'Church continue great start

Three wins out of four for Alvechurch FC have heralded a much better start to a season for some time.

On Bank Holiday Monday, Blackheath were the latest opponents put to the sword, with a goal in each half, to give the Lye Meadow side a thoroughly deserved three points.

Both sides looked better attacking but the early stages suggested that a defensive mistake was more likely to produce a breakthrough than attacking design.

To support this, it was 34 minutes before the first clear opportunity was carved out. A stinging shot from Phil Cotterill was spilled by keeper Walwyn but he managed to recover to smother the second effort at the feet of the on-rushing Andy Hicks.

Dean Meyrick produced a clever trap and turned to create an opening for himself but his snap shot flew just wide.

It was, however, a piece of clever play that produced Alvechurch's opener.

A smart run from Cotterill down the right flank enabled him to produce a long lofted cross to the far post where last season's top scorer, Paul Court, pounced to head in from a tight angle and open this campaign's account.

The second half began brighter for both sides and Blackheath were always threatening on the break, although Inman had little to do.

An early chance fell to Meyrick, who latched onto a superb through ball from Hicks, but his shot across goal flashed just wide.

But Church's second goal came in similar fashion.

With 11 minutes to go, Dean Tilley this time provided the pass for Cotterill to run onto, beating the offside trap on the centre circle.

He showed a good turn of pace and then a cool head to turn the ball smartly past the advancing keeper to seal the points.

Nuneaton Griff 3, Alvechurch 0

Alvechurch ended being well outplayed in a game which they should have been in total charge of at half-time.

Nick Lemorte had a number of chances in the first half, including an effort as early as the third minute when he broke into the penalty area and his shot across goal screwed just wide.

A minute later, Lemorte's cross was volleyed just wide by Robert Powell.

With Alvechurch in control, the best chance, so far, fell to Lemorte, who shot wide as Gawman advanced from goal.

The 'Church danger man was again at the centre of the action after 21 minutes when he again shot across goal. Three minutes later, his shot was well taken by the keeper.

Although Nuneaton came more into the game towards half-time, Lemorte's screaming shot clipped the bar from 25 yards with five minutes of the half remaining.

The second half picked up as the first half had finished, with Nuneaton gradually taking more control of the game, especially in mid-field.

The deadlock was finally broken after 55 minutes when substitute Darren Wright's free kick was dropped by Dave Inman and Sahr Songue-m'Brilla was on hand to turn the ball into the net.

Spurred on by this, Nuneaton drove further forward with Bateman close with a header. Manager Mick Preece made a substitution in the 70th minute, with Brett Skinner replacing Paul Court.

In the 75th minute, Nuneaton secured the points when a long ball on the right flank found Mick Upton, who floated his shot over the head of Inman as he raced from goal.

A double substitution in the 77th minute saw Jason Vann and Phil Cotterill replace Andy Hicks and Nick Lemorte. Two minutes later Nuneaton completed the rout when a free kick on the left was headed home by Mick Upton.

On Saturday, Alvechurch are away to Romulus (ko 2.45pm) and on Tuesday they are at home to Kings Heath (ko 7.30pm)