Johnson stars to thwart Church

HITCHIN gained a slightly fortuitous home point against an impressive Alvechurch side who opened with crisp and stylish attacking play.

An early corner from man of the match Tom Turton saw Michael Johnson save well but Hitchin made the most of a central free-kick outside the area with Charlie Smith firing home.

A further corner from Turton saw the sprightly Kieron Cook hit the crossbar with the visitors’ best chance of the half, with an equaliser now looking likely.

After the interval Alvechurch pressed purposefully and deservedly equalised after 51 minutes when Turton’s cunning through ball was snapped up by Josh Marsh who converted smartly.

The visitors began to dominate attacking play with Michael Johnson called upon to make vital saves.

Although restricted, Hitchin did have chances with Jack Green and Dan Webb firing just wide.

But it was the visitors who almost snatched a winner when a good bit of pressure saw substitute Aaron Birch’s header force Johnson into the best save of the match.