THE BATTLE for mid-table superiority in the Midland Football League Premier Division between Alvechurch and visitors Shepshed Dynamo unsurprisingly ended in a goalless 0-0 stalemate on Saturday.
Manager Lee Knight made two changes to the side that completed the double over league leaders Basford United the previous weekend, with Andy Nicol starting ahead of Joel Ambula and Danny Williams coming in for James Cosgrave, who was unavailable due to a family bereavement.
The game took a while to warm up and it took until the 13th minute for either side to create an opportunity when a Shepshed corner by Duffy found Jimmy Brooks, but his shot was cleared and moments later Brooks headed wide of goal.
Alvechurch reacted and in the 17th minute Connor Deards saw his shot blocked before two minutes later Duffy crossed again, this time for Porter who shot wide from distance.
The first real chance came the way of the hosts in the 21st minute when Jordan Cullinane-Liburd’s free kick was only half cleared to Deards and his shot was cleared off the line by Chapman.
Less than a minute later Dale Edwards had a fine run on the left before shooting and forcing Mitchell into a fine save at the expense of a corner, from which Toby Checketts subsequently headed over.
The final action of a disappointing first half came two minutes before the break when Shepshed striker Stevenson crossed from the right and found Porter, whose shot beat home keeper Shaun Edwards but was cleared from danger by the home defence.
Both sides continued to try and find a breakthrough in the second period but despite their best efforts it never came.
Chapman headed another Duffy cross wide in the 53rd minute and three minutes later Cullinane-Liburd shot over the bar for the hosts.
On the hour mark Darby forced Edwards into his first notable save before Alvechurch looked as though they had found a breakthrough.
A quick breakaway saw Deards race clear down the left and, with the keeper well out of his area, Deards headed over the stopper but, with the goal empty, Deards was just unable to retain possession and convert the opportunity.
Smedley headed wide from a corner for the visitors, who remained a threat, before on 72 minutes Alvechurch substitute Ambula stole back possession at the byline before cutting the ball back for Williams, but he failed to get a shot away and the ball was subsequently cleared.
Shepshed could have pinched all three points in the final minute of normal time after Towers set Stevenson free in behind the home defenders, but the Shepshed striker shot weakly at Edwards when perhaps he should have done better.
Up next for 14th placed Alvechurch is a home clash against Causeway United on Saturday before a trip to Stourport Swifts on Tuesday.
Match report courtesy of www.pitchero.com/clubs/alvechurch.
