Alverchurch Updates

[DJ]

Southern League Premier Central – Saturday, 14th September 2024

Alvechurch 1 Halesowen Town 0

A wonderful late strike from on-loan 17 year old substitute Dan Shaw was just enough to give Alvechurch a narrow win, writes DJ.

With most other clubs on FA Cup duty, the Yeltz missed an opportunity to go top of the table and it was Alvechurch instead who took advantage to go top of the table with their third straight win.

Chances were at a premium in the first period with the Yeltz looking comfortable in defence. Krystian Pearce headed over the bar for Alvechurch in the 5th minute and Dan Sweeney fired wide after 18 minutes. For Halesowen, Kieren Donelly’s 29th minute looping header was collected by goalkeeper Ronnie Hollingshead and Donnelly then headed Reece Mitchell’s cross into the side-netting after 34 minutes. Just before the interval Donnelly headed into the goalkeeper’s hands from McKauley Manning’s free-kick.

The game remained tight in the second half as Sweeney’s effort went into the hands of veteran stand-in Halesowen goalkeeper Lewis Solly and Halesowen’s Josh Smile shot into the arms of Hollingshead early in the half. Halesowen survived a 69th minute goalmouth scramble when Archie Crowther’s effort hit the post from Pearce’s assist and the ball somehow stayed out with defender Reece Mitchell clearing. Solly then saved from Crowther in more late Alvechurch pressure.

Alvechurch snatched their 84th minute winner when SHAW whipped a brilliant curling shot into the top corner from over 25 yards out to finally beat Solly. In injury time, Halesowen substitute Finley Holmes struck narrowly wide in search of an equaliser.

Alvechurch: Ronnie Hollingshead; Krystian Pearce, David Solademi, Joe Willis, Dan Sweeney (Tyrone Barnett 88), Dylan Allen-Hadley, Ammar Dyer, Callum Sullivan, Kieran Wakefield (Sam Perry 28), Archie Crowther, Omari Sterling-James (Dan Shaw 75). Subs Not Used: Kamil Dudek, Daniele Reka

Halesowen Town: Lewis Solly; Jak Hickman, Reece Mitchell, Nat Kelly, Ryan Wynter (c), Ryan Wollacott, Josh Smile (Finley Holmes 87), Todd Parker, Kieren Donnelly, Ryan Boothe (Enock Lusiama 65), McKauley Manning (Conor Tee 78). Subs Not Used: Ben Cassidy, Dan Platt.

[TractionJackson]

I'm starting to think it might be time to start playing the ball on the ground. Or at the very least less than 20ft off it.

[Tranter78]

If I didn’t know any better and you told me that those two teams where 3rd and 4th from the bottom I would had no reason not to believe it. It’s a strange league so far. We are set up so we’re hard to beat which is never pretty to watch and it needs someone more clinical up top

[Yeltz7]

Well there are only 2 team averaging 2 goals a game in Sudbury and Telford and Alvechurch are top of the league scoring only nine goals in eight games, Not the best standard this year this league i reckon its there for the taking.

[Brightgoldenhaze]

We are set up so we’re hard to beat which is never pretty to watch and it needs someone more clinical up top

I think that's the Russ Penn way but you are exactly right, if we can't score then this season could be a long hard slog. For all the stick he got, much of it unwarranted, we haven't replaced Miracle.

[Scribbler]

Today’s game was like watching the “red lion v coach and horses “ on an awful pitch that most Sunday league teams could better… could barely drive home with a stiff neck, either caused by looking up the sloping pitch ,or by continually looking skyward following the ball !!! Both sides very poor … on the very odd occasion we actually strung a few passes together, on the deck, we actually had an end product of a shot or a cross….not enough of it..!! Instead long useless punts up the pitch, which at least KD and manning tried to challenge for… but as for Boothe… completely out of his depth… doesn’t bring anything to the party…and whenever he’s in the side your playing with ten men…. That’s every game… at least Enoch and holmes will give you effort and aggression as well as skill… how Boothe, or Yousef for that matter, start in front of them , is just beyond me…. Still think we need a class striker, but at least play the best of what you have got…. We desperately need to get back to playing football, on the deck, or at least trying…. Good players, like Parker, are just not getting involved in the game, where last season he was outstanding, carrying and distributing from the back and linking up with players going forward…. Surely we need to play like that ,,, rather than hopeful long balls up the park for 90 mins…
Wynter MOTM , for me… and Boothe could learn a thing or two from watching him ….

