A CLOSE range strike in the 80th minute by substitute forward Michael Campbell sealed the Smedley Crooke Cup for Alvechurch.

Mick Preece's side were up against surprise finalists Burman Hi-Ton, from two divisions below in the Midland Combination in the blistering sun at the Beehive.

Church settled quickly and scored in the sixth minute after a slick pass put hitman Dean Meyrick through one on one with the Burman keeper. Meyrick stayed calm and lobbed the keeper from fully 30-yards.

Sweltering in the sun, Burman created few chances in the first half but should have equalised on the half-hour. Stand-in Alvechurch keeper Dan Lewis flapped at a corner and it needed the solid Church defence to scramble the ball clear.

Alvechurch, buoyed by their first effort, continued to pressure with possessed Brett Skinner running down the left wing at every opportunity.

Alvechurch should have gone further ahead when captain Matt Pugh put a free header from 10 yards over the Burman crossbar just before the break.

In the second half both teams began to feel the heat with the major chances continuing to fall to Alvechurch.

Meyrick missed a glorious opportunity to put the tie beyond Burman after 55 minutes, firing wide after being put clean through again.

Michael Campbell and Anthony Savery replaced James Preece and Jason Vann on 70 minutes for Church.

And, after 10 minutes on the pitch, Campbell managed to net a second after a storming run and pinpoint cross by Paul Court to the feet of the substitute who slotted home.

There was no way back for Burman who put in a courageous performance.