Church Apply Brakes to Leamington's Unbeaten Run

The Long/Coldwell era is at an end, and it ends on a high as the latter steers Church to a creditable 1-0 win over Leamington.

Leamington had the better of the opening exchanges, with a 1st minute chance created by Landers, and his ball across the face of the goal having to be steered behind by Lamb.
On 7 minutes, Hallahan was caught in possession 30 yards out, and Eve was forced to intervene with a good save one on one.
Both sides were probing, but also guilty of heavy passes in the final third that inevitably led to attacking move tamely breaking down.

Not much of note in the first half, but it sprang to life in the final minutes with pressure from the visitors. A Leamington break sees Walker fire goalward forcing a good block from Alabi at full stretch to deflect the ball behind for a corner. Church scramble the ball clear , but concede a free kick on the corner of the area in the process. Kelly-Evans hips the ball in but a good defensive headed clearance from Patterson repels any danger.

Half Time: Alvechurch 0 Leamington 0

Church began the second half on the front foot, and within three minutes had put a score on the board with a smart finish from Ben Cassidy.
Two minutes in a great flowing move from Church takes them quickly up the pitch, and George, with a good sight of goal inside the area needs an excellent block by a Leamington defender to clear the danger.
The reprieve is short-lived however, and a good run from Dyer on the left flank, a cut inside, a feed to Concannon, and then to Cassidy allows the right back a sight of goal, and his arrowed finish flies unerringly into the far corner.

Two minutes later a defence splitting pass sees Cassidy through on goal again, but he . Tries to chip keeper Hawkins only to steer the ball straight at him.

Leamington threaten but a, couple of efforts are blocked away, and then Quaynor flashes a shot low but just wide of the foot of the post

On 65 a double effort from George almost brings a second goal for Church - the first is beaten away by Hawkins with smart low save, and the second bobbles wide.

On 71 George is fouled on edge of box, and he takes free kick himself, but fires well over without troubling Hawkins.

Leamington are not finished by any means, and with a quarter of an hour remaining Meredith breaks down the right flank, and crosses for Williams who loops a header just over.

Church are still an attacking threat, and on 83 minutes a strong run from Concannon opens up a chance for Chong, and his low shot to Hawkins’ left clips the outside of the post with the keeper at full stretch.

Time is ebbing, and Meredith drives on target from the angle, with the deflected ball blocked and smuggled away.
A Leamington corner loops onto top of bar and Eve claims the loose ball as nerves jangle inside the Church box.

Stoppage time, and Church could have settled the match once and for all after Evans robs defender near corner flag. He squares the ball for George twelve yards out, but the latter miskicks, and the ball is cleared.

Deeper in to stoppage time, Eve claims a miscued clearance. Nervous moments.

The final action sees Williams blaze over from 25 yards. A welcome breather for Church, and the three points are in the bag.

Given the events of a couple of weeks ago when Barwell stormed back to wipe out a four goal lead, no one would be blamed for living the final minutes on their nerves, but Church defended more resolutely this time out, and the Brakes were kept at bay.