A massive game at the foot of the table arrived once more for Ben Davis' side as they aimed to make it a double over Knowle FC in back-to-back contests against the basement side. Having won 5-1 last week against the Robins, there was fresh optimism that Church could back up that result with another in their survival battle - a real chance for some daylight as they prepare to wait over the next 4-5 weeks to see what happens. Having played the most amount of games, they now face a spell on the side-lines hoping that others can provide the favours needed in order to keep us afloat in the division.

One more game to go against the side that currently occupy that final relegation spot, Solihull Sporting, on the horizon in April, three points was another must for the young Church side. A point not really enough in their fight to beat the drop.

HOW IT UNFOLDED:
Expecting a reaction from the hosts, due to their rude awakening last week, they certainly have the shackles off now until the end of the season with their fate almost sealed and relegation to tier six looking evident. But, it was the Robins that started the quicker of the two sides with the travelling team half asleep.

Four minutes in and Abby Dadson had to be pulled into action. The ball bounced around inside the area before a snapshot from the striker was heading into the roof of the net but our number one made an outstanding save down to her right to pluck the ball away from the goal. The rebound effort was rather more simple as she gathered at it.

She was certainly being tested early on and had to make another vital stop just three minutes later. The shot on the edge of the box was fired in and our goalkeeper had to be at full stretch to tip the effort over the top of the crossbar to ensure the score-line remained level.

On 14 minutes, Alvechurch probably should have been ahead. Alisha Sheridan, fresh from her three-goal show last week, worked her magix down the right-hand side before slipping the ball inside to Beth Grady. Grady opted for the shot from the angle forcing the goalkeeper into a smart save down to her left. The save came only as far as Libby Stokes though. Our new recruit had the opportunity to snatch her first goal for the club, but the ball bounced awkwardly and she couldn't generate the power needed to take it over the line.

The game starting to open up and neither team having asserting any real consistent pressure. The home team came close to breaking the deadlock again shortly afterwards as the shot hit the outside of the post to deny them the lead.

Another huge chance closing in on the half-time whistle. Stokes played a wonderful reverse pass into the feet of Sheridan, who took it under her control. The striker needed to compose herself but the shot was rushed allowing the goalkeeper to safely grasp and not have much to do in order to keep it out of her goal.

HT: KNOWLE 0-0 ALVECHURCH

Church were awarded the chance to break the stalemate on 59 minutes. Charlotte Leedham was brought down under pressure leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. From the spot, Sheridan placed the ball on the spot. However, her penalty aimed for the bottom right-hand corner was kept out by the Knowle goalkeeper followed by the biggest cheer of the game.

As Ben rolled the dice with the substitutions, we still failed to find a way through a spirited home side, who were giving it everything they had to the cause and try to ruffle a few of our feathers. They did exactly that with 21 minutes to play, too. A delicate lofted ball over the top allowed the Knowle striker to race through clean on goal - Church trying to catch her offside - and the finish was devastating as it clipped the inside of the post and into the back of the net.

Davis threw caution to the wind and the kitchen sink at it now to rescue something on the road. Alvechurch starring down the barrel at their 13th league defeat of the season if they couldn't find a way through and just Knowle's second win of the season looming.

In the final ten minutes, it was all Alvechurch, who were piling everything at it to find an equaliser. With nine minutes left on the clock, Sheridan almost made up for the penalty kick as her effort rattled off the top of the crossbar having hit a beautiful strike on the volley from the edge of the box. Two minutes later, Leedham raced through the challenges before seeing her effort saved from the out-stretched legs of the home goalkeeper.

COMETH THE HOUR. COMETH THE HERO!

Lara Stevens, off the bench, to rescue the day for the Church. On minute 87, the visiting team finally got their rewards for persistent pressure and trying to find a way to smash the door down. Stevens raced into the channel to collect the loose ball, she skipped by three challenges, drove into the area and rifled home a rocket into the roof of the net from an acute angle to pull us back on level terms.

From there on in, we threw almost the whole squad forward to try and seal the three points, which would have been precious ones. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a way through and it means that we had to settle for a share of the spoils in our penultimate game of the 2024/2025 season. Not ideal as we now leave our destiny in the hands of fate.

FT: KNOWLE 1-1 ALVECHURCH