Village Sport
Josh March heads towards goal in the 2-0 win over Brocton. Photos/ Steve Evans
Right: Josh tussles with
Brocton’s Harry Flowers, grandson of Wolves and England player Ron.
Points are piling up A
lvechurch FC’s promotion dream is still very much alive as they remain clear at the top of the table – although the teams below them are stacking up games in hand. After a less-than-auspicious start to the season, losing three and drawing five of their first 15 matches as well as exiting the FA Cup and Vase in the early rounds, the Churchmen turned things around in mid-October with a vital win over title rivals Westfields, and haven’t looked back since. A particularly joyful event was their
New Year’s Eve victory against Quorn – any supporter turning up late to Lye Meadow would have missed the first three goals, which rattled in during the opening seven minutes. The eventual 5–0 result matched ’Church’s win in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. Two of the goals were scored by Josh March, who is joint top scorer in the league with 27 goals in 31 ap- pearances. AFC, who currently play at step 5 (the ninth division of the Football League), have already put in their ap- plication to play at step 4, should they clinch the title in May. Lye Meadow already meets the standard required for promotion, having been passed fit last year even though ’Church lost out to Hereford in the title race.
54 The Village February 2017
Alvechurch FC are leading the pack as promotion hopes rise. This season, Lye Town – currently
second in the league – have not applied for promotion, so if they win the league, the second-place club would be promoted subject to ground approval. As we went to press, Alvechurch
were scheduled to meet Westfields in the second round of the Polymac Packaging League Cup. This fixture had been postponed three times, two of which were due to a waterlogged pitch. Lye Town have been waiting patiently to face the eventual win- ners, on a date to be arranged. AFC are also in action in the JW
Hunt Cup, playing Brocton on Jan 31.
l Centre-back Jamie Willetts has committed his immediate future to AFC, having joined earlier in the sea- son from Hereford. Jamie was a major part of the defence that conceded just three goals during ’Church’s win- ning streak of 11 games. Welsh Premier team Aberystwyth
offered Jamie an opportunity to play in the Welsh League, with the chance of playing in the Europa League, but
after much soul-searching pledged his future to Alvechurch until at least the end of the season. ’Church have been joined by new goalkeeper Lewis Fenney, who has had previous experience at Leam- ington and Boldmere St Michaels. Having made his debut in the 5–0 win against Quorn, Lewis will be compet- ing with regular keeper Paul Evans for the number 1 shirt.
l AFC’s website – www.pitchero. com/clubs/alvechurch – now features a club shop selling replica home and away kits, tracksuits, training kits and coats. Club scarves are also available from the ground at £8 – just ask an of- ficial of the club if you are interested.
For more information or sponsorship enquiries, please contact Trevor Ball at
saintsarehot2@btinternet.com
FIXTURES (all league games unless stated)
Tues Jan 31 7.45pm Brocton (H) JW Hunt Cup
Sat Feb 4 3pm Walsall Wood (H) Sat Feb 18 3pm Lye Town (A)
Sat Feb 25 3pm Loughboro Uni (A) Sat Mar 4 3pm Long Eaton Utd (H)
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