CHURCH CAN PEAL BELLS!
Sporting boss Kelly breaks his vow over the officials
DE L I G H T E D Alvechurch boss Ian Long admitted it was great feeling to get one over North Worcestershire rivals Bromsgrove Sporting to book a place in the first qualifying round.
Higher-ranked Church managed to come out on top in a seven-goal thriller at Lye Meadow, thanks to two penalties from Tom Turton and strikes from Luke Yates and Josh March.
“I’m over the moon with the result,” said Long.
“Sporting are a bigger club than us as they have a bigger fan base and a bigger budget, so they were always going to give us a run for our money.
“They are a side which has enjoyed two back-toback promotions and are used to winning.
“It’s great we that we managed to get one over on them.”
The game burst into life after just eight minutes when Josh Quaynor bagged his first-ever Sporting goal with a fizzing effort from distance which flew into the top left-hand corner.
However, Sporting’s lead did not last a minute when Josh March's low strike somehow squeezed past Reece Francis and into the back of the net.
Church completed the comeback with just 11 minutes on the clock when Luke Yates swept home from Keiron Cook’s cross.
Sporting were then awarded a penalty just seven minutes later.
Church skipper Jamie Willetts brought down Jason Cowley and Richard Gregory smashed the ball into the bottom left-hand corner from 12 yards to level the scores.
The game continued to ebb and flow but both sides went into the break level.
The second half proved to be a more cagey affair, but Church were awarded their first penalty in the 65th minute.
Daniel Morris brought down Mitch Botfield in the area. Turton stepped up and smashed the ball down the middle to put the hosts ahead for a second time.
Sporting were agonisingly close to levelling just eight minutes later.
Craig Jones’ header cannoned off the post, with the follow-up from Aaron
Roberts blocked on the line.
Roberts then became the villain at the other end with 11 minutes remaining when he fouled March in the area, with Turton once again making no mistake from the spot to make it 4-2.
Sporting set up a tense finale when Nathan Hayward prodded home after 88 minutes, but Church held on to claim victory.
Disappointed Sporting boss Brendan Kelly said: “Since I took over I have never said a bad word about officials before, but I believe they cost us.
“I am more frustrated with them than the result because, if the officials had got some of the decisions right, it would have been a very different game.”