Lye Meadow, home of Alvechurch FC based in North East Worcestershire. They play their trade in the Southern League Premier Division. My short stay in London has come to an end but with it being Bank Holiday Monday, games are there for the taking! I’ll be taking a detour to Alvechurch before going home to meet Mr & Mrs Merry Miller for a local derby!! Bromsgrove Sporting the visitors today in the Red Recruitment Cup.
Breakfast at Trafalgar Square and straight off to the London Underground! Landed in London Euston and now off to Birmingham New Street! And now the short trip to Alvechurch! Half an hour to kick off and in we go! £10 to watch this Red Recruitment tie! Erm Alright… Straight into the bar and there he is!! The Merry Miller! And Mrs Merry Miller and her brother! Pin badge acquired! £4!
Kick Off! “GREEN ARMY!” A group of Bromsgrove fans behind the goal giving it a go today! A very flat start to the game with literally nothing happening… Don’t be 0-0 please! “My kitchen sink is bigger than this!” Bromsgrove fans not liking this ground I’m guessing. 19 minutes gone and Bromsgrove come forward, at last some action… They come down the right, played across goal, here’s Will Shorrock… The ball was played too hard and it hits his hand says the Referee and a free kick is given to Alvechurch.
28 minutes on the clock and Alvechurch come forward now, they have the ball on the left and the cross comes in, it goes over everyone and to the right of the box, the ball comes to Mason Birch who heads it for Tyrell Hamilton to shoot… Over… Good chance that!
38 minutes on the watch and now Bromsgrove come forward, Will Shorrock is played through and he shoots… The Alvechurch defence get there and block the shot away! A very flat first half ended 0-0 at half time. Me and the Merry Miller’s 29th game together, is this the first 0-0? It certainly looks that way with how that first half went…
Second half, still a flat game but for the fourth game running for me, it is fantastic to meet new groundhoppers at a match!!! 52 minutes gone and Bromsgrove come forward, a through ball is played to Jason Cowley, no flag here, 25 yards from goal and he goes for it early… OHHHH HE’S DONE IT!!!! WHAT A FINISH!!! He bends it into the top corner and there is me thinking why did you shoot…? The no goalless draw goes on for me and the Merry Miller!
The Bromsgrove fans loved that one! “Everywhere we go! We’re the Bromsgrove boys making all the noise! Everywhere we go!” Can the one Alvechurch fan with the horn spur the home team on? 55 minutes in and Alvechurch win a corner, it’s played short, the cross comes in, Ashanti Price with the header… Wide!
On the hour mark now and Alvechurch come forward again, the ball is played to Sam McLintock and he goes for the lob 20 yards out… OH HE’S HIT THE BAR… Did it go over the line? No says the Referee. So close!
70 minutes now and Bromsgrove come forward, a through ball to Jason Cowley but Ethan Patterson is there to clear… A late challenge on Patterson and Cowley is in trouble here! He’s already been booked, the Referee has given a second yellow and he is walking! “You’re not fit to Referee!” The cry from the Bromsgrove fans now.
The game has become flat again sadly with Alvechurch needing an equaliser, they come forward again in the last 10 minutes but unfortunately for them will not find that all important equaliser… Bromsgrove fans happy to hear the final whistle!
FT: Alvechurch 0-1 Bromsgrove Sporting
Ratings
- Atmosphere: 4/10 – The Bromsgrove fans behind the goal gave it a good go but the ground wasn’t rocking sadly, the Alvechurch fan with the horn also helped!
- The Ground: 9/10 – It’s a fantastic ground for this level! Picturesque, commentary box, outdoor bar and a good stand! My only criticism is that the pitch is on a horizontal slope… The club are planning to move grounds which means a future visit of that ground could be on the cards!
- Expense: 3/10 – £10 is a bit steep for this level I think… And the game was a very poor one sadly but at least it wasn’t 0-0!
- Overall Experience: 8/10 – A great day out all in all! Great to meet other groundhoppers at the ground and great to see the Merry Miller once again!
24/40