ALVECHURCH have been urged to turn their title dream into a reality on Saturday – so they can then focus on a historic treble.
The table-topping Churchmen know victory at second placed Coleshill Town will secure the Midland League Premier Division crown, although with their superior goal difference a point would be all but good enough.
Alvechurch booked their place in the final of the Polymac Packaging League Cup in midweek when two goals from Jamie Ashmore sealed a 2-0 extra-time win at Highgate United and 2-1 on aggregate to set up a showpiece final at Walsall’s Banks’s Stadium against St Andrews on Monday, May 15.
Manager Ian Long admitted he has felt the anticipation and excitement as the finishing line has come into sight and, having been pipped for the title by Hereford last season, he wants to get the job done as soon as possible.
“The approach won’t change – we will go out and look to win the game,” said Long. “But we know what’s at stake. If we win, it’s job done.
“I’ve had a few too many sleepless nights in recent weeks. I’ve been a bit tetchy and I’ve probably shouted at the players a little too much. I’ve apologised to them but most of them have been with me for a while so they know what I’m like. I’m passionate and I want to win.
“On Saturday, I will try to be relaxed.”
On Monday (3pm), Church meet Boldmere St Michaels at Lye Meadow.
There has been plenty of drama in the past week.
Alvechurch had to settle for a 2-2 draw on Saturday against visitors Shepshed Dynamo, but Coleshill slipped to a 4-3 home defeat against Coventry Sphinx.
Dave Bellis fired Church ahead from Tom Turton’s cross on 11 minutes but Shepshed led 2-1 after 33 minutes through Matt Langham and Michael Reeve. However, Andy Parsons levelled before half time with a firm header from Turton’s corner.
On Tuesday, Church headed into their League Cup semi-final second leg at Highgate with a one-goal deficit. Alvechurch had lost all five previous League Cup semi-final matches but they levelled the tie overall when Ashmore slotted home a penalty after Jack Cresswell had been flattened by James Loney, who was sent off for a second booking.
Highgate battled but the decider came in the 108th minute when Ashmore cut inside from the right and slotted home past keeper Brendon Bunn.
“Credit to Highgate, they did really well, even with ten men,” said Long. “We played some really good stuff early on but when they went down to ten men instead of driving home our advantage we came off the gas. Paul Evans needed to pull off a great save to deny Luke Rodgers to keep us in it.
“But we’re through. That’s a cup final we put in the bank and look forward to at the end of the season. The lads deserve that for all the hard work they’ve put in.”
Meanwhile, Alvechurch will face old rivals Sporting Khalsa in the semi-finals of the JW Hunt Cup on a date to be arranged after Khalsa defeated Lichfield City 3-0 on Wednesday.
