Alsager stay joint top (From Warrington Guardian)

Alsager stay joint top

ALSAGER Town ground out a 3-0 home victory on Saturday over Abbey Hey to keep them level at the top.

Alsager scored twice early on before centre forward Wayne Brotherton wrapped up the three points with a third goal in the last minute.

The match was watched by a crowd of 247, who were hard pressed to find much to keep them entertained in a dull second half.

However Alsager were worthy winners, and stay level on points with league leaders Skelmersale, who won 5-1.

Skelmersdale are top because of a far superior goal difference, and the other challenge for the title could come from Cammell Laird.

They are 14 points off the top, but have five games in hand on Alsager and eight on the leaders.

Alsager took the lead on four minutes when a low cross from Brotherton was met at the far post by Richard Mitchell to slot the ball home.

They should have increased their lead two minutes later when Ian Verow floated a free kick to the far post.

Brotherton was unmarked, but put his header over the bar.

Alsager wasted two more free kicks, and a volley from Brotherton flew wide.

Alsager kept pushing forward, and it paid off on 29 minutes when Verow lobbed the ball over the Abbey defence.

Glynne Blackhurst latched onto the ball and chipped it over the advancing keeper.

Abbey had an excellent chance to pull a goal back in a one on one with the Alsager keeper.

The Abbey played lifted the ball over the keeper as he came out, but it just went wide.

Brotherton scored his 17th goal of the season when he raced into the box to fire home from close range an inch perfect ball by Peter Heler.

Alsager travel tomorrow to third-placed Salford City.