ALVECHURCH suffered a disappointing 2-0 defeat away at relegation-threatened Stratford Town as Ian Long’s side failed to move clear of the drop zone.
Jed Abbey saw a first-half penalty saved either side of goals from Callum Ebanks and Kyle Bennett at the Arden Garages Stadium.
The result means Alvechurch sit 17th in the Southern League Premier Central table, two points clear of the relegation zone with at least two games in hand on the teams below them.
Church were punished for a slow start when Ebanks forced the ball home from close range after Alvechurch failed to deal with Lewis Ludford-Ison’s long throw.
And the visitors spurned a glorious chance to draw level when Tyrell Skeen-Hamilton was fouled by Paul McCone in the box only for Liam O’Brien to save Abbey’s penalty low down to his right.
The Bards made Church pay for that missed penalty when Bennett produced a stylish finish from Charlie Williams’s perfect pass to double the home side’s lead on 36 minutes.
And Gavin Hurren’s side had chances to add to their lead after the break as Ebanks hit the post and later fired over when in a promising position.
O’Brien made a great save late on to keep Stratford’s clean sheet intact as Church suffered back-to-back defeats in the league without scoring.
Alvechurch are next in action at home to Barwell TONIGHT (Tuesday, March 21) with kick-off at 7.45pm at Lye Meadow.
