Alvechurch 3 Leiston 3 (24th September 2022)
It’s never a good sign when you are noticing interesting cloud formations at a match. Not that the game was in any way dull at any stage. It’s just that it’s been over five and a half years since I last saw a 0-0 on one of these trips, and as the game ticked into first half injury time I thought I might be seeing another, as both sets of resolute defences seemed to more than have the measure of the attacking threat of both sides. The thought of the game ending with six goals seemed wildly unlikely.
Fortified with a fine chicken & pancetta pie and chips from a pub up the road, after a surprisingly easy two hour drive up, I’d arrived at Alvechurch glad to have found a decent new ground to go to on a weekend with slim pickings. A club that still does programmes would be enough for some, but for groundhopping traditionalists, goalposts with proper old-style nets and stanchions too would give them a warm and fuzzy feeling in their anoraks. The programme contained a detailed club history, including wins in the fabulously named Worcestershire Senior Urn, topped only by two historical 1960s wins in the 1960s, in the ambitiously titled “Planet Cup”. A team might be able to do it on the stereotypical wet Tuesday night in Stoke, but can they perform when it’s -173C during a liquid nitrogen storm on Neptune? Now that’s a challenge.
What I liked even more was the slope on the pitch. I like a good slope, especially side to side. It doesn’t match up to the one I saw at Wycombe’s old Loakes Park – few do – but it always adds character. The covered end behind one goal had chunky steps of terrace, rising up the slope as well as behind the goal. The crush barriers on this terrace clashed with the pitchside fencing and goal, to give the optical illusion that both pitch and barriers were sloping in opposite directions.
At the top of the slope was a seated stand, raised slightly to make it actually useful and offer a decent view, and it was well used as a result. The natural slopes also provided vantage points for those not wishing to stand directly next to the railings, where the groundstaff appear to be fighting a constant battle with very determined weeds and thistles, although the pitch itself looked fantastic.
The lower side had the clubhouse area and changing rooms, with hills rising up on the side providing a nice backdrop. Something like that always makes a ground more interesting, especially when it’s nearly half time and still 0-0.
As said, both teams had plenty of attacking intent, so the lack of goals certainly wasn’t for want of trying. Leiston had started the stronger team, but Alvechurch battled their way back into it and by the end of the half, were the dominant side. All too often, a commendable approach to pass through a defence just failed at the final hurdle, with a defender back to clear. When they did get shots away, they were often blocked. One Leiston defender took one full-blooded shot into his head, and had a couple of minutes on the ground recovering, probably regretting his choice of playing position.
It’s often thought that things like a pronounced slope aid the home team, but it aided Leiston, mainly playing on the break, in first half injury time. A cross from the high slope, on the right, bounced down kindly, and as it dropped it was volleyed past an unsighted keeper to put the visitors ahead.
Other than the half time break, it didn’t take long for Alvechurch to equalise. A fine free-kick was curled perfectly into the top corner, via the Leiston keeper’s fingertips. Parity didn’t last long though. Another cross from the right for Leiston, and the ball was nodded in at the near post for what was probably a too easy goal from the home side’s viewpoint.
Just after the hour, after a spell of good Leiston pressure, it seemed to be unravelling for Alvechurch, and a cut back wrong footed a covering defender, allowing a side-foot tap-in from six yards. It could have got worse, as Leiston looked to try to finish the game off, but despite having the edge over a slightly demoralised looked home side, they couldn’t add the fourth.
Inside the last 10 minutes, and it really was looking like Leiston had “done a job” on their hosts. The game seemed to be petering out, and you couldn’t see Alvechurch coming back. Maybe Leiston just relaxed a little too much, thinking the job was done. Shortly after, a ball was put into a crowded Leiston area, and challenge was made around the corner or the six yard box. Did it need to me made? Was there contact with the ball first? Opinions understandably varied, but it looks like the defender got the attacker’s legs before the ball, and that was the opinion of the referee too.
Not exactly thrilled with the decision, or the opportunity it presented to let Alvechurch back into the game, the Leiston players displayed a few tactics to perhaps unsettle the home side’s penalty taker, but all it did was allow them to collect a few yellow cards. It didn’t work either, as the keeper was sent the wrong way, and it was 2-3.
From there, Alvechurch poured forward. Leiston held out until injury time, but then a low shot from the edge of the box could only be palmed away, but not far enough away. With the keeper stranded, two Alvechurch ran forward with the chance to turn the ball into the half of the net that was unguarded, to dramatically level the scores.
The question was now weather they could win it, and they nearly did. A very similar scenario unfolded, with the Leiston keeper turning another shot away. This time he got a little more distance on it, and the attacker rushing in couldn’t quite turn it in from the angle, and it remained 3-3.
There would be no further chances. In the end Alvechurch might be a little disappointed not to take all three points. Both teams can take heart from their parts in a great game though, although for Leiston, with a three hour drive home after blowing two points, that might be of little consolation.
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