Coleshill Town 0 v 2 Alvechurch

[Alan Beckett]

Tuesday 6th August 2013
Midland Alliance
Coleshill Town 0 v 2 Alvechurch
Scorers for Church: Joe Wright, Jamie Spencer.

Attendance:93.

Team: Paul Hathaway, Leon Weller, Dan Dineen, Luke Edwards, Danny Douglas, Danny Charlton (Nick Ellis), Barry Fitzharris, Jon Powis, Scott James (Chris Gumery), Jordan Archer (Lloyd), Connor Leek. Subs not used Neil Kiching, Jack Hullin.

The saying "Never Change A Winning Side" isn't always correct but after a 4-0 away win, the best opening day result since 1947, very few changes were expected. However, Manager Paul Casey decided to shuffle his squad and made four changes to the starting eleven. Nick Ellis, Chris Lloyd, Chris Gumery and Jack Hullin were all on the bench and in came Danny Douglas, Danny Charlton, Scott James and Jordan Archer. Alvechurch's academy side were always going to be a stiffer test than Gornal last Saturday, but this was a good game between two good sides. The Pack Meadow pitch is looking better than it has for many years and this helped to produce a thoroughly enjoyable game with some slick fast flowing football by both sides. As good as the visitors were it was the home team who were slowly getting the better of the game but a swift break found Alvechurch forward Joe Wright in oceans of space and he confidently hit a great strike beyond home keeper Paul Hathaway for the lead. Connor Leek was having an impressive game down the left wing and he provided crosses that should have brought some reward. Jon Powis, Luke Edwards and Danny Douglas all had chances to level the scores but the visitors defence held firm and at the other end Hathaway was made to work hard on several occasions and then on the stroke of half time Church should have extended their lead as Wright hit a volley that struck the bar and bounced on the line before being cleared.
Casey made two changes at the break, Ellis and Gumery coming on for James and Charlton. Again Coleshill started the better of the two teams but couldn't find the final ball and the Church keeper had a very quiet night. Coleshill took the game to Alvechurch without ever looking like scoring and Church made the game safe with another breakaway goal. Wright again the thorn in Coleshill's side but his strike was well saved by Hathaway only for Jamie Spencer to be on hand to force the ball home.
Unfortunately Alvechurch's Dominic Perkins suffered a double fracture of the leg. Everyone at Coleshill wish him a speedy recovery.