DARREN BYFIELD will demand a response in Saturday’s league trip to Needham Market after Alvechurch suffered a first round cup exit for the fourth different competition.
Church paid the price for a lacklustre display on Tuesday night when AFC Wulfrunians, who play two levels below them, dumped Byfield’s side out of the Birmingham Senior Cup on penalties.
It had ended 0-0 at Lye Meadow but Wulfs went through 4-3 on spot-kicks after Rikardo Reid’s effort was saved by Connor Hopkins and Jordan Goddard hit the crossbar.
In the 90 minutes, Kyle Perry threatened for Alvechurch, having a shot saved and firing wide from 30 yards, while Mitch Botfield shot wide, but Midland League Division Wulfs forced Joe Slinn into a smart second half save.
Boss Byfield will want a positive reaction on Saturday when Church, who sit joint fourth from bottom of Southern Premier Central and have not won since the end of August, head to Suffolk to face Needham who lie 13th.
REDDITCH United have an identical league record to Alvechurch as they too seek a return to winning ways at Nuneaton Borough this weekend.
United were beaten 3-1 at Biggleswade Town on Saturday, when Liam Truslove’s 53rd-minute equaliser proved fruitless, before exiting the Birmingham Senior Cup at the first round stage at home to West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.
A young Baggies side took a first half lead before recent recruit from Sutton Coldfield Louis Monaghan continued his impressive start to his Reds career with a 57th-minute leveller.
However, the visitors booked their place in the next round with a 4-3 win on penalties which was harsh on a Redditch side who produced an excellent performance.
Despite the positives of midweek, Ian King’s side have lost four league games in a row and a positive result at Nuneaton is much-needed.
Ninth-placed Boro’ have picked up nine points out of a possible 15 in their last five games and all of those have come at home, whilst the Reds have dropped down the table.
However, a win in north Warwickshire could propel United numerous places up the table.
