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Alveston beat Firefighters 2-0 at home to move through the 2nd round of the KO Cup. In a progressively competitive but scruffy affair the visitors set their stall out with a deep defensive but resolute line that Alveston found difficult to penetrate.
In the 1st half goal keeper Isaac Downes was never troubled and shielded by the effective defensive partnership of Jake Greaves and Jordan Pace Alveston were afforded the luxury of being able to concentrate on going forward. However the midfield the trio of Billy Dingley, Mattie Ricketts and Roshen Foley were more often crowded out and struggled to find Alex Connor and Joe Vose waiting out on the wings. As the game began to get bogged down Alveston were beginning to reflect on just one long range shot from Mattie Ricketts and a toe over the bar from Jamie Stephens , but two goals in the space of 5 mins looked set to change the complexion of the game.
First from the right hand wing Alveston looked to have been frustrated once more as the tireless work of Ricketts, Stephens and Alan Mackinnon as once again stifled by sheer defensive numbers. However when the ball fell conveniently to Vose he was able to shoot hard and low from 12 yards across the keeper to see his shot nestle in the bottom corner of the net. Within 4 mins Alveston doubled their lead when Harry Spencer was able to chase down a ball over the top from Dingley then cut into the penalty area and curl his shot beyond the keeper’s outstretched hand into the corner. It was hoped by the home supporters that this would light the touch paper for more goals but to Firefighters’ credit they maintained their focus and saw the half out.
The flavour of the 2nd half was much the same as the first. Dan Malone was introduced into defence and his competitive tackling approach underlined Alveston's tight defensive line . Once more the home team pressed hard trying to create a clear cut chance in front of goal but the weight of numbers and last ditched clearances kept the home team at bay. Against all this Harry Coleman was still able to make some room for himself on the edge of the penalty area but then shot just wide. Minutes later Josh Humphries was able to seize upon a pass by Connor but the keeper was alert enough to palm his shot on to the post . Inevitably the game moved towards a competitive stalemate and Alveston's frustration in search of an elusive 3rd goal was summed up in the closing minutes when Humphries was just unable to connect when given a clear site of goal.. This was of no matter though as Alveston through hard endeavour and two early goals had made it through to the next round.
