MIDLAND FOOTBALL COMBINATION
PREMIER DIVISION

Alveston (0) 3 West Midlands Police (3) 4

West Mids romped to a 3-0 lead in the first 30 minutes, but Alveston recovered to pull it back to 3-2. An own goal from a corner enabled the Police to increase their lead, only for another own goal at the other end which gave the home side some hope of salvaging something from the game in an exciting last few minutes.

The Police started well with Michael Mason, Steve Piearce and Mark Bellingham attacking the Alveston defence. In the sixth minute, Steve Piearce's fierce shot was blocked by Alveston keeper Richard Layton but he picked up the loose ball and hammered it home on his league debut for the Police.

With just sixteen minutes on the clock, Mark Bellingham crashed in a left foot drive from 25 yards. Ten minutes later Steve Piearce was pulled back in the box as he tried to get on the end of a Mick Mason cross and Mark Bellingham made no mistake with the resultant spot kick to put the visitors 3-0 up.

Alveston pulled a goal back before half-time with Dan Hodgkins chipping Police keeper Ross Bate and Michael Glynn pulled another goal back early in the second period with a deflected long-range shot.

With the home side now searching for the equaliser it was West Mids who found the back of the net after an Ollie Latchford shot was pushed out for a corner and Mason's corner kick was deflected into the net by an Alveston defender. Straight after the restart, Alveston made it 4-3 as the Police conceded an own goal. The last few minutes of the game provided some exciting attacking football by both teams but West Mids came away with an opening day win to kick off their season in fine style.

MAN OF THE MATCH - MARK BELLINGHAM