IAN LONG predicts plenty of ‘twists and turns’ in the Midland League Premier Division title race – and he hopes the weather could tip the balance in Alvechurch’s favour.
Table-toppers Alvechurch have played two thirds of the season and, while their title rivals all have games in hand, manager Long hopes having the points on the board could give the Lye Meadow squad an advantage.
Tuesday’s 4-1 win at Tividale – a 14th win in the last 15 league matches – meant Alvechurch have a seven-point gap at the top but Westfields and Lye Town have the games in hand to move three and two points ahead respectively.
With winter still to bite, Long admits a flurry of postponements would only help Alvechurch’s cause.
“It’s quite remarkable that we’ve played 28 games at the start of January and we’ve got 14 games left,” said Long. “Maybe frost and snow would help us if games are called off because we have got the points in the bag.
“I still think any one of five teams could win the league. It’s that tight and it could be a very exciting end to the season.
“Other teams are chasing but they could face a backlog. It’s a different situation for us because we were the team playing catch-up last season with Hereford and when we won the title with Tividale we were also playing catch-up.
“There’s so much football still to play and I’m sure there will be more twists and turns. All we can do is to concentrate on our own games. It’s a cliché but we can only take one game at a time.”
Long says strength in depth will be key, but he also says it will be a balancing act between consistency in selection and keeping players fit and raring to go.
Alvechurch made four changes in midweek at Tividale, but Long suggested the performance will need to be better for tomorrow’s trip to Heanor Town.
Josh March netted twice in midweek, with Jamie Willets and the recalled Babucar Souane also on target after the sides had gone in 1-1 at half time after a stuttering first half show from the Churchmen.
Long said: “To be fair to Tividale, 4-1 flattered us. Just like Brocton (2-0 home win) on Saturday, it showed how strong the league is.
“We’ll have to improve when we go to Heanor on Saturday. If we don’t we won’t be getting anything.”
One plus from Tuesday’s game was the return of Ryan Winwood after two months sidelined following a dislocated shoulder.
“Ryan was arguably our player of the season until he got injured,” said Long. “He was superb in the first half of the season and we will need him firing on all cylinders for the run-in. He was a bit rusty on Tuesday but we expected that and he will get fitter.”
On Saturday, a goal in each half from March and Tom Turton accounted for a Brocton side who belied their bottom of the table position at Lye Meadow.
March tucked home the first after five minutes from the penalty spot after he had been pushed.
Turton added the second five minutes into the second half with a deflected half-volley after the Badgers defence had failed to deal with Ryan Edmunds’ free kick.
After the trip to Heanor, Alvechurch turn their attention to the Polymac Packaging League Cup when Westfields visit Lye Meadow for a second round tie on Tuesday, with the winners at home to Lye in the last 16.
