Match Preview | Alvechurch (H)
Head to Head
This is just the eighth meeting in the 21st century, because the two sides went from 1992 to 2018 without playing each other in all competitions. The Yeltz have lost just two of the seven meetings this century. The most recent meeting was a 1-0 defat at Lye Meadow in September. The second successive defeat to the Church away from home resulted from sole 43rd minute goal from former Alvechurch loanee Jose Marquez. The game saw the hosts hit the bar twice inside the opening 20, the first through Josh Dugmore, and the second Jonny Ngandu. The best and only effort of the first 45 in a display described as ‘poor’ by Russ Penn, saw a Hickman chipped effort on goal lifted wide of the left post in stoppage time. The second half lacked any Yeltz action as well, other than a scuffed Hickman effort wide and a Jamie Willets header land onto the top of the net. In reality the scoreline flattered us, as the Church hit the bar a third time through Dieter Schwarm, and an effort sneak wide of the post from substitute Elliott Dugan.
Russ Penn’s Thoughts
“This is the most games I have ever encountered at this stage of the season, particularly mid-week. I know we have had a couple of FA replays, but I feel like we have had a couple more mid-week games thrown into this season than last. It has taken its toll on us, and every team in the division. Every manager I have spoken to has talked on the injuries they have had, and we are no different, whether it is a concussion that keeps you out for two games or a slight knock that keeps you out for one. I feel sorry for the players and staff because all they are doing is rolling out the team for the next game, but everyone is in the same position and we must make sure, starting tonight, that we can get as many points as possible in this congested period. We have had some tough, but close battles in recent meetings with Alvechurch. Two 1-0 away defeats and the 2-2 home draw last season where we were 2-0 at half-time, and the 1-0 win against them towards the end of the 23/24 season. Tim Flowers always sets up his sides in an organised manner, a manager with a lot of experience who knows how to set a team up in different scenarios and conditions. Based on form, ours and theirs, we are in a better position to play them now then we were back at Lye Meadow in September, but I still expect a very competitive and defensively solid Alvechurch side to turn up, because every side who come here know they must be on it. This division is ruthless, one win came lift you to the top, one defeat can drag you towards relegation/mid table. Alvechurch have seen the effects of that in recent weeks, not through their own doing but the nature of anyone can beat anyone on their day in this league. Six points separate 5th and 15th. The only thing for certain is that Harborough are title favourites and seem to be running away with it. But everyone else is in the mix. We need as much of the squad as possible to keep up with the chasing pack over the tough schedule we have coming up. We showed last season that we can improve later in the season, so, as many results we can get now, the better. All I want is for everyone to stay fit and prepare for whatever comes at us, and it all starts tonight with a local derby.”
Opposition Preview
Between the sticks, Swindon Town loanee Redman Evans has featured in all 15 of their league games this season, and kept an impressive seven clean sheets.
In the right back slot, Jessy Bavanganga who featured in 23 times for Stourbridge in the first half of last season and 10 times for Rushall Olympic in the start half, has started all but one of the Church’s games this season. On the opposite side, Ethan Septhon has started all but two of the Church’s league games, having featured 34 times for the club, 32 starts, in the last campaign. In the centre of defense, Will Merrett and Kystrian Pearce at the starting duo, the former who has started 13 league games, and the latter 10. 19 year old Merrett is on loan from Forest Green Rovers, while 35 year old Pearce featured in all but one of their league games for the Church last season. As more than compatible backups, centre half Nile Timson who signed from Aston Villa’s academy in the summer has started nine times, while central defender/midfielder Akai Bonnick on loan from Forest Green has two substitute appearances, and fullback Femi Olofinjana has three sub appearances in his four matches.
In the midfield, it has been very rotational. Only two players, Josh Dugmore and Callum Sullivan have started in double figures of games this season, with 10. A man who can also play in the back line, Dugmore, the Church captain, has started in all but one of their league games, while The central man Sullivan was a key figure to the Church last season, having missed just two league games. Aside from Sullivan, crucial midfielders Sam Perry and Joe Willis have started nine and seven times respectively. To add to the midfield depth, 37 year old Kyle Storer has started eight league games, although is currently injured, while Dieter Schwarm, Jack Sang, Thomas Conteh and Louis Clifford have all featured off the bench this league campaign.
A total of 10 players have featured in the attack this season, but only six of them are still at the club as of today. The biggest departure being the man who scored the only goal in the reverse fixture in September, Jose Marquez, who after three goals in four league games for the Church, departed for Forest Green, as part of his loan ending. Of the six still at the club, Jonny Ngandu and Kieran Wakefield are the standouts in an attack that lacks goals. 24 year old Ngandu has started all but one league game,scoring once, after a short 11 game loan spell from Spalding United last season. While promising 21 year old forward Wakefield, is there current top scorer, with three league goals, and has started nine of his 15 league games. Beyond the pair, Elliott Dugan, and Tope Obadeyi are key backups, with the latter scoring twice this season, while loanee from Birmingham City Frank Tattum adds youthful exuberance.
Statistical Insight
Halesowen
- Only Barwell & Harborough Town (7) have had more players feature in every league game this season in the Southern Premier Central than our 6 players.
- No other side in the league have scored more second half goals at home this season in the Southern Premier Central than our 11.
- No other side in the league have scored the first goal at home more times this season in the Southern Premier Central.
- Only Banbury United & Harborough Town (21) have used fewer players in the Southern Premier Central this season than our 22.
Alvechurch
- Only Harborough Town (9) have kept more clean sheets this season in the Southern Premier Central than Alvechurch’s 7.
- Only Harborough Town (3) have conceded fewer first half goals in the Southern Premier Central this seasonthan Alvechurch’s 4.
- Alvechurch are the only side in the Southern Premier Central yet to concede a goal in the 15 minute plus stoppage time period before half-time.
- Only Harborough Town (2) have conceded