ALVECHURCH produced a remarkable comeback with 10-men to eventually beat Stourbridge on penalties to reach the Worcestershire Senior Cup semi-finals.
Church had Krystian Pearce sent off after just 15 minutes before Ethan McLeod’s brace looked to have taken the game out of Church’s reach at Lye Meadow.
However, Shay Willock reduced the deficit just before the hour mark and then sent the game to a shootout with an equaliser nine minutes from time.
And despite missing their first penalty, Church eventually triumphed 4-3 in the shootout to reach the semi-finals of the competition which they won last season.
Tim Flowers’ side will make the trip to local rivals Bromsgrove Sporting in the New Year with the semi-final tie to take place on Tuesday, February 11 with kick-off at 7.45pm at the Victoria Ground.
Church made the worst possible start as Pearce saw red for denying a goalscoring opportunity and McLeod converted the resulting penalty.
And McLeod doubled Stourbridge’s lead on 56 minutes when he finished Sam Unitt’s pass from inside the penalty area.
However, Church responded just two minutes later as Willock chased down a long ball and chipped a shot over Stourbridge goalkeeper Alex Graham.
And Willock deservedly drew the home side level on 81 minutes when he pounced on a defensive error and found the net to send the game to penalties.
However, Church’s Joe Willis saw his spot kick saved by Graham with the next four penalties all scored before Alex Worley failed to hit the target for the visitors.
Both teams scored their fourth penalty before Brad Stretton put Church into the lead and Dale Eve saved Souleyman Mandey’s effort to seal the home side’s place in the last four.
Alvechurch are next in action against Harborough Town on Saturday, December 21 with kick-off at 3pm at Harborough Town Community Football Ground.
