STONE Old Alleynians’ excellent run in the West Midlands One section finally came to an end this week.
The Old Boys had gone seven matches unbeaten, that was before they visited tabletopping AFC Smethwick and crashed 4-1.
Howver, Old Boys chairman Dave Mardling said: “The result is not a fair reflection of the play, as we had an equal share but the home side, who had superior height and a physical presence, were stronger upfront when it came to taking their chances.” The Old Boys had all the play in the opening five minutes before Smethwick scored with their first attack. A long ball out to the left gave Beadle a clear run on goal to beat Dan Hulme.
Stone should have equalised a few minutes later when Adam Tomkinson was presented with a similar opportunity but the home keeper did well to divert the ball just wide of a post with an outstretched leg.
The rest of the half followed a similar pattern with the visitors, through the immaculate Sam Wilson, dictating the midfield but lacking punch up front and the home side looking more dangerous with their more direct approach.
Alleynians had a scare after 20 minutes when a ball bouncing around in the box came back off a post before being finally cleared. Stone had a chance on half-time but Tomkinson's freekick from 25yards just cleared the bar.
Alleynians started the second half brightly and a good move of five or six passes resulted in a snap shot by Chris Heard being well saved by the keeper.
The agile Hulme brilliantly tipped a shot from Nickle round a post but the tall Jackson headed home the resulting corner.
Smethwick made it 3-0 when Grewal converted a penalty after 75 minutes, after Chris Johnson, who had put in some useful tackles, brought down an opposing forward.
Stone pulled a goal back five minutes later. The home keeper passed the ball out to one of his defenders, who was quickly tackled by Nick Buckley and the loose ball was rammed home by Alex Kay.
As Stone pushed for a second, Smethwick broke away un the final minute and Jackson made it 4-0.
This Saturday. Stone OA entertain Midland Combination premier leaders Walsall Wood in the Staffs FA Vase (2pm).
