With vital clashes against two of the top five in the Southern League to come, Tim Flowers used this as an opportunity for a mixed squad. Five of our Alvechurch Under 18's / Alvechurch Centre of Excellence players getting another taste of first-team football. Jack Carter, Harrison Dodd, Korey Peets-Fearon, Jaelon West, Dieter Schwarm plus Jahvaugn Fracis were all included.

Peets-Fearon began at right-back for his second senior start alongside Carter, who partnered Stretton in that area. Dodd began in the left-back position for his first-ever start within our first-team set-up. Whilst, West, Schwarm and Francis were named on the bench.

There was also places for a few of our normal first-team players such as Dan Sweeney, who continues to build his fitness after a five-month lay-off. Brad Stretton, the hero at the weekend, was offered a start in the heart of midfield. Kieran Wakefield, looking to break his duck in-front of goal, whilst Dale Eve was back in between the sticks. Three games, two clean sheets for our other shot-stopper before tonight. Shay Willock also returned following his suspension. Archie Crowther continued to marshal the back-line and his record of starting every game this season. New signing, Louis Francis, was also handed a full debut having featured on the bench in the dramatic 3-2 win over Barwell.

Lots of chances for youngsters to have a go plus some of our regulars to try and stamp down a place for future prospects.

HOW IT UNFOLDED:
Here we go...

On eight minutes, it was Wakefield with Church' first real effort of the game as the two sides started slowly. A real cup feeling about the tie, with both sides eager not to lose it but also wanting to take a risk to get their noses in-front. But, back to Wakefield, he drove in, before unleashing a powerful effort which the goalkeeper was equal to and he held on.

Two minutes later, Burton created their first real opening of the contest. Hugo Hare, in the right-back area, drove past five Church challenges before hitting a strike which went not too far wide of the goal. A warning sign for the young side that if they were expecting this to be easy, they had another think coming.

For majority of the first-half, there was nothing to report on as both sides got the ball down and wanted to play on a tough surface but still attempting to do so. Burton knocking the ball about really nicely and with confidence.

On the half hour mark, it was the away side that cashed in to steal the lead. The ball was clipped into the left-hand channel, allowing the winger to run at our debutant left-back. The winger used a burst of acceleration to go past Dodd, before firing it right across the face of goal, allowing for a tap-in at the back post for the unguarded man in the middle, who had the goal at his mercy, he tapped home for 0-1.

The hosts being stifled of chances. So, when they came, they were very rare. Wakefield went close on the stroke of half-time as he broke beyond the last defender but as he approached the finish, the defender managed to get back on the right side of the ball, throwing his body in-front of it to make a vital block and deny us an equaliser.

HT: ALVECHURCH 0-1 BURTON ALBION

The second half was disrupted with a whole host of substitutions as both Clubs looked to give more of their shining lights and hugely talented lads a chance. Jaelon West, Dieter Schwarm and Jahvaugn Francis all entered the fray as they looked to produce a moment of magic and pull Church from the exit door of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

As we said, the second half was a proper stop and start half of football. Disrupting the flow and not really allowing any side to gain any real consistency of pressure.

On 74 minutes, Church went close to an equaliser. Sullivan broke off the shoulder of the last man and Sweeney was able to roll our midfielder through on goal but the Burton defence was standing strong to the shots across the 90 minutes. The strike was charged down and drifted out for a corner, which in the end came to nothing.

With eight minutes remaining in the cup tie, and Church' journey in the BSC coming towards a disappointing ending, we came to within the woodwork of equalising. Sullivan, one of our regulars, pulling the strings split the defence freeing up West. The giant striker saw his rifling effort smash the base of the post and divert to safety, to the relief of the travelling side.

Two minutes from time and Church almost rescued penalties. Wakefield drove forward with purpose and power. He opted to slide Charlie Gardner through on goal, who got there ahead of former Church loanee goalkeeper Kamil Dudek. The effort was hurdling towards the net but the defender got back to hook it off the line and deny us, but see them through to round four.

Well done to Burton and good luck in the next round.

FT: ALVECHURCH 0-1 BURTON ALBION