There was s stark difference in the form that each side brought into the game – the home side had not even scored for six games, whilst the visitors had won five in a row.

Church’s squad was so depleted that Manager Tim Flowers could name only four substitutes including rookie keeper Logan Ellis and F&E players Dieter Schwarm and Louis Clifford. Contrast that with Bedford, who were able to make four changes to their previous starting line up, including leaving top scorer Ben Stevens on their bench.

But a game of two distinct halves ensued, with each side scoring once in their period of dominance to give us a 1-1 scoreline at the end of regulation time.

Church’s ascendancy came in the first half when the visitors had regularly registered their dominance in games this season, heading the scoring charts for first half goals in the Southern League Premier Central.

Early in that spell Church registered their first goal since the defeat to Quorn a month ago. Just eight minutes on the clock when Kieran Wakefield latched onto a loose ball just inside the Bedford box to convert low past keeper King and give Church what was already a deserved lead. Even before this conversion, in a frantic opening, the home side had looked threatening, despite Bedford having the first chance when Ahmed breaks down the right flank and delivers a ball across the face of the Church box for Jones to connect but his first time effort well clearing the Church goal.

Church pressed for a second and on 14 minutes Tattum does really well to rob Ahmed on the half way line before tracking to the byline under pressure from the recovering opponent, and squaring for Wakefield, the latter sees his shot from deep inside the box blocked.
A minute later a great touch by Wakefield releases Sullivan, and he ius able to square the ball across the face of the goal for Ngandu, who sees his shot curve just wide of the angle of the goal.
Immediately after, as the pressure continues on the Bedford goal, Merrett has a good sight of goal, and a shot from deep inside the box is well blocked after the ball had been recycled after a corner.

Bedford threatened on the break after 23 minutes when Ahmed gets behind the Church back line, but one on one with Evans he steers the ball wide of both the advancing keeper and the right hand post.

Half Time : Alvechurch 1 Real Bedford 0

The visitors most definitely dominated for long spells in the second half, and got their reward on 63 minutes when substitute Stevens latched onto a loose ball in the Church box and delivered a decisive blow, albeit with a massive deflection that sent the ball squirming into the bottom corner of Evans’ goal.

The pressing from the visitors continued, and skill and luck were needed to keep them at bay as the half unfolded. On 77 Tee progressed rapidly down the left before crossing for Jones, centre of the goal, a few yards out, and Evans were forced into an excellent reflex save to deny the opportunity developing into a goal.

On 84 minutes a corner leads to another clear cut opportunity for Bedford, and a goalline clearance is needed to prevent the ball entering the goal at the foot of the post.
It’s a gutsy defensive display from Church that moves the game, seemingly, inexorably to a third successive penalty shootout.

Penalty Shootout:

The penalty shootout had its own fair share of drama.
Bedford were up first and handed Church a potential advantage when Redman Evans saved Stevens’ spot kick.
Kieran Wakefield duly converted to put Church ahead. (0-1)
Evans converted for Bedford to bring them level, and parity was confirmed as the next Church spot kick from Ngandu was saved. (1-1)
Hitchcock converted to put Bedford 2-1 up, at least temporarily, and this advantage was confirmed as Josh Dugmore saw a second successive Church penalty repelled as King pulled off another save. (2-1)
Tee made it 3-1 to Bedford, leaving Storer with a sudden death challenge – score or Church were out.
His penalty was saved by King, and the Bedford players began to sweep goalward from the half way line to celebrate in the traditional pile on way, only to spot as Assistant’s flag raised to indicate an infringement in the goalkeeper’s actions.
Storer’s re-take was in to reprieve, at least for a moment. (3-2)
Hilliard was next up knowing that if he converted then Bedford would claim their place in Round 3.
Evans spoiled his day though with a decisive save, taking the contest at least to the 10th penalty. (3-2)
Louis Clifford kept his young nerve to send the scores level at 3-3, and the shootout into sudden death.
Weyman puts penalty number 6 over after clipping the top of the bar, leaving Ethan Sephton as the hero as he converts Church’s 6th spot-kick to send Church through 4-3!