Wyrley entertained Stone Old Alleynians on Saturday at The Red Lion Ground and as usual it turned into a very competitive game.
Fresh from the giant killing antics against Bustleholme in mid-week Wyrley started the game positively and had a couple of early half chances that they failed to convert. Stone settled into their stride though after 15 minutes and began to put Wyrley under pressure with some direct balls up to their target man and it was through this route that they opened the scoring on 25 minutes. A long ball from the back was nodded down into midfield and collected by a Stone midfielder who moved the ball out to the wing and a first time whipped cross was then headed home by Adam Cunningham who sneaked in between Mark Simms and Adam Brough.
Wyrley responded to going behind in a positive manner and deservedly got back on level terms 5 minutes later through Chris Fowler. The referee awarded a free-kick in the centre circle which was whipped in brilliantly by Phil Bowater and Fowler rose at the far post to direct an excellent header back across goal and into the far corner of the net.
On 35 minutes Wyrley then took the lead and it was Fowler who added his second of the game. A lovely through ball from Danny Dolman set Chris Geldart away and when the Stone keeper saved bravely at Geldart’s feet the ball rebounded to Fowler and he made no mistake from 12 yards out even though Stone had got 2 men back on the goal line.
HALF TIME – WYRLEY 2-1 STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS
The Second half proved to be a scrappy affair with both teams creating very little even though Phil Bowater, Danny Dolman and Jimmy Moore continued to dominate the midfield battle for Wyrley. This forced Stone back to a direct style of play which the Wyrley defence dealt with better in the second half.
As the game drew to a close Wyrley made 3 changes introducing Hudson, Martin and Barry to try and protect the lead and even though Stone continued to pump the ball into the Wyrley area at every given opportunity Wyrley managed to see out the remaining minutes without any scares.
Wyrley now have two away games on the bounce against Penncroft at Aldersley Stadium this Saturday before travelling to play Shenstone Pathfinders on the 6th November.
Wyrley Team – Callum Humphries, Mark Simms (Neil Hudson, 70), Dan Kalinski, Adam Brough, Stuart Foster, Phil Bowater, Jimmy Moore, Danny Dolman, Chris Fowler, Asa Wright (Dan Martin, 75), Chris Geldart (Callum Barry, 80). Subs not used Matt Darby, Jamie Brookes.
Man of the Match – Dan Kalinski