Whitchurch Alport are edged out by Sam Dodds

Sam Dodd’s goal midway through the first half was enough to settle a scrappy affair in the second-placed hosts’ favour, with the reverse leaving Alport fourth in the table.

Dodd – briefly on loan at Yockings last term – found himself unmarked and was able to head past Danny Read after Luke Holden toe bunged the ball forward to catch the Alport defence flat-footed.

This was a game that will quickly be forgotten by those that watched it with both teams failing to live up to their title favourites tag.

Remy might have got the all-important goal but in truth Read and his opposite number Ben Morrow were hardly overworked.

The Whitchurch shot-stopper did make a fine save to deny Matt Hamilton just 60 seconds after Dodd had struck for the Merseysiders. And even then it took Carl Everall – making his first appearance for the club since moving to Crewe Alexandra – to get round to head the ball from virtually underneath his own crossbar.

And in first-half stoppage time, Everall came around the back to head wide when an equaliser beckoned.

After the interval, Morrow came to Remy’s rescue twice inside 60 seconds. Si Everall forced the keeper into a fine stop and from the resultant corner, a training ground routine almost saw Ben Mills profit, only for Morrow to stick out a leg and boot to clear.

Remy’s top scorer, Lennon Whewell, broke on the counter and was not very far away from adding to the host’s tally and Read made a great stop to deny Steve Ferrigan.

With the game in the balance the away side appealed in vain for a penalty when a looping cross from Chris Jackson seemed to hang in the air forever. Mills climbed high forcing the keeper to drop the ball and with Mills favourite to convert the loose ball, Morrow appeared to hold off the striker.

Remyca could have added to their tally deep into added on time but 2-0 would have flattered them. On this evidence, both sides have a bit to do to justify that tag of favourites.