Alvechurch: Jezeph, Cassidy, Burton, Net0-Teixeira, Jones (Dugmore 33) Carter, Abbey (Edge 83) , Walker, Soule (Clayton-Phillips 67), Concannon, Hamilton subs not used: Waldron, Randle

Barwell: Wycherley, Flanagan, Bushaj, Brown-Hill, Rowley, Ward, Enoru, Edwards (Taylor 71), Davidson-Miller, Hickey, Kerr (Ndukwu 85) subs not used: Master.s, Master.D. Nassunculo

A full-bloodied encounter, that remained in the balance until late on, but Church’s second half performance probably warranted the three points in the final analysis.

Barwell were quick out of the blocks at the beginning of the game, and a first minute corner needed Jezeph to commend his box to quash the danger, and on a slick surface both sides then proceeded to ping the ball around at pace in search of an opener.
Ten minutes in, a shot from Walker from the edge of the box comes back off keeper Wycherley, and is scrambles behind for a corner.

A minute later, comes the opening goal. Clever interplay between Soule and Hamilton sees the former finally receive the ball in space, and he sweeps the ball low into the far corner of the Barwell goal from twelve yards to put Church one up.

On 20 minutes a good blocking save from Jezeph at his near post denies Davidson-Miller after he had burst through and into the Church box, and four minutes later, on the break, Enoru advances purposefully to the edge of the Church box, turns inside, and fires low past Jezeph from twelve yards to bring the scores level.

On 27 minutes Hickey fires a free kick over from the edge of the D and probably should have done better. And a strong chance for Church three minutes before the break when Hamilton wins a free kick right on the edge of the box, and Abbey takes, resulting in big shouts for handball from the wall – but waved away by the referee.

Half Time: Alvechurch 1 Barwell 1

The second half was played at a frantic pace. Efforts blocked in abundance, but not much to trouble either keeper.

As the half unfolded, Church became increasingly camped on the edge of the Barwell box, but cannot find a decisive pass to open up the defence for a clear strike on goal. One goal was going to decide this game – either way, but it seems to be Church who are going to be the more likely to succeed.

On 86 minutes Cassidy drills a cross in, which is cleared deep inside the Barwell box with Hamilton ready to pounce, resulting in a cornet=r that provided the decisive moment of the second half – and the winning goal. Concannon delivers the ball right under the Barwell bar, and keeper Wycherley fumbles the ball above his head, and it drops behind him and into the net to put the home side ahead.

It's a killer blow, but Church do not shrink into their shells, and as normal time runs down an overhead effort from Clayton-Phillips from close range screams just off target. Barwell wake up in a desperate attempt to salvage something from the game, and Church players put their bodies on the line to protect their lead in stoppage time, and protect it they do to see out the win.