Sending off is key as Bards are edged out
Alvechurch 1, Stratford Town 1
A RED card for Stratford striker Callum Ebanks proved key in this battle with neighbours Alvechurch with the visitors finally losing out to a penalty midway through the second period.
The former Cheltenham Town targetman was sent off after just 27 minutes for a head-butt on Church defender Abel Alabi as the two grappled on the floor. Alabi escaped punishment but his central defensive partner Yaw Ofosu was sent off late on after picking up a second booking in what was a tetchy game throughout.
Ebanks’ dismissal came just moments after their opponents had thought they had broken the deadlock only for former Town forward Jaanai Gordon to have his effort chalked off for an earlier offside.
And yet with ten men, it was Stratford who edged the remainder of the half. Just before the half-hour, Paul McCone lifted a ball over the Church defence for Jamie Molyneux but his flick over the keeper then strayed wide of the goal.
On 37 minutes, there was another decent chance for Gavin Hurren’s side when Tom Solanke turned smartly in the box only for his shot to be directed straight at Dale Eve in the Alvechurch goal.
Opposite number Liam O’Brien was forced into action just before the break when he palmed away a well-struck Jack Hallahan effort and he then had to be smartly off his line to block a chance from Kai George after he had broken clear.
The final chance of the first period fell to the Bards though as Lewis Ison teed up Solanke four yards out but the midfielder was unable to steer the ball home with just the keeper in his way.
The second half proved just as nip and tuck with Dan Lafferty having a shot saved by Eve before Church scored what proved to be the winner with a 64th minute penalty. O’Brien was adjudged to have upended George as he darted from his goal, referee Liam Corrigan pointed to the spot and Kobe Chong did the rest with a well-struck kick into the top right-hand corner.
Boosted by the goal, the hosts looked for a second and substitute Shay Willock and Gordon both went close before the Bards almost snatched an equaliser deep in added time when Ison headed a corner goalwards only for Jack Concannon to clear off the line.
Alvechurch: Eve, Cassidy, Dyer, Hallahan (Willock 57), Alabi, Ofosu, Dugmore, Chong, Gordon, Concannon, George (Patterson 78). Subs (not used): Lamb, Evans, Allen-Hadley.
Stratford: O’Brien 7, Vaughan 7 (Williams 79, 6), Worley 7, Vann 6 (Dowd 67, 6), McCone 7, Solanke 6, Molyneux 6 (Ngandu 46, 7), Ison 7, Ebanks 3, Lafferty 6, O’Sullivan 7. Subs (not used): Atcha, Beredford
Referee: Liam Corrigan
Att: 394
Goals – Alvechurch: Chong (64pen)
Bards Star Man: Paul McCone
Opposition Star Man: Abel Alabi
