Alvechurch 0 Westfields 1

A SERIES of high-quality saves from keeper Stuart Parsons could not prevent Alvechurch from bowing out of the FA Vase on Saturday.

Parsons looked in unbeatable form until the 84th minute against Midland Alliance rivals Westfields when centre-back Phil Glover found himself unmarked ten yards from goal and he slotted home.

It was tough on a Church side who showed buckets of endeavour, spirit and determination in their bid to reach the last 32 of the Vase for the first time in their history.

But Ross Thorpe’s side just lacked the crucial quality in the final third to turn positive play into clear-cut chances.

They had the better of the possession in the early stages, with newcomer Mark Bandurak leading the midfield battle, and Westfields keeper Matt Gwynne dived to parry a Joe Wright shot after Max Loveridge rolled in an inviting pass on 16 minutes.

They had further sights of goal in the second period when Chris Hughes scooped over after a flowing four-man move while Julian Triana and Hughes again also fired off target from promising positions.

But Alvechurch No 1 Parsons kept his side in the contest. He blocked a Jamie Insall header on 23 minutes and then did even better to keep out the point-blank follow-up and showed incredible reaction to keep out a deflected Craig Jones shot after the break.

Dan Polan was also denied as Westfields became stronger and stronger in the latter stages and they were celebrating six minutes from time.

Jones fired a long pass into the inside left channel and skipper Glover ghosted into the area to prod his shot past Parsons into the bottom corner.

ALVECHURCH: Parsons; Wilcock, Race, Morrison, Tirana; Hughes (Sikora, 86), Bandurak, Curran; Loveridge (Fitzmaurice, 72); Spencer, Wright (Hylton, 72). Subs: Thorpe.

WESTFIELDS: Gwynne; Harris, Glover, Whittall-Williams, Aldrich (Griffiths, 20); Morgan, Jones, Sirrell, O’Leary; Polan, Insall (Thomas, 79). Subs not used: Andrews, Williams, Opuku.

Referee: Craig Taylor (Wednesbury).

Attendance: 102.