WHITCHURCH Alport missed a chance to stretch their lead at the top of the Hallmark Security First Division after being held to a 0-0 draw at home to Cheadle Town on Saturday. 

In plunging temperatures, more than 200 brave souls made their way up Black Park Road to watch the team, in conditions that often made it hard to see the action. 

Six months have now passed since Luke Goddard and Carl Everall were appointed  joint managers at Yockings and Goddard spoke for them both when he said how pleased they’ve been with the progression made at the club so far – on and off the pitch.

 “It’s been quite a journey so far hasn’t it?” he said. “We’re getting great crowds, we’re top of the league and people are talking about us far and wide. 

“We’ve got a decent squad of players and we haven’t had to make too many changes as the season has gone on. 

“We’ve got pretty much the same nucleus of players that we started with and have boosted the side with Danny (Read) and Louis (James), both stellar signings. 

“We’ve had Jonah (Steve Jones) on loan from Nantwich Town and the likelihood is we’ll need to freshen things up as the season progresses. 

“We play an attractive style of football and that’s been hampered recently with our home ground really tricky – but that’s something we’ll need to deal with. 

“We haven’t played away since Silsden and the lads seem to be a bit more relaxed when they play away from home. 

“Off the pitch I truly believe we are creating an Alport brand. Today we sold loads of scarves and hats and it’s great to see the fans wearing them. 

“They’ve provided great support for us this season and they are vital to us in the second half of the campaign.”

Alport will hope the weather is kind to them this Saturday as a coach has been booked for the trip to Holker. 

The Old Boys beat Alport 3-0 in the league on the second Saturday of the season, and those are the only points the Reds have dropped in 10 away matches this season! 

Goddard expects a tough Reusch League Cup quarter-final tie: “I think it will be the same as last time, to be honest,” said the Reds supremo. 

“But we owe them one and we’re a better side now, so when you get to a cup quarter-final – and especially as you’re having to travel a long way to contest it – you have to give it a really good shot because you’re close to silverware. 

“We wasted that opportunity in the Ethelston Cup and we don’t want to do the same at Holker. 

“They beat a good Litherland side 1-0 on Saturday so they’ve got something about them and we’ll need to be at our best up there to get to the semis.”

n The club held a successful race night in the clubhouse after Saturday’s game. The event was well supported and the club would like to thank everyone who attended.

*For a full Alport round-up, see this week's Whitchurch Herald.