Alvechurch boss wary of complacency - The Redditch Standard

Alvechurch boss wary of complacency

Redditch Editorial 3rd Nov, 2016   0

IAN LONG has told Alvechurch to forget about the league table when they head to Brocton on Saturday.

The Churchmen moved three points clear at the top of the Midland League Premier Division with Saturday’s last-gasp 1-0 home win against nine-man Coventry United in which new signing Jamie Willets netted an injury-time winner.

At the opposite end of the table lie Brocton, who have only won twice in 12 league games.

However, Church manager Long says his side will need to be on their top form at Silkmore Lane, knowing any slip-up will be hugely damaging to their title hopes.




Long feels Alvechurch are in a false position in top spot, with Westfields having six games in hand and Lye Town, Coleshill Town, Sporting Khalsa and Coventry United all have matches in hand to leapfrog Church.

“We can’t afford any slip-ups because all the teams around us have games in hand,” said Long. “Westfields could go 13 points clear if they win their games in hand and they are the clear favourites.


“I expect Brocton will be a tough test. Last season, we needed two goals in injury time from Karl Edwards to win so it’s a tricky place to go.

“Although they are bottom of the table they will have got a big confidence boost after winning 5-2 in the League Cup in midweek at Nuneaton Griff.

“There are no easy games in the league this year – bottom can beat top.”

Long praised the performance of newcomer Willets, who scored the vital goal against Coventry at Lye Meadow three minutes into stoppage time.

Centre half Willets joined from Hereford after Alvechurch lost injured Mark Smith and had Orrin Pendley missing through work commitments and Long was delighted with his part in a clean sheet as well as the winner.

“It was nerveracking stuff but we got there eventually,” he added.

Pendley will be available on Saturday while Smith faces a fitness check on a hamstring injury.

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