FOOTBALL - Alvechurch move joint-top with opening day win - The Redditch Standard

FOOTBALL - Alvechurch move joint-top with opening day win

Redditch Editorial 9th Aug, 2022   0

ALVECHURCH moved joint-top of the Southern League Premier Central table after starting the new season with an impressive 3-0 home win against 10-man Stourbridge.

Church scored three second-half goals to claim the points at Lye Meadow with Jed Abbey, Danny Waldron and debutant Tom Edge all on target whilst Reece Styche was sent off for the visitors just before the break.

However, the win was marred by a nasty clash of heads between Alvechurch players Jack Hallahan and Harry Williams both of whom were taken to hospital following the incident with both expected to make a full recovery.

Alvechurch boss Ian Long said: “I thought we were dominating the game before the incident and when it was 11 versus 11.




“We totally dominated possession, we didn’t create as many chances as I’d like for the possession that we had but we were on top.

“It’s a cracking result, nice clean sheet, scored a few goals and we could have had a few more, it could have been a lot more convincing in the end.


“There’s still a lot of work to be done, there’s still quite a few things we’re not happy with but it’s early in the season and we expect to improve as the season goes on.”

Chances were at a premium in the first half with Waldron and Jack Concannon combining well for the hosts only for the Stourbridge goalkeeper to make the save.

Church pressed for the opener and came close on a couple of occasions before Styche was sent off on 40 minutes for a dive in the penalty area having been booked earlier in the half.

The second half was delayed for several minutes whilst the two Church players received treatment for the clash of heads with both teams agreeing to play on following a discussion with the referee.

And Alvechurch took the lead on 55 minutes when Abbey finished in off the post from just inside the penalty area leaving the keeper with no chance.

The home side doubled their lead on 67 minutes when Waldron beat his man before firing low underneath the Stourbridge keeper.

And the game was made safe when Edge collected a loose ball in the box before lashing home on 76 minutes to round off a fine second-half performance.

Alvechurch are next in action away at Coalville Town on Saturday, August 13 with kick-off at 3pm at Owen StreetĀ Sports Ground.

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