Boss: Church can handle pressure - The Redditch Standard

Boss: Church can handle pressure

Redditch Editorial 23rd Feb, 2017   0

IAN LONG insists Alvechurch feel no extra pressure after finally putting their championship fate back in their own hands.

Saturday’s crucial 2-1 win at fellow title contenders Lye Town means the Midland League Premier Division table-toppers are no longer hoping any of their rivals slip up in their games in hand to remain top of the pile.

Connor Deards and Mike Wardle netted in the final eight minutes at Lye to move Church 11 points of the third placed Black Country side, who have three games in hand, and nine points ahead of second placed FA Vase semi-finalists Coleshill Town, who have two games in hand.

While Long believes Alvechurch are in a strong position, he stressed there will still be twists and turns in the final two months of the season.




However, he feels the Lye Meadow side are used to dealing with pressure, having finished runners-up last season, then being the pre-season team to beat before then having to play catch-up after a woeful start to the season which necessitated a mid-term overhaul of players.

“I really haven’t noticed any change in any pressure on us,” said Long. “Last season, we were going for the title with Hereford and now we’re going for the title with three or four other teams still in the race.


“Everybody wants to beat us because we are top of the table and we have had to deal that for the past few months. The only real pressure, though, comes from ourselves. I put pressure on myself to win, the players put pressure on themselves to win.

“We’re enjoying our football and we’ve got some momentum behind us. The players deserve credit for that. They’ve done really well after we had such a poor start to the season.

“Since we made five or six changes, bringing in players such as Danny Dubidat, Jamie Ashmore, Reece Shilvock, Jamie Willets and Babucar Sauane, we had a great run. We’ve lost to Boldmere and drawn at Heanor but other than we’ve been on a great winning run.

“Nothing’s decided yet. There are still ten games left, that’s nearly a quarter of the season.”

Long will certainly not underestimate Lye bouncing back after admitting there was little between the sides on Saturday, or Coleshill continuing their challenge despite their Vase heroics.

Church will need to be equally focused when they head to Loughborough University on Saturday.

With top scorer Josh March a doubt with a hamstring injury, Wardle suffering a swollen ankle and Zack Foster recovering from illness, Long will have to await fitness tests before naming his side.

Alvechurch’s strength in depth was highlighted as they continued their treble challenge on Tuesday with a 4-1 win at home to Pelsall Villa in the Polymac Packaging League Cup last eight.

Willets and Dubidat put the hosts 2-1 ahead but Dubidat was then sent off on 15 minutes before Ryan Edmunds netted twice to seal their progress.

With Karl Edwards and Shilvock also cup-tied for the forthcoming two-legged League Cup semi-finals against Highgate United and Dubidat facing a three-match ban, Long suggested he will be looking for reinforcements.

However, once again Alvechurch’s youngsters stepped up in midweek with Brogan Halpin vying for man of the match against Pelsall and Callum Baker, James Douglas and Ryan Pierpoint featuring.

Long also stressed the role the fans will have in cheering Alvechurch towards what could be an epic season.

“The fans really helped support the lads at Lye and the players appreciate it,” added the manager. “We’ve got some big games coming up and the support will make a big difference.”

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