This was the first time these two teams had met in a competitive match and in the end the outfit from the Premier Division proved to be the superior on the night. With both clubs in tense promotion battles, this was a match that both would have preferred to delay but the large crowd were treated to a good display of football.
Sporting looked to be a bit quicker to start spending a fair amount of time in the 'Church half but with a well-organised defence to contend with and Sean Brain playing the lone striker, they offered little threat.
The Premier side gradually got into the game making the Rouslers to defend in numbers. Zack Foster forced a good save from Chris Jay, as did Luke Paskin, whilst Mark Smith's shot went just over the bar.
However it was not much later that the pressure paid off as Sporting conceded a corner that Mark Smith powerfully headed home on the 32nd minute.
Sporting though responded in the best way possible with a well-worked move involving Jake Willcox, and Reece Hewitt that saw Sean Brain agonisingly side-foot the resulting shot over the bar.
Not content with a one-goal lead, 'Church continued to push forward and the second came on 40 minutes when Jordan Nadat got behind the back four and pulled back a deadly cross to Ryan Winwood who easily smashed home from a few yards out.
After half-time Sporting manager Paul Smith clearly needed to improve his attacking options so brought on Connor Collins to help Brain up front.
Alvechurch looked to be content to sit on their lead and rely on breaks and could have got a third on 47 minutes when Nadat intercepted a poor back pass but Simon Fitter got a boot to the resulting shot and instead settled for a corner.
Sporting's attempt to get back into the match saw them resort more to the long-ball game but Alvechurch's skilful and physical back four mopped up most attempts though substitute Kyle Turner forced Paul Evans to tip over with 10 minutes to go.
However, as legs began to tire and Sporting pushed forward 'Church got a third goal but not before Fitter had made a succession of last-ditch tackles when the ball ran lose to Nadat who blasted past Jay from 12 yards out.
Turner nearly got a consolation for Sporting in added time but his looping header went just over the bar.
So disappointment for Sporting but a deserved victory for Alvechurch. As a final comment Sporting keeper Chris Jay summed up the game: "They were the better side and took their chances, no complaints".
Both teams now will resume their quest for promotion from their respective divisions.
Alvechurch: Paul Evans, Chris Field, Zack Foster, David Bellis (Capt), Mark Smith, Luke Paskin, Danny Ashton, Ryan Winwood (Jack Cresswell 90 mins), Jordan Nadat, Nathan White (Connor Deards 78 mins), Nick Wright (Sam Williams 65 mins).
Substitutes not used: Karl Edwards, Matthew Sargeant
Goals: Smith (32 mins), Winwood (40 mins), Nadat (85 mins)
Yellow: Winwood (72 mins).
Sporting: Chris Jay, Aaron Roberts, Jack Wilson (Jake Willcox 46 mins), Simon Fitter, Craig Jones (Capt.), Nathan Walker, Will Tibbetts, Reece Hewitt, Luke Dugmore, Josh Westwood (Connor Collins 46 mins), Sean Brain (Kyle Turner 63 mins).
Substitutes not used: Brendan Kelly, 'mit EminoÄŸlu.
Yellows: Roberts (39 mins), Jones (41 mins)
Referee: Mr M Amphlett
Assistants: Mr P Tyler, Mr D Pattison
Fourth Official: J Roskelly
Crowd: 504
Weather: Mild, dry.
Sporting MoM: Simon Fitter
Report: Phil Baker |