Whitchurch Alport, like every other team involved in football, paid their respect to the sad passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday by cancelling their weekend fixture at Alfreton Town. The FA allowed games to recommence the week beginning the 12th and Alport welcomed AFC Wulfrunians to the KMJ Mortgages Stadium on Monday evening. The Reds’ unbeaten start to the Midlands Premier League was well and truly ended when the visitors romped to a 5–1 victory in front of 158 spectators.

The game was pretty much settled by half-time with Wulfrunians three goals to the good and it was fair to say they had done a number on Whitchurch. Full of energy with excellent defending as well as a potent attacking threat, it was easy to see why they were occupying second place in the division. Fair play to Alport they continued to play from the back and some of their crossfield passing was a joy to watch, but in the final third there was no one there to apply the finishing touch. A nasty looking injury to Ash Rawlins right on half-time saw the goalkeeper lying prostrate in the back of his net leading to midfielder, Dan Skelton, taking the gloves for the second 45.

Striker Jack Tomlinson – brought in from Leek Town – didn’t work the 6-yard box enough and with top scorer Alex Hughes missing with a back injury, Hughes came on as a substitute with Tomlinson going to the sidelines. It was no surprise then to see Hughes score a consolation with the visitors 4 up. It was equally unsurprising to see Wulfrunians grab a fifth 60 seconds later. It was one of those nights at Yockings under the lights and the away side were full value for their victory.

Alport will lick their wounds and go again this Saturday with another tough looking trip to Worcester.