ALVECHURCH have now won three successive games in all competitions after defeating Midland Football League Premier Division rivals Brocton 4-1 at Lye Meadow on Tuesday to move into the quarter-finals of the JW Hunt Cup.
It is the second time that Lee Adams’ side, fresh from Saturday’s 1-0 home league win over AFC Wulfrunians, have beaten Brocton 4-1 on home soil this season, having inflicted the same result on the Staffordshire side back in September in the league.
Adams handed a debut to new signing Daniel Platt in goal as he took over from Keith Rostill between the sticks but the new stopper was picking the ball out of his net in the 16th minute when full back Callum Rudd fired home.
However, the hosts roared back into contention in the 29th minute when Luke Shearer’s superb solo run and strike made it 1-1 and just seven minutes later Alvechurch were ahead when Michael McGrath’s pass found Gareth Evans who drew the keeper before curling the ball home.
There was still time before the break for James Cosgrave to head home after a good move down the right to make it 3-1.
The second half was dominated by the hosts in the driving rain but they had to wait until two minutes from time to make it 4-1 when Shearer again showed excellent composure to collect the ball on the left before firing the ball into the corner of the net.
Alvechurch will now travel to the winners of the tie between Black Country Rangers and Wolverhampton Sporting in the last eight on a date to be confirmed.
Three days earlier the Lye Meadow faithful watched a scrappy affair against AFC Wulfrunians in the league but a 78th minute strike from Evans proved enough to secure a 1-0 win which leaves Adams’ men tenth in the table heading into Saturday’s visit to fifth placed Stourport Swifts.
Chances were few and far between but the breakthrough came when McGrath’s free kick found Adams and the ball was flicked on for Evans to head home from ten yards.
The visitors, who had won their three previous league and cup games against Alvechurch, piled on late pressure in search of an equaliser but, despite hitting the post and seeing Rostill make a dramatic goalline save, they could not find a way through.
Alvechurch, who have been handed a Worcestershire Senior Urn home semi-final against lower ranked Malvern Town on a date to be confirmed, are also in action on Tuesday when they visit Coleshill Town in the League Cup. The other Urn semi-final will see Stourport Swifts host Highgate United.
