Dunkley’s brace sees Church shock Basford

Lee Knight saw his bid to replace Lee Adams, who quit last week, on a permanent basis start impressively.

Winger Dunkley, the cousin of Oxford United defender Chey Dunkley, paid back the caretaker manager with goals in the 38th and 48th minute as Church came from behind to win their first Midlands Football Premier game since December 6.

“I changed things around a bit and it was great to see it pay off,” said Knight, who has the reins until the end of the campaign.

“I brought back Ben Markall and played him up front with Gareth Evans.

“We had Dmitri Dunkley and Danny Williams, who was man of the match, on the wings in a 4-4-2 and it worked really well for us.

“I like to get the ball wide but I was also pleased with the way we closed the game down in the second half to beat a good side.

“If you look at the squad, it is very young but we’ll see what happens.”

Knight has also brought midfielder Jack Cresswell back into the team after he had stopped playing during Adams’ tenure.

The caretaker is also keen to bring in former Alvechurch forwards Connor Deards to the club, who is currently plying his trade for Rushall Olympic, as well as increasing the size of his squad by adding to his defensive options.

The former Studley manager is up front about his ambitions to manage Alvechurch.

He said: “To be honest, I’ve got a chance to lay down a marker for the job.

“I want to take the club forward and hope I get a chance to do so.

“The chairman Richard Thorndike has been brilliant, he’s taken over looking after the budget and allowed me to concentrate on the squad.

“I also want to add a few more players to increase competition in the squad.”

Alvechurch go to second-placed Lye Town on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

l Feckenham were left kicking their heels after their home game against Coton Green was postponed in the Midland Division Football League Division Two.

Their next game is a trip to Chelmsley Town on Saturday (2pm kick-off).