Coventry Sphinx 0 Alvechurch 1

MICHAEL Campbell's solitary second half strike was enough to give Alvechurch all three points after they had survived a first half battering at the hands of their East Midlands rivals.

It was the home side who made all the early running with a string of chances going begging against an Alvechurch side that looked uncharacteristically unsettled.

McNulty and Martin both had good chances as the home side looked sharper and hungrier than their visitors, but Dave Inman's goal held out and the half-time equality gave Mick Preece much to work on at the break to produce a totally different performance in the second period.

In fact it took only three minutes of the second half for Alvechurch to stun their hosts with a smart goal. Richard Stocks crossed from the right flank and Campbell was on hand, having intelligently evaded Sphinx's advancing defensive line, to volley in from 10 yards.

Alvechurch settled into a more dominant role as the half wore on, and Campbell and Stocks combined again, but Stocks was unable to finish Campbell's surging run, with his 20-yard shot rising just over the bar. Dave Inman played an important part too, saving superbly at the feet of Cummins after Sphinx had engineered a rare break, whilst at the other end the ball was headed clear from a crowded goal line as Alvechurch pressed for a decisive second goal.

l Alvechurch Reserves sit proudly on top of Division Three following their fourth win in five games at the weekend. Paul Oakes' unbeaten side demolished Enville 4-1, with goals from Mark Keys, Kevin Oakes and two from Michael Stewart, with the visitors replying with a late consolation. Andrew Johnson made an impressive debut.