SOUTHERN LEAGUE, PREMIER CENTRAL
Lye Meadow, Redditch Road, Alvechurch, B48 7RS
1st April, 2023 3:00 pm Kick-Off
Today I'm heading south down to Worcestershire, to the village of Alvechurch to see their match against Ilkeston Town, who still have a very slim chance of making the play-offs but to do this, they will probably have to win all their remaining league games. Alvechurch are heading for mid-table respectability after languishing in the bottom half of the table due to a back log of fixtures induced by a good run in the F.A. Cup, reaching the 2nd Round and eventually going down 1-2 at Forest Green Rovers.
This will be my first visit to Lye Meadow for about 12 years, when I witnessed their last league game of the season in the then Midland Alliance, Premier Division, losing 0-9 to a rampant Coalville Town, who were crowned league champions that day.
The forecast is for a cloudy day when I set out on my journey. I make it to Alvechurch rail station with no problems and I decide to have a quick look at the Worcester - Birmingham canal that is close by.
There is a marina and boat yard located here, with a shop for supplies for passing boats.
I then make my way back past the rail station and 15 minutes later arrive in the village square where I decide to have a meal in a nearby cafe. It's not until I sit down after ordering a toasted sandwich and coffee, that I see across the road is the Tudor Rose, fish & chip shop, which would probably have been better value.
Some of the visiting Ilkeston supporters are outside the shop tucking into their takeaway meals. The cafe I'm in is nice enough but the meal is not a filling one and when I eventually make it to the ground, order a bacon bap to curb my hunger pangs.
Lye Meadow is on the southern edge of this village and it feels like you are in the countryside.
When I get to the turnstile, there are plenty of visiting supporters waiting to get in and it's good to see that they are willing to travel this distance to follow their team.
Before the game starts, I decide to stand on the western side of the ground at first where the main stand is located. On the other side are the team dug-outs, with the club house and changing rooms behind. At the northern end, there is a smaller stand for standing spectators while there is no cover behind the goal at the southern end of the ground.
Alvechurch F.C., despite being a village team, have a great history and in 1974 even managed to reach the 3rd Round of the F.A. Cup before losing to Bradford City. One of their former players, a certain Alan Smith of Arsenal fame even scored the winning goal in their 1994 European Cup Winners Cup team.
When the teams come out, they are both decked out in their usual first team colours. Alvechurch in their yellow shirts, black shorts and yellow & black socks while Ilkeston Town are in their red & white striped shirts, white shorts & socks.
Both teams go close to scoring in the early stages, with the keeper's making smart saves, Jezeph for the hosts and Foulkes for the visitors.
(Alvechurch's , Ben Cassidy, sees his effort fizz over the bar)
It's Ilkeston who take the lead in the 16th minute, when from a corner on the left, Finn Delap sees his effort come back off the bar and Remaye Campbell is there to slot it home into the net.
Alvechurch come back strongly and their No.11, Jamie Soule is twice denied by Harrison Foulkes.
In the 28th minute, Ilkeston have a good shot from the left blocked by Dan Jezeph and just 2 minutes their experienced No.9, Leroy Lita, misses a good chance with a header from a cross from the right. It just grazes his forehead and goes wide.
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