WHITCHURCH Alport returned to the top of the table ahead of their mouth-watering Boxing Day clash at home to Shropshire rivals FC Oswestry Town. 

The Reds were simply too strong for St Helens Town who had no answer to the firepower of the Yockings Park side who have 18 games of the season remaining. 

Alport cantered to a 3-0 win, their 16th of the campaign to date, and the team were applauded off the field by 207 spectators – many of whom joined in the club’s Christmas celebrations at the White Bear in town after the game.

Oswestry have been leaking goals of late with two heavy defeats back-to-back hardly the best preparations to take into the game at Yockings. 

Michael Barton has rejuvenated Town since his appointment just over a month ago. 

But those two defeats against Prestwich Heys and at home to title-chasing Charnock Richard on Saturday have derailed Town’s hopes of staying in the play-off picture. 

The reverse fixture at Park Hall back in August saw Alport triumph 3-0 in front of 161 spectators but a much larger crowd is expected at Yockings on Monday. 

The Reds have been attracting an average of 188 through the turnstiles this season and with Boxing Day always a traditional day in terms of pulling higher numbers than usual through the gates, officials at the club are confident  a crowd of 300 isn’t beyond the realms of possibility.

Joint manager Luke Goddard was cautious in his approach to the first of three vital league games before the year ends as we caught up for a spot of lunch on Saturday. 

“If we can get six points from the next nine on offer, I believe that gives us every chance to kick on in the new year because we will have played all the other title contenders twice. 

“There’s no reason why we can’t go on a run of unbeaten games and make this season one to remember for everyone connected with the club.”

The 3-0 win meant  everyone could enjoy their evening in town and the celebrations went long into the night. 

Goddard was delighted to see the club unite once more: “It was a brilliant end to a special day,” he said.

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