Stone Old Alleynians V AFC Wulfrunians (Premier Division)

​Stone Old Alleynians were looking to continue their impressive start to the season with a win against AFC Wulfrunians yesterday. The Staffordshire side had been one of the surprise teams in the premier division so far and were sitting in 5th with eight wins and three draws from 15 matches. A key part of their success was their home form with five wins from six matches.   

AFC Wulfrunians are building something under new manager John Griffiths who had a lot of success at Wednesfield last season in MFL Division One where he guided them to a 6th place finish. The visitors had grown into the season and were going a bit under the radar prior to yesterday with two consecutive wins in the league.

The atmosphere at the Lyme Valley Stadium was friendly and welcoming with the facilities impressive for the level. There was an inviting clubhouse and despite some showers earlier in the day the pitch looked brilliant. The programme on offer was good value for money and included a history of both sides along with an update on Stone’s season so far.

It’s an accessible ground to visit by public transport. Supporters can get on the 101 bus from Stafford to Hanley before getting off near the Orange Tree stop for a 17-minute walk to the stadium. It’s well worth a visit for groundhoppers across the Staffordshire area and there’s a bit of character to the Lyme Valley Stadium to make it stand out. 

​Starting line ups

The starting line up for Stone Old Alleynians included Raajan Gill starting in goal and Matt Thomas captaining the team from centre back. The formation looked like a 4-2-3-1 with Harry Minshall leading the line up front and being supported by Sam Bowater and Oliver Griffiths down the wings.

There were two changes from their match against Brocton last weekend with Harry Minshall coming into the team and replacing Jack Tomlinson up front.

AFC Wulfrunians’ starting line up included Sam Arnold starting in goal and Jake Lloyd captaining the team from holding midfield. The formation looked like a 4-4-2 (Diamond) with a front two of Freddie Cockerell and Ashani Pryce up front being supported by Jake Webb from attacking midfield.

There were four changes from their match against Wolverhampton Casuals last weekend with Zack Kourouyianni coming into the team and playing at centre back alongside Brad Lawley. 

​First Half

Stone Old Alleynians started the match positively and almost took the lead in the opening few minutes when Oliver Griffiths found some space on the left of the box before having a shot well saved by Sam Arnold.

AFC Wulfrunians managed to see out the early pressure from Stone and were able to settle into the match thanks to the defending of Jake Lloyd in holding midfield who was doing well to break up the play. He acted as a defensive shield for the back four and was regularly closing down the space.  

​The Wulfs looked organised both on and off the ball and took the lead in the 13th minute thanks to a moment of quality. Ashanti Pryce beat a few players down the right-hand side before squaring it to Jake Webb who produced a quality finish into the top left corner to make it 1-0.    

There was an injury to Brad Lawley following the goal with Joe Prosser filling in at centre back for the rest of the match.

Stone were defending well throughout the first half with Luke Askey reading the danger well and managing to clear the ball away from the box. There’s quality on the ball with Sam Bowater looking a threat down the right-hand side and Tom Thorley linking up the play from holding midfield.

They were building some momentum in the middle of the first half and threatening from set pieces.  

Stone found the breakthrough and were given a penalty when a foul on Luke Askey resulted in a spot kick following a second ball into the box from a corner. Matt Thomas stepped up and took a composed penalty into the bottom left corner to make it 1-1 after 26 minutes.

​AFC Wulfrunians had a good chance to retake the lead when Jay Holdcroft had a free kick from the edge of the box go over the bar. Ashanti Pryce also looked a threat for the visitors and was making things happen in the final third.  

Stone stepped up to the pressure from AFC Wulfrunians well in the closing stages of the first half with Matt Thomas putting in some good blocks and Josh Goodwin doing well to break up the play from holding midfield.

It was an even first half with both teams offering a threat and looking well organised defensively.       

Second Half

The visitors started the second half brightly and managed to take the lead when a good cross into the box found Curtis Cocking at the back post who headed into the bottom right corner to make it 2-1.

The chances in front of goal were more limited in the second half with Stone having more of the ball and looking to break down a resolute AFC Wulfrunians defence. The visitors were looking to sit back and catch Stone out on the break thanks to the pace of Ashanti Pryce and Freddie Cockerell.

Zack Kourouyianni was reading the game well at centre back and managed to clear the danger for AFC Wulfrunians. He impressed for Tividale last season and looks a good signing by the visitors.  

Joe Prosser also filled in admirably following the injury to Brad Lawley and was managing to win the ball back throughout the second half.

Stone had some late chances to find an equaliser when Josh Sedgley got into a promising position on the edge of the box before firing wide of the left-hand post.

AFC Wulfrunians almost scored a few minutes later when a counterattack saw substitute Timmy Oyanda bend a curling shot over the right-hand post in the 79th minute.

The visitors were reduced to ten men in the closing stages of the second half when Craig Tuckley was sent off for kicking the ball away with ten minutes to go.

Stone were applying the pressure and committing players forward in search of the equaliser throughout the final few minutes and deep into stoppage time. The best chance fell to Josh Goodwin who was free in the box following a good ball from Harry Minshall. His shot was instinctively saved by Sam Arnold who managed to push it away from goal.

Not long after the referee blew for the full-time whistle with AFC Wulfrunians getting a momentum building win.

Full Time

Stone played well yesterday and were close to getting something from this match. The only thing missing was that final ball into the box to trouble the AFC Wulfrunians defence, but the effort was there, and they showed character to keep going in the second half.

They looked well organised defensively with both Luke Askey and Matt Thomas impressing at centre back and giving Stone a foothold in the match. There’s also an attacking threat thanks to Sam Bowater and substitute Kacper Mikulski on the wings. 

Their upcoming league fixtures include Atherstone Town (Home) on the 30th of November before playing Studley (Away) and Uttoxeter (Home) at the start of December.

AFC Wulfrunians were impressive in this match and took the game to Stone Old Alleynians. They stepped up well to the pressure from Stone with Jake Lloyd having a brilliant game from holding midfield and helping to protect the back four. Zack Kourouyianni also played well at centre back and looks a good addition to the squad.

Their upcoming league fixtures include 1874 Northwich (Away), Uttoxeter Town (Home) and OJM Black Country (Away).         

FT score: Stone Old Alleynians 1-2 AFC Wulfrunians

Man of the match: Jake Lloyd (AFC Wulfrunians)

Attendance: 65

Match report written by Rhys Beardmore for the Midland Football League