Stroud & District Four

Alkerton Rangers........................... 1

Tuffley Rovers 4ths.........................2

ALKERTON’S season has yet to ignite.

In a frustrating game against a stubborn Tuffley outfit the green-and-whites could not convert their superior possession into enough credible chances.

The scoreboard was called into action on 23 minutes when a right-wing cross was deflected into the far corner with Alkerton custodian Dave Potter beaten all ends up.

Alkerton’s afternoon got worse when in the first minute of the second half the unfortunate Liam Matthews turned the ball into his own net.

Undaunted, the Snakey Lane eleven sought to get a foothold back in the game with some excellent interplay.

Rich Phillips orchestrated matters from the back and with Lewis Vanstone and Kirk Wilkinson providing options up top, Turner and Vaughan Wilkinson and, before his departure through injury, Chris Pearce linked well in the midfield.

One neat passage of play saw Kirk Wilkinson curl a shot just wide.

It was all virtually Alkerton but crucially their efforts came to nothing.

Rich Baker has a fine opportunity but as the ball dropped over his shoulder he could not quite guide it home.

In the 88th minute Alkerton were rewarded when Vaughan Wilkinson was set up by his brother 20 meters out and his powerful low gave the Tuffley stopper no chance as it nestled in the bottom corner.

However, it was too little too late.