Long eyes a reshuffle in bid to get Church firing - The Redditch Standard

Long eyes a reshuffle in bid to get Church firing

Redditch Editorial 29th Sep, 2016 Updated: 18th Oct, 2016   0

IAN Long warned it could be time for change to revamp his squad and help kick-start Alvechurch’s season.

The Churchmen have this week bid farewell to James Spray and Charlie Price to follow the recent exit of Luke Paskin and Michael McGrath.

Former Redditch and Bedworth full-back or wing-back Jamie Ashmore has moved to Lye Meadow from Sutton Coldfield Town and manager Long is hoping to complete a move for a midfielder within the next week.

Alvechurch are still searching for a winning formula after an inconsistent start to the Midland League Premier Division season and Long stressed they need to rebuild their confidence and spirit, even if that means shuffling the squad.




“You learn more about people when you are losing,” he said. “It’s about character and standing together.

“I only want players that are committed to the cause and that’s the only way to go forward.”


After defender Paskin left by mutual consent last week, front-runner Spray has returned to Lye Town while goalkeeper Price has become the fifth ex-Church player to join league rivals Walsall Wood.

“They’ve both missed games through injury and they wanted to get regular games,” added Long.

The manager is delighted to add Ashmore, who made his debut in Tuesday’s 6-1 Worcestershire Senior Urn win at Studley which booked a last eight spot. He is set for his league bow in the trip to Quorn on Saturday.

“Jamie has got decent quality – I think he will be a good addition,” added Long.

Although Long felt a point against visitors Sporting Khalsa on Saturday – despite leading 2-0 after Josh March netted twice – was a fair result, the 2-2 draw left the Churchmen ten points behind leaders Westfields’ perfect start, having played three games more.

However, the boss hopes the emphatic win at Studley in which Andy Nicol led the way with four goals and Connor Deards and Jack Cresswell also scored, will provide a timely lift. Nicol, having turned down a move to the Bees, seized his chance to stake a claim for a regular role.

“Andy could have had eight,” smiled Long. “He is a goalscorer, no doubt about that, but he is still adjusting. Having said that, he took his chances and it would be hard for me to leave him out after that.”

Church will settle for one goal on Saturday as they bid to defeat Quorn for the first time in the Midland League/Alliance. They have failed to beat the Leicestershire side in 14 attempts, including two draws last season when Alvechurch missed penalties in both fixtures.

Meanwhile, U18s captain Aidan Doherty made his debut against Studley and also proved he deserved his chance.

Doherty, Brad Carter, Cal Baker, Danny Moy and Ethan Sephton have all been called up to Birmingham County FA’s youth squad as reward for their positive start to the season.

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