Village Sport


Flying start for AFC T


Alvechurch FC get their league and cup season underway.


he FA Cup came to Alvechurch FC in August for a photo shoot (see page 7) – and a few days


later, the team kept themselves in the running to get their hands on the tro- phy for real, beating Hanley Town in the competition’s preliminary round. In a potentially tricky tie, top scorer


Josh March netted on either side of half time to book a place in the FA Cup’s first qualifying round – they will play either Sporting Khalsa or Market Drayton Town away on Saturday September 2. Church also have the Integro


League Cup to look forward to, hav- ing been drawn away to Stourbridge FC in the first round, scheduled for Monday October 16. Meanwhile, the league season got


off to a flyer with a 3–1 home win over Leek Town. Returning to Step 4 football after a 25-year gap, it took just 13 minutes for the newcomers to make their mark as Tom Turton’s corner was headed on by March, and youngster Luke Yates swept the ball in from ten yards.


AFC bossed the first half with a


high tempo and Leek were restricted to a couple of half chances that left the ’Church goal untroubled. Yates almost claimed a second on 36 minutes, but it was March who did so early in the second half – a sublime goal, curling in a shot from 20 yards after being played through by Turton. The latter got himself on the


scoresheet on 69 minutes, convert- ing a penalty after Jack Cresswell was tripped by a trailing leg. Leek Town’s Tim Grice steered in a 74th-minute free kick from twelve yards to reduce the arrears, but it was a mere consolation. Insult was added to injury for the visitors with five min- utes remaining when their captain, Chadwick, was red-carded after a lunging tackle on Dave Bellis.


54


’Church also had chance to reflect on last season’s glories when the vice-chairman of Bromsgrove District Council, Caroline Spencer, pre- sented the club with a certificate of achievement for winning the Midland Football League championship, the League Cup and the JW Hunt Cup. Coun Spencer passed on the coun-


cil’s thanks to officers, coaches, phys- ios and players for their outstanding work over the past year.


l Manager Ian Long will be reunited with another member of his league- winning 2013/14 Tividale squad when midfielder Mitch Botfield joins AFC. Mitch has been on a football scholar- ship in America but will join up with the Alvechurch team on his return. A recent recruit, centre-back Ashley


Carter, has become the second player to sign a contract at Lye Meadow. Ashley joined in the close season from Kidderminster Harriers, and de- spite interest from other clubs he has committed to AFC for the season.


The Village September 2017


Jamie Willetts with Coun Spencer


Josh March


celebrates his goal against Leek Town. (Photos/ Steve Evans)


However, treble-winning midfielder


Reece Shilvock has decided to leave Lye Meadow due to work commit- ments. Reece joined last season from Stourport Swifts and won the goal of the season award for his 30-yard screamer against Highgate in the League Cup semi-final. Due to the ex- tra travelling since being promoted, Reece felt unable to commit fully to the club and decided to move on. Former Alvechurch captain and


stalwart Mark Smith has joined Worcester City, competing in the Midland Premier League against the likes of local rivals Bromsgrove Sport- ing, Rugby Town and Coleshill Town, in what promises to be a highly com- petitive league. Everyone at the club wishes both Reece and Mark well.


l For more info or sponsorship en- quiries, please contact Trevor Ball at saintsarehot2@btinternet.com or visit www.pitchero.com/clubs/alvechurch


FIXTURES League games unless stated


Tues Sep 5 7.45pm Basford Utd (H) Sat Sep 9 3pm Stocksbridge Park Steels (A)


Tues Sep 12 7.45pm Loughboro Dynamo (A) Sat Sep 16 3pm Carlton Town (H)


Weds Sep 20 7.45pm Corby Town (A) Sat Sep 23 3pm Stamford (H)


Sat Sep 30 3pm Peterboro Sports (A)


Tues Oct 3 7.45pm Market Drayton (H) Sat Oct 7 3pm Belper (A) FA Trophy


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