CONNOR Deards bagged a late brace as Alvechurch saw off Heath Hayes 2-0 on the opening day of the Midland Football League Premier.

Deards opened the scoring in the 82nd minute with a well-struck free-kick, before completing the scoring when firing home a rebound four minutes later.

Manager Ross Thorpe said: “Connor’s goals came at the right time and knocked the stuffing out of Heath Hayes.

“Before the game I told the players the most important thing was to win, but we could have won by more if we had taken our chances.

“We were on top in the first half and the break came at the wrong time for us.

“In the second half, we were lacklustre for 15 minutes and got ourselves back into the game.”

Alvechurch then produced a stirring second half but were edged out 4-3 by Boldmere St Michaels on Tuesday night.

The Churchmen had been 4-1 at the break, with Jermaine Clarke on target, but Deards and Chris Hughes also hit he back of the net.

Wideman Danny Williams, who played for Westfields last season, has signed for Alvechurch after impressing Thorpe as a trialist during pre-season.

The club have also signed Worcester City Under-21 midfielder Max Crisp.

“Max is someone who caught my eye playing for the county, he’s a young lad who has a lot of potential,” added the Alvechurch manager.