Church Celebrate Capture of County Cup

A unseasonably stormy feel to the weather was the backdrop for this Worcestershire Senior Cup final, hosted by finalists Evesham United against an Alvechurch side now safe from relegation threat from the Southern League Premier Central.

The conditions did little to enhance this match as any sort of spectacle. The pitch was bumpy all over, and a strong swirling wind, essentially gusting from one end to the other stifled any real attempts that other side made to get a grip on the game.

Church’s penalty shoot out win secured the trophy for a fourth time as they overcame Southern League Division 1 side who were themselves looking to add to their three wins to date.

Early on, Church looked to profit from a rarely seen backpass decision against Evesham goalkeeper Taylor. The free kick from inside the box was drilled on target by Clayton-Phillips, and a slight deflection takes the ball wide of the far post. Another free kick in a good position is wasted after Dyer is fouled on the corner of the box.

Half time beckons and good work from Gordon deep in the Evesham box, the ball is pulled back for Dawkins, and his clean drive on target is well saved by Taylor. Church have had good control in the letter stages of this half, but the Evesham goal remains unbreeched.

Half Time: Evesham United 0 Alvechurch 0

Playing against the wing in the second half, Church at times struggled to get the ball out of their own half. A good chance for Evesham on 56 came from a quick break as Steele beats the offside trap, but Ofosu does well to delay any shot on goal, and when it eventually comes, Hollingshead does really well to beat the ball away to safety.

Church have started the second half on the back foot, but grow gradually into the match again as time ticks on. Just after the hour mark Allen-Hadley beats off three challenges with his pace before delivering a ball across the box and just past the foot of the post. From the resulting corner. The ball comes out to Mitchell, and his curled effort is well saved by Taylor as he turns the ball behind with a full stretch dive.

The introduction of Ben Cassidy from the bench injected more energy and bite into Church’s play, and had probably thought that they had done enough to win the game in 90 minutes, including having a goal chalked off in the last minute of normal time after Gordon connected with a cross but the second touch from Dyer was probably the offence, for an unfortunate offside.

Still time in stoppage time for, once again, keeper Hollingshead to prove his worth, saving really well as Sammons drilled the ball low and on target from the edge of the box, with the Church keeper seeing it come through a crowded area, but flinging himself low to his right diverts the danger to send the game to what seemed for some time its ultimate destiny.

Not a great start for Church as in response to Evesham’s opener Gordon sends his spot kick against the left hand post to give the home side an immediate advantage.
But the balance is levelled as Owens has his kick saved by Hollingshead, before Michell converts his.

Sammons surprisingly puts his spot kick wide, handing the advantage to Church, which skipper Dugmore duly takes to put Church 2-1 up.

Awadh levels a2 2-2 before Hadley-Allen sees his attempt saved, and so after four apiece its two apiece.

Raison score to leave Church having to score to proceed to sudden death, and Thorndike converts to prolong the contest.

Penalty six: Hollingshead saves Willcox’s effort, and Dyer scores for Church to end the competition for this year. Goalless on the night, and Church winning 4-3 on penalties.