Monteiro Magic Sends Lambs to the Slaughter

Alvechurch made six changes from the midweek win over Barwell, but even so, and with Tuesday’s crucial FA Cup tie looming, the home side still found the spirit of the Kiddy win in despatching Tamworth to their first defeat of the season.

Alvechurch: Maher, Cassidy, Sephton, Brown-Hill, Hull, Willets, Birch.J (Birch 85), Chamberlain (McLean 76), Lloyd, Marselia (Cook 68), Monteiro
Subs not used: Hill, Hamilton

Tamworth: Singh, Hart (Tonks 76), Wilder, Beswick, Cullinane-Liburd, Rowe-Turner, McDonald, Forde, McDonagh (Gordon 46), Meikle (O’Connor 76), Tilt
Subs not used: Howkins, Armitage

Church registered their first home this calendar year, following quickly on the heels of Tuesday’s first league win in fifteen to catapult themselves up to 11th place in the table.

It was Kevin Monteiro’s first half stoppage time strike that proved to be the key difference between the two sides, and for the third time in eight days Church’s defence held out resolutely, limiting the visitors to only a handful of clear chances which were, largely, wasted with off-target efforts.

A first minute chance for Church came as a result of a poor clearance from keeper Singh, but Marselia sent his 30 yard effort over the vacant goal with the goal gaping.

On 3 minutes, a swift attacking move from Tamworth culminated with Meikle steering the ball into the Church side netting with some parts of the ground momentarily believing that it had hit the back of the net.

It was somewhat end to end at this point, and a great opening for Hull in front of the Tamworth goal, and a better connection with Brown-Hill’s inswinging corner should have seen Church take an early lead.

First save from either keeper can after 10 minutes when a Tamworth free kick saw Beswick force a good low save from Maher who watched the ball well as it came on target through a crowded box.

Brown-Hill did his job at the defensive end on 26 minutes when he pulled a great goal-saving block tackle after Wilder had drilled the ball dangerously across the face of the Church box.

Tamworth were perhaps creating more openings at this stage but there was no decisive end product, and Church were always looking dangerous on the counter.
A half chance for Marselia on 35 minutes as he beat his man 25 yards from goal, but he screwed his early shot high and wide without troubling Singh.

But the decisive chance of the game did finally arrive as the clock ticked over the forty-five minute mark. Monteiro broke from deep, and holding off two retreating defenders he faced up with the advancing Singh, and deftly chipped the ball over and past him into the far corner of the goal from the edge of the box.

Half Time: Alvechurch 1 Tamworth 0

The second half almost began explosively just five minutes in when Church had a trio of chances in the Tamworth area; three efforts on goal were blocked within the space of seconds, but the visiting goal survived any terminal damage.

Another half chance for the visitors on 54b minutes, but again Maher not troubled, when substitute Gordon slashed at a shot, sending the ball high and wide after being put in a good position by Tilt. Chamberlain sends a shot on target just before the hour mark after a good run from Monteiro, but the ball is again blocked away to safety.

Stalemate followed as both sides were able to contain the attacking threat of the other. Next clear chance came on 87 after Tamworth looked for a second wind to force an equaliser, but Forde blazed over from a good position.

Final chance went to the visitors in second half stoppage time as a Tonks in-swinging cross to the far post saw Wilder connect, but the defender can only divert the ball high over the Church bar, again without troubling Maher.