Rahis Nabi’s superb free-kick gave Alvechurch a derby day victory over Halesowen Town.

Both teams came into the game looking for three points for different reasons. Halesowen currently sit in the bottom three, while Alvechurch were looking to make ground on the play-off places.

However, Nabi’s first goal for Alvechurch on the stroke of half-time gave them a deserved win. The first half saw a pyshical battle between the two side’s with little chances. Zack Foster forced Daniel Platt into a save from 25 yards out while Daniele Bragon fired wide.

Andre Landell then headed the ball into the net, before the goal was bizarrely ruled out for a foul in a decision which angered the home side. However, in the 45th minute, Nabi curled home a free-kick to give Ian Long’s side the lead.

The second half saw Halesowen go down to ten men when Callam Mendez-Jones was shown a second yellow card for an altercation with Josh March.

This led to Alvechurch creating a number of chances. Mitch Botfield and Lee Chilton fired wide while March hit the post with a stunning strike, before firing over.

Despite these chances, Halesowen nearly grabbed an equaliser late on, but substitute Lee Hughes could only fire over the bar.

The win means that it is now two wins in a row for Alvechurch and see’s them move up to 39 points for the season, meaning that they are only out of the play-off places on goal difference. They will be looking for the three points again next week when they travel to St Neots Town.