A new and exciting era starts this evening as Hednesford Town travel the short distance to Alvechurch for a Southern League Central Premier Division game buoyed by the appointment of Pitmen legend Steve Burr as manager. The shock news was delivered at 6:30 yesterday evening which has been universally welcomed on social media by all Hednesford Town supporters. The Pitmen are currently bottom but one of the Southern League Central with just two points from their opening six games.
Alvechurch had a fantastic campaign last season clinching 5th place in the league table and edging into the play-offs places on the last day of the season. They were beaten in the semi-final by eventual play-off winners Peterborough Sports and are currently 16th in the table so far this season with seven points from their six games.
Alvechurch started their season with a thrilling 3-0 win over local rivals Stourbridge, but then they suffered two away defeats with a 1-4 loss at Coalville and a 1-3 loss at Bromsgrove. Two goals in the last 18 minutes then saw off bottom markers AFC Rushden & Diamonds 2-0, before a last minute equaliser clinched a point for the ‘Church at Barwell. Their last league game was a Bank Holiday Monday 1-3 defeat at home to Tamworth.
Former Pitman Jack Hallahan is in the Alvechurch squad but unfortunately he hasn’t been able to play since a sickening clash of heads on the opening day of the season put him out of action. We wish Jack all the best in his recovery. Alvechurch’s most recent game saw them come from two goals down to beat Mickleover 3-2 in a FA Cup 1st qualifying round game and now they meet Harborough Town on Saturday for a place in the next round.
Since the Pitmen’s last game there have been some changes to the squad with the loss of defensive trio Nathan Cameron, Lewis Hayden and Josh Webb but added to the squad have been the returning Ben Bailey from Tamworth, full backs Mikkel Hurst from Heather St Johns and Mason Birch from Sporting Khalsa, and goalkeeper Aaron Clayton has arrived at the club from Bromsgrove Sporting.
It’s all change on and off the pitch for the Pitmen at the moment so let’s all get down to Alvechurch and cheer the Pitmen on to what will hopefully be their first victory of the season.
Ground address: Lye Meadow, 53 Redditch Road, Alvechurch, B48 7RS
