Alvechurch 5-0 Hitchin Town
Nesbitt scores hat-trick for five star Church
Ryan Nesbitt hit a hat-trick as Alvechurch picked up their first win off the season, and first competitive victory under Darren Byfield, by blowing away Hitchin Town.
Both sides came into the game with one point from six; but Church produced a brilliant display to secure the win. They started off fast with Javia Roberts and Kevin Monterio firing wide off the goal within the first minute. Church however, kept up their high intensity and took the lead after seven minutes; with Kyle Morrison getting on the end of Jamie Willets knock down to score.
Josh Ezewele then went on a brilliant run and forced a great double save from Joshua Mollison as Church continued to impress. Due to injuries Byfield gave a debut to 17-year old keeper Josh Bradley-Hurst and he impressed claiming Hitchin's crosses and saving comfortably from Leo Donnellan.
The home side then doubled their leas through sheer independent brilliance from John Atherton. The winger picked up the ball just past the half-way line and dribbled past a number of Hitchin players before slotting in for a stunning solo goal in front of the Lye Meadow faithful. Roberts then again fired wide off the post as Church ended the half strong.
Just like the first-half Alvechurch started the second fast and were three goals to the good after two minutes. Jordan Goddard led a brilliant counter-attack and played through Nesbitt who dinked the ball over Mollison and into the net. Mollison was then on hand to once again deny Ezwele after another great run.
However, the Hitchin keeper was at fault for the fourth goal; taking too much time on the ball and losing it to Nesbitt who finished superbly from a tight angle. Nesbitt then had the chance to complete his hat-trick after Kyle Rowley saw his goal line header cleared off the line by Jay Dowie's deliberate handball.
The Hitchin man was sent off and Nesbitt slotted home to complete his hat-trick. Church pushed for a sixth goal but could not find it; with substitute Miracle Okafor firing over after beating two men.
The result was a deserved one, with Alvechurch putting on a brilliant display; and Byfield will hope they can replicate it when they travel to Hednesford Town next week.