STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS 0, POWICK 0

POWICK made their debut in the Sports Italia West Midland League Divison Two on Saturday and collected their first point in a 0-0 draw.

They made a 150-mile round trip to play their fixture away to Stone, and on arrival were met by some wonderful facilities and a playing surface to match.

Powick started the game brightly, with Mark Brookes and Lee Henderson dominating in midfield, playing along side each other for the first time. Powick were able to play most of the first half on the attack and Simon Rea looked to have opened the scoring for Powick on 25 minutes. He held off the Stone defender and slot the ball calmly passed the keeper, but to Powick's amazement a free-kick was awarded to Stone for a foul on the defender.

Powick's Stu Harvey then shot narrowly wide of the post from 25 yards with the Stone keeper relieved to see the ball go wide and five minutes later the same player headed powerfully at goal from a corner only to see the ball go just over the crossbar.

Stone came back into the game towards the end of the first half, but through good defending from Powick's Hodges, White, Downes and Winterbottom, Stone found themselves offside on several occasions.

Stone's best chance came just before half-time when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. The ball looked to be going in the top right corner only for Powick's keeper Mark Davies to tip it onto the crossbar and see it cleared.

The second-half was much more even with few chances. Kev Downes heading just wide from a corner for Powick and Mark Davies making a double save from Stone, bravely diving at the forward's feet to claim the ball.

Powick brought on sub Luan Gashie and he nearly opened the scoring straight away, cutting in from the right he fired at goal only for Stone's keeper to push the ball away. Stone finished the game strong and in the last 10 minutes they pushed for the winner. Powick held on and in injury time could have won it when Mark Brookes shot from just outside the box and it looked to be going in the top corner only for Stone's keeper to get a hand to it and tip it over the bar.

Although Powick were disappointed not to win, the performance gives them something to build on for the next game and hopefully the season ahead.

Tomorrow (Saturday), Powick play their first home game and welcome Brereton Town FC to Victoria Park (3.00) and on Bank Holiday Monday they visit Tenbury United FC (3.00).