[BartleyYeltz]

Admittedly yesterday was only the 3rd time I’ve seen us this season, but throw in the 7/8 times last season and I’m really struggling to see what our vision is under Penn.
I think I’ve finally worked out our formation (a loosely 433) but as for style I have no idea apart from maybe Russ is a closet Wimbledon fan from the 80/90’s
Yesterday was an awful game of football to watch, I get the gripes about the slope but all we did 2nd half was continually lump it down to the bottom left dip. Absolutely nothing came down the right hand side at all.
While we did cope very well at the back with their height and strength (Wynter was brilliant and won everything) we create very little. Everyone knows we very light up top but if Alvechurch can pay a reported £900 a game for the likes of Sweeny on gates if 2 men & dog what and where are we scouting.
For me we are undoubtedly weaker than last season and yes while league position isn’t to bad at the moment I feel
It’s gonna be a bit of a hard slog this season. Everyone is beating each other at the moment with no standout side this could be a real chance to try and set our stool out cement ourselves in the top 6.

This is by no means an anti Penn post I’m just struggling to see what his plan is and my view we’ve had a wasted summer and pre season.

[RobYeltz]

Others on here have commented on how dreadful a game it was yesterday, against Banbury in midweek it was a good game of football, both teams tried to get it down and play on a nice big flat pitch. Yesterday all Alvechurch did was hoof it, play for set pieces and get the ball forward as quickly as they could at every opportunity, we ended up doing the same. The ball retention from both teams at one point yesterday was playground like. For around 5 minutes of the second half I counted both teams passes, neither team could make more than four passes to a team mate before the opposition had the ball. The pitch doesn't help of course, especially when it feels like you're kicking up hill for both halves but we never got control of the game at all. We allowed the game to be played how they wanted it to be played. The substitution of Mini (unless injured) I couldn't see the sense in, he perhaps would have been better moving to LWB to accommodate bringing on Connor Tee but Mini was one player who was causing problems. We also ended up with Cassidy in midfield again for Parker, Cassidy clearly isn't a central midfielder and then to see us chasing the game we took off our other central midfielder whilst keeping three central defenders on the pitch? As for Boothe, I can see why Penn started him, scored the other night, scored at Alvechurch last season but honestly this area needs addressing quickly. If we have aspirations of getting in the play off places then we need much better. Fin Holmes, came to us with the idea of getting game time, he's started one game in the FA Cup at Redditch, it remains to be seen if he will stay longer with us, I would imagine if I was Solihull I would be wanting him going somewhere where he can develop, this won't be at Halesowen if he's not getting time on the pitch over Ryan Booth and Yusef.
On another note, how the hell does Alvechurch pass the required ground grading?

[Rich]

Penn certainly has set up a very good back line and the Bedford game aside we dont look like conceding. I am really impressed with the back 3 and Wynter is thriving in his role.
I know I said it before but oh for Hayward in the middle. We need that bite (and bit of height) to set us going forward.
Mini looks a danger with his runs. Not sure is in his best place and would like him in a wide role getting more involved.
Cassidy as has been said looks a really good wing back not a midfielder but the loss of Flanaghan and a small squad may be forcing him here.
Up front!!!! Enock looks our best bet against no real challengers but why oh why is Holmes not getting more game time. If we dont manage to keep him for another loan spell I see it as a big chance wasted.
We have points on the board so no panic but need to get some goals as cant keep relying on our defence to keep us in games.
3 big home games ahead, so chance to build some momentum.
Up the Yeltz!!!

[drummyb]

The games improving. I think someone's going to pinch this. And a great save Solly

Bloody prophetic that was!!