Midland Football League

Premier Division

Tuesday 10th January 2017

Tividale FC 1-4 Alvechurch FC

Late strikes land leaders the points

Due to a mixture of work commitments, suspensions and injuries once again manager Dave King had to ring the changes for a game against the team that many predict will be champions come May.

There is no argument that on past performances the visitors were not as fluent tonight. But the battling performance from this young Tividale may have had something to do with it and on another day those last eight minutes could have been a different story.

Alvechurch’s striker Daniel Dubidat had the first chance of the game after 6 minutes but Tividale keeper Luke Kriskinans saved well with his legs. Tividale had a shout for a penalty when after a neat one two with Dan Smith, Craig Stevens went down in the area under a challenge by Alvechurch’s Ryan Winwood but the referee waived play on. Alvechurch then had a great chance when a Josh Marsh header was cleared off the line. Tividale could count themselves a little unfortunate in the way they went behind on 39 minutes. Somehow the impressive Babucar Sauane lost the ball and went down, got up and found the ball back at his feet. He then played in March and although his shot was saved the rebound came straight back at him and he made no mistake the second time.

Tividale hit straight back, first Lewis McPike flashed a ball across the Church box that Smith just failed to get onto the end of. But the home side were only behind for 2 minutes when they equalised. Church’s defender Andy Parsons made a hash of a clearance and debutant Elliot Hartley cashed in on it, driving into the box before picking out an unmarked Liam McPike at the far post and he steadied himself before driving the ball home. Church had the last effort of the half when Kriskinans was forced to turn away a Winwood effort

Half Time:-Tividale FC 1-4 Alvechurch

Tividale fell behind again on 47 minutes when from a Ryun Edmunds free kick the home side failed to clear and Suaune did well to put the ball back into the box. Dubidat was the first to react and although initially saved by Kriskinans, the keeper could not gather it cleanly and the ball rolled out to a thankful Church centre back Jamie Willetts who stabbed the ball home.

Apart from a long range Zack Foster shot on 50 minutes the game  then went into a quite period until on 65 minutes when from a long throw from Tividale full back Chris Hill , was headed on by substitute Chris Bladen, youngster Harvey Walker  was the first to react to the loose ball and he fired in a great effort that the visiting keeper Lewis Fenney could only parry, but his captain Parsons was on hand to hack the ball clear. After more indecision in the Tividale defence, Church sub Mike Wardle hit a crisp volley that he was unable to keep down.

With 8 minutes to go and the game still in the balance. Marsh was brought down in the box by Tividale right back Tom Hurdman and the Church hot shot made no mistake from the spot sending Kriskinans the wrong way. Church hit a fourth with four minutes to go when Suaune headed home a Foster free kick,

Full Time:-Tividale FC 1-4 Alvechurch FC

Tividale FC:- 1. Luke Kriskinans, 2. Tom Hurdman, 3. Chris Hill, 4. Karl Gardner (14. Jordan Potter 80), 5. Freddie Watts, 6. Craig Stevens, 7. Lewis McPike, 8. Shane Grainger (12. Chris Bladen 60), 9. Dan Smith , 10. Harvey Walker, 11. Elliot Walters (16. Seegan Seebah 77).

Unused Subs:-15. Matt Preston, 17. Liam Williams.