Both sides went into this BetVictor Southern League Central clash at the PRG Stadium, Keys Park, on the back of convincing wins. Fourth placed Hednesford Town looking to build on their strong performance winning 3-0 at Stourbridge, while Alvechurch moved up to 11th following their confidence boosting five goal rout of Hitchin Town. The Church were further buoyed by the arrival of former Pitmen striker Lewis Archer from Guiseley to give further attacking options alongside last week’s hat trick hero Ryan Nesbitt.
The visitors made the brighter start to the game, missing a free header at the far post early on and having an effort ruled offside within the opening 15 minutes. The Pitmen struggled to get a foothold in the game, only threatening briefly when an in-swinging corner caused panic in the Church defence.
The sweltering conditions led to the referee calling a drinks break after 20 minutes.
Osebi Abadaki’s purposeful run and shot led to a corner for the Pitmen, while Daniel Platt in the home goal made a smart save from a free kick.
After 41 minutes Tom Elliott scored with a cool lob over Church keeper Bradley-Hurst to give the Pitmen the lead slightly against the run of play. There were shouts for a foul in the build up to the goal which were waved away by the referee. Alvechurch came close to an equaliser before the half time break when a goal kick slotted Ryan Nesbitt in on goal, however his shot went over the crossbar.
HT:1-0
Alvechurch began the second half in a determined fashion with a 70 yard run from John Atherton forcing a corner. It was Atherton again who would track back to defend after the Pitmen broke following the set piece. A double substitution on the hour mark saw Archer and Sauane enter the fray as the visitors tried to force their way back into the game.
Danny Glover took his season tally to four goals in as many games when he beat Church skipper Jamie Willets to the ball finishing with a header at the far post to double the lead for the Pitmen.
Kieran Morris put the result beyond doubt in the 82nd minute with a bullet header from a precise Elliott corner to give the Pitmen their second consecutive 3-0 win.
Hednesford Town: Platt, Curley, Griffiths, Bailey, Morris, Scott , Hallahan (Gatter 42), Abadaki (Reid 77) Glover, Elliott, K Wells
Subs not used: L Ezewele, Truslove, B Wells
Alvechurch FC: Bradley-Hurst, Morrison, Rowley, Goddard, Willets, Da Veiga Montiero, J Ezewele, Usher-Shipway (Okofor 76), Nesbitt, Roberts (Archer 61),Atherton (Sauane 61)
Subs not used: Ransome, Till
Attendance: 440 (and Bailey the Jack Russell)
