Alvechurch U18 LR seize their chance to move into 3rd place as a stunning 35 yard strike from Daniele Reka wins the three points in their penultimate home game of the 2023/2024 season.

THE MATCH:
Under the lights for a strong test as second-placed Bedworth United were in town and it was almost an incredible start to the contest as just 35 seconds into the encounter Reka went close to breaking the deadlock. He ghosted in behind from a long ball over the top, getting a toe to it but the keeper was forced into a smart save.

Church' bright start continued just four minutes later as they pinned the visitors in. George Gillon delivered a teasing ball into the mixer in which both Reka and Bailey Kirby both went for. However, they both got in each others way before Mason Stevens approached on the scene to slam an effort goal-bound, but the Bedworth defender(s) jumped in the way of the ball to deny the hosts an early lead.

Having had majority of the play in a dominating opening 20-minute spell, the visitors came close to taking the advantage against the run-of-play as an effort creeped just over the top of Matt Horton's crossbar.

The home side kept right at it and were suffocating the Bedworth defence. On 35 minutes, they came very close to taking the lead. Vano Biashivili delivering an inch-perfect ball over the top to George Alison, who cushioned the header into the path of Reka, who hit an instinctive volley but it drifted the wrong side of the mark.

Goal or no goal?

Three minutes before the interval, Church thought they were ahead. Reka, causing problems all over the pitch, pulled the trigger from 25 yards out and his effort cannoned off the upright before what we think bounced over the line - however, the linesman couldn't see whether it had crossed the white line - meaning we would head into the break all square much to the frustration of the hosts.

HALF-TIME: ALVECHURCH 0-0 BEDWORTH UNITED

At the break, Church continued to stay calm and knew that one chance to break the score-line would arrive.

On 51 minutes, Kielan Naughton stepped up to take a long-range free-kick hoping to play a part in getting his side ahead. His free-kick struck the wall before looping up into the air and Reka, again, was inches away from getting his foot on it to divert his chance into the net.

The game entered it's flattest period of the night as both sides became a bit more tense and nervous as the clock ticked along.

18 minutes from time, the away side would be kicking themselves as to how they'd not made more of what was their best chance of the windy night at The Hayes. A cross was floated in to the far post and the striker had acres of time but most importantly, space, to pick his spot but he curled the effort beyond the far-hand post.

Was it going to be anyone's night?

Church, just two minutes later, had a glorious opportunity themselves to smash the door down as Reka was picked out in the middle from Harrison Dodd, but his header went over the top of the crossbar from 12 yards out to keep the score at bay.

But, those frustrations turned into delirium with ten minutes remaining as Church' main man stepped forward on a night that had been craving a moment of magic as Daniele Reka got his reward for his persistent patience. He latched onto the ball from 35 yards out before picking his head up and ferociously unleashing the effort that smashed the bar on its way in as the Bedworth keeper could only watch as it sailed past him to set off incredible scenes!

On 86 minutes, Church were inches away from sealing the deal.

Biashivili kept the ball alive at the far post as he guided the ball back into the danger area before Gillon brought the ball down on his chest and rifled the volley towards the far corner but went the wrong side of the post - he had the Church bench pretty much celebrating but it weren't to be for our midfielder.

FULL-TIME: ALVECHURCH 1-0 BEDWORTH UNITED

Church secured back-to-back wins with their win against Bedworth, in which also closed the gap between the two sides to just two points heading into the final two games of the regular 2023/24 season. However, this was Church' final league game at home this season and they truly capped it off in style. Job done!