Caught in a trap

City arrived at Alvechurch looking forward to only their second match since the end of November but on a heavy, tight pitch produced a disappointing performance that fell right into their opponents’ hands.

The visitors started reasonably brightly and created the first opportunity of the game when a Jamie Neath shot was blocked after good work by Will Cottell. The home defence was then split open on a couple of occasions as through balls just failed to reach their intended targets.

The game turned when City failed to deal with a long throw which ended up in the net – the referee giving a goal and over-ruling claims by the visiting defence that the ball hadn’t been touched after leaving the thrower's hands.

Once in the lead, the hosts were galvanised and they gradually got the upper hand putting the City under pressure with a steady stream of set-pieces – indeed they nearly extended their lead with a free-kick that flashed narrowly wide at the start of Q2.

With Church’s two central defenders dominant and easily mopping up any forward forays, City struggled to impose their game, retain possession and build any momentum against their hard-working opponents. Alex Fenn had cleared two efforts off the line in quick succession before they finally managed to break the home backline from a free-kick of their own that was flicked onto Cottell who lifted the ball over the advancing keeper but agonisingly over the bar. At the other end, Josh Reed-Jones did well to tip over a fierce drive.

Q3 was City’s best of the game and they went close to grabbing an equaliser on two occasions. Pressure saw a backpass fall short and seized upon by Neath, who advanced but shot just over the angle. A superb delivery from a Cottell free-kick on the right was then met by a glancing header by Fenn that went inches wide of the far post with the keeper beaten.

Chasing the game, City changed their formation in the final quarter but any chances of grabbing at least a point were ended when Church broke down the left and crossed to their striker who converted at the second attempt.

Disappointment for City but a deserved second win of the season for the home side.