Alvechurch weighing up striker options after Dubidat departure - The Redditch Standard

Alvechurch weighing up striker options after Dubidat departure

Redditch Editorial 11th Jan, 2018 Updated: 11th Jan, 2018   0

ALVECHURCH manager Ian Long will have to reassess his striking options after the departure of Danny Dubidat.

Long said Dubidat’s recent performances had been disappointing, but the forward felt he has be unfairly treated, so they have parted company.

Rushall Olympic, managed by Liam McDonald who had Dubidat on his books at Redditch United, and fellow Evo-Stik Northern Premier side Stafford Rangers are understood to be leading the race to sign the striker who has netted 14 goals this season.

Meanwhile, Alvechurch have held off interest from promotion rivals Bedworth United to hold on to Yusifu Ceesay.




The Greenbacks had made an approach for the summer signing from Sporting Khalsa but, after talks with chairman Richard Thorndike, he has been convinced to stay at Lye Meadow.

Long had brought back attacker Jordan Nadat last month but will keep tabs on potential additions.


“I feel Danny hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks. We’ve got high standards that we expect all our players to adopt and his performance levels have dropped,” said Long.

“I brought in Jordan Nadat to shoulder some of the burden but I don’t think Danny enjoyed the competition. Jordan came into help ease the burden but Danny didn’t see it that way.

“He’s left the club now but we’ve left the door open.”

Goalkeeper Lewis Gwilliams is also wanted by a rival club, with Sutton Coldfield Town making an approach, and Long again hopes to persuade him to stay and fight for the No 1 shirt with Charlie Price.

“We’re hoping Lewis stays because there’s not much between him and Charlie,” said Long. “They’ve proved that in games.”

Long, however, praised the indefatigable spirit of his players as they secured a 1-0 win at Chasetown on Saturday to extend their unbeaten Evo-Stik Northern South run to ten games.

Top scorer Josh March bagged the winner in the 88th minute, slotting home after Nathan Waite had been denied, to keep Alvechurch fifth in the table, three points behind second placed Bedworth with five games in hand.

It was the second successive game in which Church have snatched the points late on, following Dave Bellis’ injury time winner against Romulus, but Long said it was reward for their hard work.

“It’s not a fluke we have scored late winners in four or five games,” said Long. “We are fit and we work hard to make sure we keep playing until the very last minute.

“It shows the character and spirit of the players. We demand high standards of the players in training and in matches and hopefully all that hard work will get its rewards come the end of the season.

“Saturday’s game was played like a cup-tie. It was real end-to-end stuff and a great advert for non-League football,” said Long. “There was plenty of goalmouth action and I think we just about deserved the three points.”

Alvechurch used a free midweek to give runouts to several players needing games when they won 4-1 in a friendly at Wednesfield on Tuesday, with goals from Waite (2), Ben Tilbury and U16s player Harvey Warmington-Christmas.

They will look to continue their charge on Saturday when they entertain Belper Town.

Mitch Botfield is ruled out through family commitments but it will be one out, one in with McCauley Manning returning after being away for the Chasetown fixture.

Church’s Birmingham Senior Cup tie at home to Rushall has been arranged for Tuesday, January 30.

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