Alumni Reserves see off Mossley Hill fightback

Ifan Jones Reporting…

A dominant first half showing from Alumni Reserves was enough to get the win despite a late fightback from Mossley Athletic Reserves.

With the league almost done and dusted with the Alumni in a comfortable third place in the Championship and Mossley Hill in mid-table, the two teams went head-to-head in the Alan Brown Trophy.

Before the game, the two teams stacked up having shared one win each against each other this season.
Mossley Hill started well and created a few half chances which they couldn’t convert forcing a couple of saves from the Alumni keeper.

Within fifteen minutes, Alumni were in front thanks to George Glover who showed great composure with a late run from midfield to meet a cross from George Patterson, and finish with a nicely placed strike with his left foot.
Soon later, the visitors’ lead was doubled thanks to Orji Tochukwu who showed immense speed to get in behind the Mossley Hill defence, having already caused a lot of problems.

Glover, who had been vital for the Alumni distributing possession well and keeping his side ticking got his second of the game.

It was Tochukwu again causing problems, holding the ball up well with his physicality and Glover arrived with a late run to make it three, scoring again with his weaker left foot.
Frustration started creeping in for Mossley Hill and they were punished just before the break.

Owen McNally was there to take advantage of a loose pass and a low-driven effort made it four and put them beyond sight.

The second half started with the same pattern as the first half, and Mossley Hill gave away a penalty within a couple of minutes.

Alumni captain, Stuart Gimblett was on hand to score with a tidy finish.

The match then settled down with not much going in the way of either side but Mossley Hill Athletic got one back with some great play on the left wing and some tricky feet.
The Alumni lost focus with the lead they had, and more gaps started to appear and two goals in quick succession for the home side gave them something to worry about.
A little bit of panic did show, and it was essential that the Alumni defence was given rest bite and forward, Tochukwu was important in biding time and getting his team up the pitch.

And it finished 5-3 to the Alumni as they keep up their positive start in the Alan Brown Trophy.