Whitchurch gear up of FA Vase tie with battling home point

After almost a month with no game action due to the poor recent weather, Whitchurch Alport hosted Wulfrunians after volunteers worked miracles to get the pitch into a playable state.

On the pitch, the rustiness and lack of match fitness was very much evident in the Alport play throughout the game as they struggled against a Wulfrunians dogged defence and a razor sharp attack.

Timothy Odhiambo Deya Oyanda fired the visitors ahead after 25 minutes which sparked the hosts into life and equalised just before half time with Lewis Bloor grabbing his ninth goal of the season from close range.

Action from Whitchurch Alport's clash with Wulfrunians. (Image: Liam Pritchard Photography.)

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On loan Shrewsbury Town academy striker Luca Whitney put the Reds into the lead early in the second-half after muscling past the defenders to slot the ball past the visitors keeper.

However, the Reds could not hold out for the win as the visitors equalised on 70 minutes with Freddie Cockerell netting.

Action from Whitchurch Alport's clash with Wulfrunians. (Image: Liam Pritchard Photography.) Either side could have won the game late on but both had to settle for a point.

Manager Adam Shillcock had one eye on this weekends upcoming last 32 tie in the FA Vase away at Clay Cross Town and insisted getting minutes under the belt was the most important aspect of the weekend following a month spent largely kicking their heels.

He said: “It was important for the lads to get game time.

“Momentum is important and finding rhythm is key, we just need to get that back. We looked leggy and lacked a bit of fitness, but that happens when you don’t play matches.”

Action from Whitchurch Alport's clash with Wulfrunians. (Image: Liam Pritchard Photography.) Looking ahead to Saturday he said: “The opposition are in a similar place to us with games being called off so it’ll be competitive.

“They’ll pose a threat up front so we have to do our bit to put things in place this week in training to give us the best chance possible to progress.”

Honours ended even as Ellesmere Rangers and derby rivals Whitchurch Alport 1946 shared the spoils in a thrilling 4-4 draw in the Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier League on Saturday.

Asa Dean netted twice for the Swans while Kieran Barry and Louie Millington completed the scoring while the Reds ensured a point with goals from Macauley Clifton, Josh Madeley, Chris Owen and Sam Willett.

Ellesmere Rangers have strengthened as manager Joe Byers bids to steer the club up the Salop Leisure Premier League rankings.

The Beech Grove club has welcomed the capture of teenager Lewis Johnston from rivals Ercall Evolution with the Rangers boss hopeful of making further additions this month.

Lewis Johnston has signed for Ellesmere Rangers. (Image: Public.) Byers said: “Lewis has been training with us recently and we have been really impressed.

“He already has bags of quality and is only 17 years old so there is a lot of potential there. He is keen to develop and I am looking forward to working with him.”

Meanwhile Logan Mansell starred as Prees United eased to a 7-0 derby win at Wem Town Colts in division one.

Mansell struck twice and was joined on the scoresheet by Corey Mansell, Andrew Brookfield, Liam Hanson and Daniel Parker while an own goal completed the drubbing.

This Sunday sees the first round of the Enterprise Cup take centre stage as Ellesmere United host Keys United.