ALVECHURCH made a winning start to life under new manager James Fry with a 2-1 victory against Long Eaton United.
Goals either side of half time from Ben Cassidy and Jaanai Gordon ensured Church began a new era with a win despite Dale Eve’s own goal deep in first-half injury time at Lye Meadow.
The result means Church sit 10th in the Southern League Premier Central table.
Fry said: “It’s been hectic but I’ve loved every minute of it, I walked in and I was gobsmacked at where the football club is from within.
“There’s so many good people around the place, it made it so easy for me both on and off the pitch.
“The support has been unbelievable, I’ve been humbled by it and I’m so thankful for all of the support and nice messages.
“But I needed to get to work and the boys have been outstanding, the players are open-minded, they’re willing to listen, I’ve challenged them to step up and ask questions and it’s started really well.
“When the going gets tough, they’re starting to step up and that’s brilliant, we’ve got loads of work to do in and out of possession and that will come over time.”
Alvechurch took the lead on 38 minutes when Cassidy won back possession and exchanged passes with Jack Concannon before coolly finding the left corner of the goal from inside the box.
However, Long Eaton equalised five minutes into injury time at the end of the first half when Dale Eve carried Morgan Worsfold-Gregg’s dangerous cross into his own net after colliding with the post.
Church reclaimed the lead just three minutes after the break as Jaanai Gordon finished Ammar Dyer’s initial shot on the line following good work from Kai Adan George.
Alvechurch are next in action away at Anstey Nomads on Saturday, October 7 in the FA Trophy with kick-off at 3pm at Cropston Road.
