After dominating the play for large portions of the game, James eventually overcame Alcuin with two strikes late in the second half from Dan Hersnick and Josh Brownlow.
The first half was a bit of a scrappy affair. Poor defending from both sides permitted several opportunities on goal, all of which were squandered.
After 20 minutes, James lost a vital presence in centre midfield when Captain Richard Baxter went off with an injured knee.
The deadlock was broken by Will Taylor of Alcuin who struck the ball into an empty net after Toby Owen’s goal-kick went straight into his path.
Despite the goal, Alcuin striker Josh Brownlow acted rashly when he received a yellow card from the referee for swearing at him.
Within the first few minutes of the second half Ben Cooke went down after what looked like a push in the box. Despite outraged protestations from Alcuin, a penalty was awarded. However, J.D. Davies struck his effort straight at Boyd. Ben Cooke then hit the post from the rebound before Boyd saved a third attempt from Brownlow.
Despite superb movement and interplay from Dan Haresnape and J.D. Davies in the next few minutes, it was Alcuin who had chances to extend their lead. Firstly, Allen headed wide from a free-kick and then, minutes later he almost managed to play in Taylor for a one-on-one with the keeper.
James then had another opportunity to equalise. An Angus O’Brien throw-in was knocked down by Davies to Fisher. Yet, he sliced his effort on the turn past the post.
Alcuin then had another golden opportunity to go 2-0 up but Taylor blazed his effort high and wide after being played in by Basim Al-Ahmadi.
A few minutes later, Taylor was made to rue his miss. Hersnick played a one-two with Clarke before firing the ball past a helpless Boyd into the top left corner from the edge of the box.
Soon, it was 2-1 James, O’Brien crossing to Brownlow whose effort squirmed into the corner after Boyd could only parry.
Then, it could have been 3-1 but a powerful Simon Kreienbaum was saved by Boyd.
Alcuin had an opportunity to equalise before the final whistle. Taylor passed to Al-Ahmadi but his effort from the edge of the box did not test Owen.
James Captain Richard Baxter believed his side played poorly in the first half but thought his side deserved to win after battling through in the second period. Alcuin Captain Brad Wood described the result as “gutting” and conversely thought that his side did not deserve to lose. Neither side was particularly clinical in front of goal but James probably deserved to win on the balance of play.
MOTM: J.D. Davies.
Haresnape, not Hersnick.