Alvechurch Bench Talk

A warm welcome to everyone from Alvechurch for this early season fixture at Tally Ho! Last Saturday was certainly warm and not the ideal climate in which to kick off the season. Goals were a plenty as both our teams were involved in 3-3 draws. So is it a question of after the Lord Mayors show!

Our first half performance was extremely disappointing and I considered us fortunate to have crept in at the break only 2-1 down. The shape of our team was extremely poor and although both Massey Ferguson goals were extremely well hit both opportunities arose due to very poor defending. Kevin Ushers goals early in the half, was a typical goal poachers affair and a continuation of his fine early season finishing.

Mark Fogarty and I made a few changes at half time, which saw Lee Wharmby go to right back and Dave Blake introduced into the attack. Mike Mason returned to the right side of the midfield and Paul Webb stepped forward into midfield with Alex Holden swapping roles with him. The changes quickly worked in our favour with a considerable improvement in our play.

Midway through the half we scored twice from corners in the space of five minutes. First Russell Hullett bundled home a right wing corner from Ollie Latchford and then Dave Blake volleyed home from close range following a Paul Webb left wing corner. We conceded an equaliser with five minutes to go and then missed two very good opportunities to snatch all three points in the closing minutes.

Paul Webb was very influential last Saturday even though he is probably some way short of the fitness level that he would expect of himself. His leadership, organisation and experience will be vital to us this season and it is quite clear that he is a 'winner'.

Tonight sees the very welcome return of Lyndon Price to the club and there is a good chance that Andy Reece will have recovered from his neck injury, which saw him miss the opening game. Dave Blake did enough last Saturday to get a shirt for tonight and I hope to see a greatly improved performance from players who should be hungry to make their mark in the team. Darren Wilkinson and Jamie Evans will both be available for selection on Saturday following their return from holiday adding further competition for places.

The fitness of Carl Hancox and Gavin Smith is in doubt tonight and Russell Hulllet is unavailable due to work. I hope that you enjoy the game and look forward to seeing you all down here on Saturday for the game with Feckenham.