Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central
Lye Meadow
Tuesday 26 September 2023
by Max Passantino
Leamington’s unbeaten league run ended at six games, with a one goal defeat in Worcestershire at managerless Alvechurch.
Leamington started the game the brightest and Ewan Williams came close after seven minutes, being played through one on one, a strong hand needed from Bermudan international Dale Eve to deny him.
The first half passed with no talking points, Williams’ effort being the only shot up until the 36th minute when Adam Walker saw a snap shot deflected over the bar with the resulting corner coming to nothing.
Callum Hawkins was called into action for the first time in first half injury time, collapsing on a tame strike from the edge of the box before the referee called an end on a dull first half at Lye Meadow.
Paul Holleran’s side has been known as a second half team this season, but their second half did not get off to a good start as the hybrid hosts took the lead. Ben Cassidy was left free down the Church right hand side and he made no mistake in rifling a shot past Callum Hawkins, via Jack Lane’s toe, and into the net.
It was almost two minutes after, Cassidy again the culprit but Hawkins was easily able to catch the mis hit lob.
Leamington woke up and the second half sprung into action. The refereeing woes of the last few weeks continued, as Brakes were denied what looked a stonewall handball penalty before the man in the middle didn’t see an off the ball incident that left Ewan Williams in a heap on the ground.
The pressure continued, Devon Kelly-Evans almost finished off a wonderful move that saw Leamington cut through the Church defence but once again the final ball lacked accuracy and conviction.
It looked as if the visitors were to get any joy, it would come through the right hand side. Dan Meredith ran across the top of the hill at that side of the pitch, only to see his shot deflected and saved by Eve.
Callum Hawkins was called into action as Leamington ran themselves into trouble. Devon Kelly-Evans tried to do too much with the ball on the edge of his own penalty box, losing out to a high pressing Church attack but the effort was slow and easy for Hawkins.
The 120 visiting fans were getting increasingly annoyed as another corner failed to beat the first man, but it was another type of cross that saw them all with their heads in hands. Dan Meredith again attacked Alvechurch’s left back to success, his ball into the box pin point on the head of Ewan Williams who headed just over.
As the clock ticked towards 90, Tyrone Barnett made clear contact with a cross only to see his bullet header hit the crossbar.
Alvechurch successfully kept the ball in the corner for the six minutes of added time to the absolute delight of their players and staff to clinch a derby day victory.
Attendance: 291
Alvechurch: Dale Eve, Ben Cassidy, Ethan Patterson, Abel Alabi, Mackenzie Lamb, Ammar Dyer, Jack Concannon, Jack Hallahan, Josh Dugmore ©, Jaanai Gordon, Kai Adan-George
Subs: 12 Oscar Barry, 13 Charlie Emery, 14 Yaw Nantwi-Ofosu, 15 Kobe Chong, 16 Josh Evans
Leamington: Callum Hawkins, Dan Meredith, Josh Quaynor, Jack Edwards (12 Callum Stewart, 73’), Theo Streete, Jack Lane, Ewan Williams, Adam Walker ©, Henry Landers (14 Joe Clarke, 86’), Tyrone Barnett, Devon Kelly-Evans
Subs not used: 13 Callum Smith, 15 Jiah Medrano, 16 Connor Taylor
Referee: Mr David Hinton
Assistant referees: Mr Adrian Hall, Mr Joshua Sudbury
Brakes Man of the Match: The Fans
