ALVECHURCH had to settle for a share of the spoils with Westfields in their Midland Football League Premier Division encounter which ended 1-1 at Lye Meadow on Tuesday.
The hosts struggled to get going early on against their stern opponents, who enjoyed plenty of possession in the early stages but were unable to capitalise on this.
The first attempt at goal came on seven minutes when a driven, angled shot from just outside the box from Cuss tested Shaun Edwards in the home goal before the danger was eventually cleared.
Four minutes later a superb block by James Cosgrave prevented Palmer from scoring the opener from close range, before Alvechurch came close themselves through Andy Nicol, who beat the offside trap but shot over under heavy pressure.
A better chance perhaps fell to Dale Edwards on 22 minutes when he tested Rivers in the Westfields goal, but the ball was eventually cleared to safety.
On the half-hour mark the visitors ramped up the pressure with a series of corners and Edwards produced a superb one-handed reaction save to deny Jones low down at the foot of his right-hand post.
At the other end Dimitri Dunkley came close to scoring for the hosts with a fierce drive which sailed narrowly over the bar.
Two goals in the second half brightened up the encounter as Alvechurch enjoyed the better of possession and it was the hosts who got their noses in front on the hour mark.
A long ball into the box was won by Gareth Evans and his nod down fell into the path of Nicol, who lashed the ball home from just inside the box.
It was no more than Alvechurch’s second half display deserved but their lead lasted just ten minutes.
Somewhat against the run of play a poor clearance from the home defence saw substitute Sirrell capitalise and his first-time shot from 20 yards beat Edwards at his right-hand post.
There was late drama when Westfields thought they had stolen all three points in stoppage time when a direct free kick was driven home from 25 yards, but the ‘goal’ was ruled out because of an offside infringement.
In truth a winner for the visitors would have been harsh given the second half performance of Lee Knight’s side and on reflection a share of the points was perhaps the right outcome.
Alvechurch, whose home game against Heath Hayes on Saturday fell victim to a frozen pitch, were last night (Thursday) due to host Malvern Town in their Worcestershire Senior Urn semi-final, from which the winners will progress to face Midland Football League Division One leaders Highgate United in the final.
Knight’s mid-table side then travel to face Continental Star in the league on Wednesday.
Match report compiled courtesy of www.pitchero.com/clubs/alvechurch.
