Cheshire League Division Two:
Whitchurch Alport 2-2 Tarporley Vics
A PENALTY earned Alport a deserved point against the league leaders that keeps the Yockings Park revival show on the road.
With just seconds remaining and Vics leading 2-1, a Danny Farrell shot clearly hit Nick Abson square on the shoulder but to everyone’s amazement referee Peter Holloway pointed straight to the penalty spot then sent the luckless Abson off for a mixture of deliberate handball and some overly vociferous declarations of innocence.
Amid furious but understandable protests from the visitors, Lee Stephens kept his cool and drilled the ball hard and low past keeper Callum Reckless.
Although controversial, it was no more than Whitchurch deserved from a game they could so easily have won but for some wayward finishing and the charmed life of the Tarporley woodwork.
Vics came to Whitchurch with eight wins from ten games so far this season and they looked to be on their way to their ninth when they went ahead after just five minutes when Alex Rowntree burst into the home box only to be hauled down by a clumsy challenge from Darryl Thornton.
Henry Buckley took the spot kick, planting it high to Wes Newton’s right.
Whitchurch took the early setback in their stride and went straight on the attack, Matt Baldwin heading over from John Farrell’s cross then Reckless parried a Farrell shot to safety.
Vics had their moments too, Buckley’s cross was met by Alex Moore who couldn’t get purchase on his header but on 35 minutes Alport levelled when Farrell took the ball to the byline and sent in a low cross which Rhys Nevitt steered beyond the reach of Reckless.
In a pulsating second half, Vics drew first blood when Moore headed Dan Haralambous’ cross past Newton who almost got his hand to the ball but Alport rallied and carved out a string of chances as they battled to get back in the game.
The best opportunity fell to John Farrell who headed over from Stephens’ crossfield ball then Stephens himself was aggrieved not to have won a penalty after he was fouled by Rowntree.
Substitute Dan Farrell then hammered a rising drive against the crossbar in the 70th minute and moments later was denied by the post after taking off on strong run through a static Vics defence that gave the Whitchurch man far too much room.
Ryan Willis then did enough to put Vics’ substitute Richie Moss off his stride as he broke clear, the striker’s tame shot being easily held by Newton and with three minutes left the visitors were reduced to ten men after Rowntree saw red for dissent.
Then came that last gasp ‘penalty’ which was rough justice on Vics but a lucky break for Alport who snatched a point that their effort and application over 90 minutes more than merited.
- Alport are now unbeaten in three matches and will look to take their good form into Saturday’s visit to high flying Lostock Gralam (2.15pm). Striker Jack Oakden - recently signed from Malpas - should come into contention for this game following the expiry of his seven day transfer notice period..