The League Table Does Not Lie

After a bright start, Church capitulated as Lye served up a dominant second half performance that saw them consolidate their place in the top three.

It is evident why Lye are where they are in the league. Working hard as a unit, pressing in every part of the pitch, quick movement of the ball, and players who are prepared to put themselves in goal scoring positions. A toxic combination for any opponent, and so it proved for Church on this dank January afternoon.

There was a welcome start for returning striker Connor Deards, and new signings Anton Astley and Reis Woolley were on the bench.

Alvechurch: Edwards, Markall, Xavier, Morrison, Race, Cosgrave, Dunkley, Cresswell, Evans, Deards, Williams
Unused subs: Mangolo, Gibson

Lye Town: Stevens, Bissell, Jones, Whitcombe (Silvock 16), Mills, Williams, Russell (Haynes 78), Overfield (Davies), Spray, Anslow, Jevons
Unused subs: Johnson, Nickle

The home side enjoyed the better of the opening stages, but Church had the best first chance on 5 minutes when Cresswell was tripped on the edge of the area. The free kick was played square to Cosgrave whose drive was blocked by a mass of players, with strong claims for a penalty, but nothing doing. A good spell for Church followed with the away side taking the game to Lye in their defensive third.

The first corner of the game fell to Church on 22 minutes, and it led to the opening goal – to Lye.
Keeper Stevens claimed the corner and set his side off on a counter attack up the right. A smart ball into Anslow 20 yards out, and with his second touch he drove a fierce shot past Edwards from the edge of the box.

A let –off for Church on 34 when the ball ricocheted kindly for Russell, and he beat two defenders before facing up with keeper Edwards, but blazed over from 15 yards.

On 42, Overfield fed the ball across the face of a run from Williams, and the latter’s shot across the face of the goal missed the far post by inches.

Half Time: Lye 1 Alvechurch 0

The second half belonged to the home side, and within three minutes Church’s task had grown immense as the home side doubled their lead. A ball into the edge of the box to Anslow, and his quick turn brought him into contact with Xavier’s trailing leg, and claimed a penalty kick which was duly awarded. Anslow converted confidently to the right side of the goal giving Edwards no chance.

On 55 an angled effort from Shilvock was touched over by Edwards and from the ensuing corner which was only half cleared the same player demanded an excellent full length save from the Church keeper to deal with a wickedly deflected shot.

But on 57 resistance was over as Church conceded a soft third. A far post corner was nodded in from close range by Jevons with the ball squirming through Edwards’ grasp and in.

Edwards beats away another effort on 63 as Lye came again in waves against a beleaguered defence, as it was looking increasingly like a question of how many the home side would get.

On 70, Williams was cautioned for a late tackle on Evans that forced the Church front man off, being replaced by Woolley.

It was all over on 78 when Overfield found space on the left, and his deep lofted cross was smartly volleyed in at the far post by the unmarked Anslow, again giving the exposed Edwards no chance.