DESPITE a narrow defeat at the semi-final stage of the County Cup – for a third successive year – the bread and butter of First Division football brought three valuable points for Whitchurch Alport.

Luke Goddard and Carl Everall’s men remain in the hunt for automatic promotion with just 11 games left. The 2-1 win over Atherton LR at Yockings saw Alport pushed all the way by the strugglers and it made for a nervy ending to the match. 

But with sides around them dropping precious points, Everall was quick to admit a win was very much needed.

“We deserved that,” he said. 

“We needed to get a result and we tried to play in a style we believe in, and I think if you look back at both goals you’ll see that in terms of quality. 

“We were tested at the end but got the result – and that’s really pleasing for both me and Luke. 

“We missed a few chances in the first half and at half-time we told the lads to try to be patient, because we knew we’d create more chances. 

“We knew we had the quality on the pitch and on the bench to give us what we needed to get a result. 

“The changes were important and they came at the right time – and you have to say  they were effective.”

Carl’s twin brother Simon helped himself to a goal, an assist and a man-of-the-match award from the visitors, and Carl was pleased  his sibling’s mini-goal drought was over.

“Yeah, I was round at Si’s house last night and he struggled to finish his tea to be honest,” joked the co-gaffer.

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