Pic: Garry Griffiths
By Andy Mitchell
ALVECHURCH boss Ian Long admitted his Midland League champions have been forced to excel at the ugly side of the game to claim their crown.
A battling 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Shawbury United on Saturday gave Church the point they required to guarantee top spot in what was at times an ill-tempered clash in Shropshire.
The visitors had been on top early on but United skipper Tom Taylor crashed home a far-post header from Matthew Ballard's free-kick on 29 minutes.
A storm was brewing when that lead was wiped out within three minutes as Josh March headed back across goal and in off the far post.
Shawbury claimed Mike Wardle was offside and nudged it over, but photos later showed he was onside anyway.
Alvechurch then had the better chances, but Shawbury could have pinched a win with 15 minutes to go when Josh Thomas curled wide from 12 yards.
“All credit to Shawbury – they threw the kitchen sink at us at the end,” said manager Long. “The lads had to put their bodies on the line and were tremendous.
“It was a difficult pitch so it was never going to be a spectacular game but we dug in. Maybe we got a bit of fortune with the goal but when you look back at the season, we deserved it.
“We do things professionally, work hard and train religiously every Tuesday and Thursday. That's why the lads deserve all the credit, they put in the time, effort and commitment. I am really chuffed for them.”
