan to Mick who cheekily rounded the keeper to put Allenton ahead.
Allenton doubled their lead within the 1st 20 minutes, great work down the left side involving Barry and culminating in Andrew placing a shot beyond the Francis keeper.
2-0 at half time and with the back 5 five working well and the midfield duo of Billy and Andre stopping Francis from advancing, Allenton looked comfortable in the 2nd half.
The ref adjudged a penalty for Francis after a push from Jonny but Kevin sprung to his right and saved well and the rebound was cleared.
Tommy used all three subs, with Bobby, Thomas and Adam coming into the fray in place of Mick, Ryan and Andrew.
A great result which puts Allenton into the quarter final and a home tie against Stedfast 3rds.
Allenton welcomed the return of Paul, Jon Redmond and Bobby and the 2 defenders were straight back into action.
A bright start saw the home side take an early lead, a slide-rule pass from Ryan to Mick who cheekily rounded the keeper to put Allenton ahead.
Allenton doubled their lead within the 1st 20 minutes, great work down the left side involving Barry and culminating in Andrew placing a shot beyond the Francis keeper.
2-0 at half time and with the back 5 five working well and the midfield duo of Billy and Andre stopping Francis from advancing, Allenton looked comfortable in the 2nd half.
The ref adjudged a penalty for Francis after a push from Jonny but Kevin sprung to his right and saved well and the rebound was cleared.
Tommy used all three subs, with Bobby, Thomas and Adam coming into the fray in place of Mick, Ryan and Andrew.
A great result which puts Allenton into the quarter final and a home tie against Stedfast 3rds.
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Allenton 1 - 2 Sportslink
Looking to cement a place at the top of the league, Allenton visited a Sportslink side who have had a decent start to 2011.
A bad day for Allenton began missing the centre half duo of Jon and Paul and attacking options Bobby and Marc, meaning options were limited.
It didnt stop us starting well, a great free-kick from Andre saw Mick rise above the centre-half and plant a header in the top corner.
Sportslink equalised after a corner fell kindly to there midfielder and the sides went in level.
The second half was a crazy 45 minutes, Sportslink scoring early after a mix-up at the back. Allenton then commanded the game for the remainder, with Sportslinks manager saying if it was a boxing match, he would have thrown in the towel. Barry had at least 3 headers cleared off the line from one of our 15-20 corners, Mick headed against the post, Billy had a couple of chances, one of which went just over. Ryan also had chances but they just didnt fall for us on the day. Sportslink nearly extended their lead on the break only for Andrew's intervention.
A bad day considering the possession and chances we had but results elsewhere mean the title is still there to be won by any one of 6 teams.
A bad day for Allenton began missing the centre half duo of Jon and Paul and attacking options Bobby and Marc, meaning options were limited.
It didnt stop us starting well, a great free-kick from Andre saw Mick rise above the centre-half and plant a header in the top corner.
Sportslink equalised after a corner fell kindly to there midfielder and the sides went in level.
The second half was a crazy 45 minutes, Sportslink scoring early after a mix-up at the back. Allenton then commanded the game for the remainder, with Sportslinks manager saying if it was a boxing match, he would have thrown in the towel. Barry had at least 3 headers cleared off the line from one of our 15-20 corners, Mick headed against the post, Billy had a couple of chances, one of which went just over. Ryan also had chances but they just didnt fall for us on the day. Sportslink nearly extended their lead on the break only for Andrew's intervention.
A bad day considering the possession and chances we had but results elsewhere mean the title is still there to be won by any one of 6 teams.
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