Football
No let-up demands Alvechurch boss

JOINT Alvechurch manager Vaughan Pearshouse has urged his side to keep their focus as the battle for Midland Alliance survival hots up.

After watching his side get held to a 0-0 draw in Saturday's six-pointer at home to Atherstone Town despite a performance which on the balance of play deserved more, Pearshouse knows there is no time to dwell on what might have been as the Lye Meadow outfit prepare for another crucial match tomorrow in the shape of a visit to Highgate United.

Alvechurch will go into the match back in the bottom three as a result of Studley's 2-0 home win over Rocester on Tuesday, but know a victory would take them a massive 11 points clear of their second bottom hosts and almost certainly lift them back above at least one of three sides directly above them who are just two points or less ahead.

Pearshouse, whose side also have a game in hand on Studley and struggling Coleshill Town, said: "On the balance of play I thought we edged it (against Atherstone), especially in the second half.

"However, a point is better than nothing and it keeps us ticking over nicely ahead of what is now another tough six-pointer on Saturday at Highgate.

"It's important the players keep focused and continue to do what they have been doing lately and if they do that it will give us an outstanding chance of being where we want to be at the end of the season."

Pearshouse, whose side have taken 17 points out of the last available 24, was particularly pleased to see Daley Cameron maintain his impact on his return to the side.

He added: "Daley has got his head down and worked very hard to get himself back into the team and we are really pleased as he is starting to show what he is capable of."

In Saturday's clash Andy Nicol almost gave the hosts a tenth minute lead but capped a driving run with a low shot which flew just wide, before at the other end David Boal fired wastefully across goal after finding himself well placed in the area.

The hosts were narrowly denied an opening goal three minutes before the break when Sam Wills' inswinging free kick was spilled by Town keeper Paul Hathaway to the feet of the onrushing Nicol, but the striker was flagged offside as he converted the rebound.

Nicol threatened again before the break with a surging run which almost ended with Elliot Nash scoring, but the game remained goalless.

Midway through the second half Atherstone almost grabbed the lead but Rob Freeman was on hand to clear a goalbound header off the line, before 12 minutes from time Nicol's stinging strike was turned over at full stretch by Hathaway.

The final chance also fell to the hosts in stoppage time as Nash took the ball to the byline before pulling a pass back into the path of Nicol just outside the box, but the in-form striker's shot curled agonisingly over.

Alvechurch, who have nine league matches remaining, are also in action in midweek when they travel to Tividale.