Despite a valiant effort in a fast frenetic match Alveston went down 4-1 to a very accomplished Mount Nod side.
Straight from Kick off the hosts found themselves on the back foot as Mount Nod sought to gain an immediate advantage and this seemed to set the tone for the whole match to come. Alveston’s defence showed a fine degree of resilience and organisation in the form of Jake Greaves, Jordan Pace and Alex Connor and this was complimented well by some selfless and effective back tracking from Allan Mackinnon and Joe Vose on the flanks. In midfield there was no less a combative performance as Billy Dingley, Mattie Ricketts and Roshen Foley were forced to scrap and compete for any sight of the ball as chances to play a passing game of football became minimal.
This endeavour though was duly rewarded when Dingley’s long punt over the top enabled Josh Humphries to take advantage of some defensive hesitancy to shoot across the keeper and make it 1-0. This was slightly against the run of play and it was no surprise that Mount Nod came again. There was encouragement though that Alveston would take the lead into the break when goalkeeping Isaac Downes made a fabulous diving save and also when Humphries once more found himself bearing down on goal but only this time to drive his shot into the goalkeeper’s hands.To put the ball over the top of the Mount Nod defence seemed the most profitable tactic to adopt but there was frustration time and time again as the Alveston midfield were denied the room to put the ball through for Jamie Stephens to run onto. This frustration was compounded when in the last minute of the half left the visitors were able to make their pressure tell and grab the equaliser.
Unfortunately for Alveston the disappointment of conceding so late in the first half carried through to the 2nd and it was clear that the visitors had a renewed impetus. Tough tackling Dan Malone was introduced into defence and Harry Spencer came into midfield to add some additional bite but it was Mount Nod that kept the upper hand and it was not long before two quick goals gave them an unassailable lead.
Alveston never gave up though and continued to fight and when a superb individual attempt from Ricketts saw his dipping shot from 20 yards hit the bar it was clear the points were lost. In the last minute of the game Mount Nod grabbed a 4th leaving Alveston who were not worthy of losing 4-1 reflecting on a Halloween nightmare.
