Another Pointer Towards League Survival

Alvechurch : Hollingshead, Dugmore, Dyer, Mitchell, Ofosu, Patterson, Allen-Hadley (Sturridge 77), Hallahan, Gordon (Crowther 90+3), Dawkins, Cassidy sybs not used: McLeod, Concannon, Clayton-Phillips

Leamington : Hawkins, Meredith, Quaynor, Clarke (Barnett 77), Edwards. Streete, Landers, Walker, Stewart, Williams, Shorrock (Medrano 84) subs not used: Taylor.Z, Brown-Hill, Taylor.C

Still smarting from the last minute single goal defeat at Stourbridge, Church travelled to relatively close neighbours Leamington to resume their Southern League survival quest.

Leamington were boasting a better than most home record – seven wins and four draws in their twelve home league games this season – whilst Church were looking to record just their third league win since mid-October.

The game starts with a spell of play in which the ball seems to be pinging from keeper to keeper, as both sides search for a defence splitting long ball without success. Leamington then win two free kicks in quick succession around the Church box. The first on 6 minutes sees the ball delivered straight at Hollingshead from with left. The second, three minutes later from wide right is delivered into the box by Landers, and an initial close range shot is blocked as the ball rebounds around. As the ball is re-cycled Shorrock gains possession just outside the box, and he tracks inside before rifling a shot in from close range.

Leamington are on top at this stage, an a couple of minutes later Stewart twists and turns in the box before his close range shot is blocked by a determined defence.

On 19 minutes Church had the ball in the back of the net after a smart finish from Gordon beats Hawkins at his near post, but the Church frontman has no time to celebrate as the assistant’s flag indicates that he had been offside in receiving the initial pass.

Hollingshead saves well on 40 minutes to his right to deny another goal bound shot after another free kick is delivered across the Church box. And just as half time beckons, for Church, Cassidy tracks inside from the flank and delivers a shot on target that Hawkins gathers at the second attempt.

Church are still in this with only the one goal deficit.

Half Time: Leamington 1 Alvechurch 0

It proves to be a much better half for Church after the break.
On the hour mark the visitors create a deserved equaliser after the ball is swung back and forth across the Leamington box, and as it falls to Allen-Hadley ten yards out, facing away from goal, the Church forward turns on a sixpence to fire off a low shot into the bottom right hand corner to bring the scores level.

Keeper Hollingshead preserves the status quo just three minutes later after Landers drives forwards and delivers a shot that looks destined for the top left hand corner of the net, but the Church keeper responds with a smart full stretch save to turn the ball aside.

A stoppage time clearance off the Church line denies Leamington the win, but Church hold on well to claim a valuable point against tricky opponents.