Church Go Marching In ..... To The First Round Proper

Despite their technically higher league status, Alvechurch were probably considered underdogs in this FA Cup clash, with their visitors enjoying a ten game winning run since losing at Stockton on 13th August, and having already dispatched higher league opposition Gainsborough Trinity and National League South Brackley Town in the previous two rounds.
Alvechurch: Jezeph Burton, Sephton, Neto-Tiexeira (Williams 89), Willets, Carter, Abbey, Edge, Brown (Olaloko 70), Concannon (Cassidy 82), Waldron unused subs: Behan, Hamilton, Taylor

Worksop Town: Malkowski, Hutchinson, Wilde, Wedgbury (Hall 46), Bencherif (Broadhead 56), Atherton, Hawkridge, Green, Hanson (Redford 46), Hughes, Rollins subs not used: Wolny, Starchenko, Hardy, Parnell

A dream start for Church, and a real nerve calmer with just six minutes on the clock. There had already been a double chance for Church after just two minutes when a low cross from Burton found Abbey, who’s shot was spooned away, and the follow up effort from Waldron was juggled by keeper Malkowski before anyone could capitalise further. The opening goal came as aresult of neat inperplay on the edge of the box, with Edge instrumental, before the ball is fed through to Brown, unmarked, eight yards out, and he slots in with ease.

Workshop threatened, and enjoyed some possession that resulted in a series of corners, but the Church defence was well marshalled, and in all honesty, Jezeph was largely untroubled.

A good chance for Church on 25 minutes when Church won a free kick 25 yards out, but Abbey sent his effort well off target. And just after, the speed of Waldron again troubled the Worksop defence but his shot from 20 yards was just off target.
Another double chance for Church on 26 when another Burton foray down the right, with Brown being denied twice by Malkowski from close range.

Church are looking after the ball better than their opponents, and are creating by far the better chances, and Jezeph remains largely untroubled.

First clearer chance for Worksop on 38 minutes but Green lashes the ball over, always rising, from a good position. Down to the other end and the pace of Waldron sees him though and behind the back four once again, and his shot is again well blocked by Malkowski.

One nil at the break would have been a satisfying return. Two-nil was significantly better. Into stoppage time, and Church break again, swinginh the play from one flank to the other to once again bring the busy Burton into the attacking action, and the ball is slipped through the square Worksop back four, and Abbey finds myself clear on goal, eight yards out, and he finishes with aplomb

Half Time: Alvechurch 2 Worksop Town 0

Church thought, quite reasonably on the balance of play, that they had done enough to put themselves firmly in the driving seat for the competition proper just three minutes into the second half. Sighting goal, Edge sweeps the ball into the top corner from 20 yards giving Malkowski little chance, and the visitors looked well beaten.

Worksop had their keeper, Polish International Sebastian Malkowski, who played one International game for the Polish national side in a friendly against Lithuania on 25/03/11 while he was playing for Lechia Gdansk, to thank for the fact that the scoreline was not more embarrassing than it was after 48 minutes, pulling off a string of blocking saves throughout. And he continued to play his part as Church looked for more goals to add gloss to the scoreline. On 70 minutes another block denies Brown, and on 76 an outstretched foot denies Abbey as Church went in search of a deserved fourth goal.
Worksop, to their credit, had not thrown the towel in, and the Church defence were not allowed a free ride despite the three goal deficit. Double blocks by Abbey and Willets were key on 69 minutes as the Church players put their bodies on the line to protect their clean sheet.

On 77 minutes a great run from Waldron occupied three defenders as he tracked across and into the box, with his shot going across goal and just wide of the far post – it would have been an excellent individual goal and a just reward for the strikers tireless efforts throughout.

Jezeph made a significant contribution on 83 when he pulled off a superb reflex save , throwing up an arm to beat away a close range goal bound effort, but he was beaten three minutes later, when the ball was stabbed in by Redford from close range following a corner and a mini melee in the box.

A mere consolation? Possibly not, because three minutes later the visitors scrambled a second from nothing. Broadhead flicks the ball on and Hughes stabs the ball low into the corner from close range to set up a nervy period of stoppage time.

Church survive any further damage, and manage the added time to calm the nerves and steer the game to a successful conclusion.

A stunning performance from the whole of the Church team – the centre backs were imperious, the midfield relentless, and the forwards were a continual thorn in the sides of the experienced Worksop defence – and a thoroughly deserved win and place in the next round for the Lye Meadow side.