Re: Alvechurch
Posted: 05 Dec 2018, 00:02
Halesowen Town 1 Alvechurch 1
Halesowen came agonisingly close to recording a much-needed win against high-flying and impressive Alvechurch.
The Yeltz introduced new signings Joel Taylor and Harry Higginson from Kidderminster, Callam Mendez-Jones from Hednesford and returning Dan Sweeney from Solihull for the first league meeting between the teams since 1977.
The visitors started brightly as Mitch Botfield fired wide after playing a neat one-two with Josh March in the 3rd minute and Andre Lindell’s shot was well saved by Kieran Boucher three minutes later.
But the Yeltz took a 10th minute lead when Taylor played a lovely cross-field ball from the left of midfield for Lewis REILLY to collect and side-step his defenders before hitting a low shot past former Yeltz goalkeeper Paul Evans. Liam Truslove then went close twice by striking a 14th minute half-volley just wide and firing a 20-yard free-kick just over the bar in the 25th minute.
Tom Turton drove over the bar in the 29th minute and hit another rising drive just over the bar seconds later for the Church. The hosts then suffered a blow when defender Mendez-Jones limped out of the game with what looked like a hamstring problem late in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Boucher did well to smother the ball in a crowded area and Asa Charlton made another of his many superb blocking tackles. Hard-working Halesowen continued to get bodies where it mattered and did well to maintain their lead for much of the game over an Alvechurch side who failed to make the most of their chances and were often restricted to long range efforts.
Kyle Morrison stabbed just wide in the 56th minute, Boucher made a good save after 65 minutes and Turton curled over the bar after 68 minutes. In a rare home attack, Truslove drove wide from 25 yards after 78 minutes. But Alvechurch’s pressure kept coming and a long range 85th minute shot from March was beaten away for a corner by Boucher. March struck wide again in the 89th minute and Ash Carter played in a 90th minute ball for Landell to poke wide.
Just when it seemed three points were indeed heading Halesowen’s way, ‘Church finally found a deserved equaliser in the 2nd minute of added time when a long free-kick was knocked on in the penalty area for MARCH to thump home. The final kick of the match almost brought a winner but Josh Ezewele slipped after finding space in the Halesowen area.
Halesowen Town: Kieran Boucher; Ivor Lawton, Asa Charlton, Callam Mendez-Jones (Harry Higginson 42), Kieran Morris, Danny Bragoli (c), Callum Coyle, Liam Truslove (Jack Kelly 80), Dan Sweeney, Lewis Reilly, Joel Taylor. Subs Not Used: Joab Wheatley, Sam Tonks, Dominic Hill (GK).
Alvechurch: Paul Evans; Josh Ezewele, Zack Foster (Jamie Willets 83), Tom Turton, Kyle Morrison (c), Ash Carter, Dave Bellis, Mitch Botfield, Andre Landell, Luke Yates (Kieran Cook 80), Josh March. Subs Not Used: Ryan Winwood, Theo Llewellyn, Matt Sargeant (GK).
Referee: Steve Durnall Attendance: 406
Booked: Bragoli (37), Morris (56)
‘Tulleys Print’ HTFC Man of the Match selected by Fixed Wheel Brewery: Dan Sweeney
Halesowen came agonisingly close to recording a much-needed win against high-flying and impressive Alvechurch.
The Yeltz introduced new signings Joel Taylor and Harry Higginson from Kidderminster, Callam Mendez-Jones from Hednesford and returning Dan Sweeney from Solihull for the first league meeting between the teams since 1977.
The visitors started brightly as Mitch Botfield fired wide after playing a neat one-two with Josh March in the 3rd minute and Andre Lindell’s shot was well saved by Kieran Boucher three minutes later.
But the Yeltz took a 10th minute lead when Taylor played a lovely cross-field ball from the left of midfield for Lewis REILLY to collect and side-step his defenders before hitting a low shot past former Yeltz goalkeeper Paul Evans. Liam Truslove then went close twice by striking a 14th minute half-volley just wide and firing a 20-yard free-kick just over the bar in the 25th minute.
Tom Turton drove over the bar in the 29th minute and hit another rising drive just over the bar seconds later for the Church. The hosts then suffered a blow when defender Mendez-Jones limped out of the game with what looked like a hamstring problem late in the first half.
At the start of the second half, Boucher did well to smother the ball in a crowded area and Asa Charlton made another of his many superb blocking tackles. Hard-working Halesowen continued to get bodies where it mattered and did well to maintain their lead for much of the game over an Alvechurch side who failed to make the most of their chances and were often restricted to long range efforts.
Kyle Morrison stabbed just wide in the 56th minute, Boucher made a good save after 65 minutes and Turton curled over the bar after 68 minutes. In a rare home attack, Truslove drove wide from 25 yards after 78 minutes. But Alvechurch’s pressure kept coming and a long range 85th minute shot from March was beaten away for a corner by Boucher. March struck wide again in the 89th minute and Ash Carter played in a 90th minute ball for Landell to poke wide.
Just when it seemed three points were indeed heading Halesowen’s way, ‘Church finally found a deserved equaliser in the 2nd minute of added time when a long free-kick was knocked on in the penalty area for MARCH to thump home. The final kick of the match almost brought a winner but Josh Ezewele slipped after finding space in the Halesowen area.
Halesowen Town: Kieran Boucher; Ivor Lawton, Asa Charlton, Callam Mendez-Jones (Harry Higginson 42), Kieran Morris, Danny Bragoli (c), Callum Coyle, Liam Truslove (Jack Kelly 80), Dan Sweeney, Lewis Reilly, Joel Taylor. Subs Not Used: Joab Wheatley, Sam Tonks, Dominic Hill (GK).
Alvechurch: Paul Evans; Josh Ezewele, Zack Foster (Jamie Willets 83), Tom Turton, Kyle Morrison (c), Ash Carter, Dave Bellis, Mitch Botfield, Andre Landell, Luke Yates (Kieran Cook 80), Josh March. Subs Not Used: Ryan Winwood, Theo Llewellyn, Matt Sargeant (GK).
Referee: Steve Durnall Attendance: 406
Booked: Bragoli (37), Morris (56)
‘Tulleys Print’ HTFC Man of the Match selected by Fixed Wheel Brewery: Dan Sweeney