Despite Church’s historic reputation for cup replays (re: The 11 Hour Cup Tie), in recent times, they have proved to be more anti-climactic. FA Cup aside, defeats in the FA Vase to Pelsall Villa, Long Eaton, Causeway United, alongside 8 defeats in FA Trophy replays, balanced by only one win in each competition after the first tie have been Alvechurch’s fare when the job was not done first time round.

And this proved to be the case in Bard Country again tonight, as a rejuvenated Stratford side swept a rather off-colour Church aside with a dominant first half performance, and a three goal lead that proved to be insurmountable in a predictably more even second period of play.
The home side had made just one change to their starting eleven for this replay, but Church took to the filed without the midfield and attacking spine from the weekend, with Mitch Botfield and Aaron Lloyd both absent, and it showed.

First chance to the home side on 6 minutes when Carvalho twists and turns on the left flank, feeds Taylor deep in the Church box, and keeper Price is forced to smother bravely before the Startford frontman can get off a shot.

But it was only a brief respite, as in the next attack Wilson went down under challenge from Willets, and Carvalho fired the resulting spot kick low into the corner, evading Price’s despairing dive to his right. The blow of the goal put Church on the back foot, and Stratford capitalised with high intensity play all over the pitch, and free-flowing rapid attacks that Church found it increasingly difficult to deal with. Taylor again on 12 minutes faced up with Price and forced the keeper to block well at his near post to prevent further damage.

Church were struggling to get a foothold in the game, and needed a break in the opponents’ half – but it never came.
And then the home side turned the screw with a second goal 37 minutes. Westwood swings in an inviting cross from the Church right back position, and Taylor connects centre goal with an angled header that flies into the far corner, giving Price no chance.

Game over so it seemed on 42 minutes when Skendi drove through Church’s midfield and defensive lines before feeding Taylor at the far post, and the Stratford striker had the simplest of chances to tap into the unguarded goal.

Half Time:
Stratford Town 3 Alvechurch 0

Church made two half time substitutions, with Cook and Llewellyn replacing Turton and O’Callaghan, and although the visitors made a better fist of it in the second period, there continued to be a paucity of clear chances to warm the hearts of the Church faithful.

And even so, it was Stratford who first went closest to scoring with a 51st minute effort cleared off the Church goal line, and it took until the 65th minute for Church to register an effort on target as Cook’s free kick found keeper Walton well positioned on his line to take the ball in easily.

March flashes a shot just wide from 25 yards with Walton untroubled, and with time running out the lively Ezewele drove wide after a good run and lay back from Landell, but there was to be no way back for Church as , before the end of October, the final curtain fell on the 2018/19 cup campaigns for Alvechurch.