JAMIE WILLETS’ decision to reject a move to Welsh Premier side Aberystwyth Town is the perfect new year boost to Alvechurch’s title chances, according to Ian Long.
The Church boss told the Standard he feared the no-nonsense centre half – a key figure in Alvechurch’s run to the top of the Midland Premier Division table – would exit Lye Meadow to rejoin his former Hereford assistant boss Matthew Bishop with the Welsh side, who are pushing for a European place.
Willets has been training with Aberystwyth but Long is thrilled the defender has committed himself to Alvechurch’s push for promotion.
“I had been half resigned to the fact I would lose Jamie because he is a good friend of Matthew Bishop and they have got that chance to get into Europe,” said Long. But I’m absolutely delighted he is staying.
“He is enjoying his football and, by his own admission, that’s the most important thing for him. I believe a happy footballer is a good footballer. He has been superb since he joined us. He is an old-fashioned centre half and those type of players are few and far between. It would have a tough task to find a replacement.
“Myself, Rich Colwell and the chairman (Richard Thorndike) sat down with him and had a good chat and we said we wanted him to stay and he had the chance to win back-to-back titles. That’s what everything is geared towards.”
After the shock pre-Christmas setback at Boldmere St Michaels – ending an 11-match winning run – Alvechurch’s challenge has been boosted by successive wins.
Goals from Josh March, Danny Dubidat and Reece Shilvock sealed a 3-0 Boxing Day win against visitors Highgate United and then March (2), Dubidat (2) and Ryan Edmunds were on target in a 5-0 demolition of visitors Quorn.
The January 2 game at Tividale was postponed – and now rescheduled for Tuesday, January 10 – but Alvechurch’s title hopes still improved after defeats for fellow contenders Westfields and Lye Town.
It leaves the Lye Meadow men four points clear at the top, with Lye Town having two games in hand, while fourth placed Westfields trail by 12 points with five games in hand.
Alvechurch, who have added former Boldmere keeper Lewis Fenney to their squad, will look to keep up the pressure with a victory against second from bottom Brocton on Saturday at Lye Meadow.
Brocton, however, upset Lye 3-1 on Monday, watched by Long and his staff, and the manager warned they will be no pushover.
“Brocton might be second from bottom but they have had a couple of good wins in the last few games and they will be on the crest of a wave coming to us,” said Long.
“Anybody can beat anybody in this league, as we found out at Boldmere. You can’t take your eye off the ball so we know we need to be at 100 per cent on Saturday.”
Midfielder Ryan Winwood, who dislocated his shoulder in Alvechurch’s 3-0 win at Brocton in November, is set to feature for the first time since that fixture, while defender Mark Smith will have a fitness check on a back problem.
