Alveston Bench Talk
Saturday 26 April 2003

Good afternoon to everyone for our last home game and penultimate fixture for the season. A warm welcome to everyone from Alveston for this bottom of the table encounter.

For anyone who managed to get down to Tally Ho for last Tuesday evening’s game with Leamington then nothing I now write can fully describe ‘what a good game of football it was’. Considering our form this season the result can only be described as a shock with the 3-2 defeat putting a severe dent in Leamington’s title hopes. Not only did we win, we thoroughly deserved to win and if we had done so by three clear goals it would not have been unjust.

We created chances galore in the first 20 minutes as Mark Delaney tore their back line apart with his pace, but unfortunately the quality of finishing did not match up to the approach play. Leamington then took the lead with a quality strike from 25 yards into the bottom corner. We tore back into them and Ollie Latchford equalised with an exquisite strike from 25 yards when he knocked the ball into the top corner from a direct free kick. The pace did not relent for the remainder of the half as we continued to edge the game.

Leamington started the second period strongly and whilst there were numerous penalty area scrambles they could not get a clear strike on goal as we defended resolutely. Unfortunately Leamington took the lead 20 minutes into the half when Richard Adams was dispossessed bringing the ball out of the defence and Leamington punished us by drilling a 20 yarder into the bottom corner. A few minutes later Gavin Smith had to leave the field with a cut above the eye following a clash of heads with Mark Langley.

Mark Bellingham came off the bench and ten minutes later rose to flick on the ball into the path of Mark Delaney who raced into the box and side footed past their keeper. It really was game on with ‘end to end’ football with us looking extremely dangerous on the break and creating all the better chances. We finally got our reward when Mark Delaney broke clear on the right, stepped inside a challenge and curled a beauty of a left footer into the top corner from 25 yards out.

We battled our way through 7 minutes of added time to take the points, which ensured that we stay in this league for next season. It was a superb performance from all the lads. The defence was resolute throughout and hardly gave a chance, the midfield chased and harried and then released some great passes into the paths of our strikers who troubled Leamington all night.

I would like to give a special mention to the players, committee and supporters of Leamington who conducted themselves in an excellent fashion despite their great disappointment. I would hope that we could conduct ourselves in a similar fashion when facing such a damaging result.

We are desperate to keep the momentum going through to the end of the season I would like to give my personal thanks to all those who have worked so hard on the committee side at the club to keep things going in these difficult times. John Black and myself have both decided to continue at the club and I have had lengthy discussions with all players. I have told them all that if they are not prepared to give a commitment of making themselves available for a minimum of 70% of games then their has to be a parting of the ways. It is going to take a collective effort of everyone to raise the club out of its current plight.

Neil Tiller and Lee Wharmby will both have recovered from their injuries and be back with the first team for next season. Paul Webb and Carl Hancox have stated that they are returning to the fold and there is a reasonable chance that Ollie Latchford may also return. Gagy Bedi has stated he is leaving Lye Town and wants to give it a shot with us next season their will also be some new faces. Centre back Paul Probert, formerly of Lye Town and Cradley Town is also joining us, as will be Steve Piearce, who is currently on contract with Hednesford Town and their top goalscorer with 26 goals. I have also been given the name of a nineteen year old lad who currently plays for Nantwich Town who will be joining the job in June and I am still chasing that one up.

Out of this seasons squad there are only a couple who are doubtful about their commitment to playing next season and I will be trying my hardest to get them down to pre-season training to see how it goes and whether all the above promises to play are fulfilled. If they are, we are going to have a pretty decent squad to select from for season 2003-2004.

Mick Rose will be stepping down as vice-chairman of the club and I am currently in discussion with two senior officers who have expressed an interest in joining the committee to give us some support. We are also endeavouring to get other people on board to support our current hardworking committee and additional efforts are being made to get increased sponsorship. I basically see next year as truly being a make or break one for the club and no stone is being left unturned in an effort to improve the overall set-up.

My thanks to all the players this year for their commitment and to Tony Workman who has done an invaluable job as my assistant, goalkeeping coach and sometime goalkeeper (with some great performances).

A special thanks may have to go to Brian Nunn as he may finally be hanging up his ‘receipt book’ for the club after his many invaluable years on the committee. ‘Our Brian’ has been a stalwart for the club and we wish him the very best if he finally packs it in. You never know, we still might get him to change his mind!

Enjoy the game and we look forward to seeing you all down here at Tally Ho for season 2003-2204.