Match Report: Alveston 5v0 Coventry Jaguar – 20 March 2011

Alveston continued their good run with a comfortable 5-0 win against Coventry Jaguar. Harry Coleman and Julian Thomas started for the first time upfront, and gave the home defence a torrid afternoon. On a firm pitch the Alveston players first touch was impressive, and it didn't take long for Matty Rickett to play a delightful ball over to top for Thomas to run onto and fire just over the bar. A goal was inevitable and it was Matty Rickett who opened the scoring with a rasping drive from a free kick, which the keeper could only help push into the roof of the net.

Thomas then shot wide when put through by Josh Humphriss, as Alveston dominated possession, and his persistence paid off when he drove the ball into the bottom corner after another through ball by the impressive Rickett. The second half continued as the first with Alveston in total control, and they soon increased their lead when Thomas finished well from a Billy Dingley through ball. Any time the ball went into Alveston's half the back three of Foley, Connor & Mackinnon dealt with any danger and often started their attacking moves. Alveston's fourth came from another well struck Rickett free kick from 25 yards after a foul on Coleman, and they rounded off their win when the industrious Jamie Stephens was first to react to a loose ball, and fire home after the keeper failed to hold a well struck shot from Josh Humphriss.

Alveston 2v1 Chapelfields Colts 13 March 2011

Alveston picked up a hard earned 3 points with a 2-1 win over Chapelfield Colts on Sunday. The home side dominated possession, and when a superb left foot strike from Jamie Stephens from the edge of the area flew into the top corner of the net, it seemed inevitable that the floodgates would open. Joe Vose was causing all sorts of problems down right and delivered a number of inviting crosses, which somehow either eluded Stephens & Spencer, or some desperate defending managed to keep the ball out.

The Alveston defence looked much better, with Joey Barnish controlling the back line, although an unfortunate mix up allowed Chapelfields in for their equaliser with their only attack of the half. Alveston continued to press, Matty Rickett went close with a rasping free kick, and Alan Mackinnon was unlucky to see his volley deflected wide with the keeper beaten.

The second half started in the same way, which the home side applying all the pressure, and they duly got their reward, when some neat passing found Josh Humphriss on the edge of the area, and his first time pass found the angled run of Stephens who made no mistake, driving the ball into the bottom left hand corner of the net. Another drive from Rickett’s flew just over and Stephens just missed out on a hat-trick when he couldn’t quite get on the end of a Humphriss cross.

Alveston almost paid for their failure to finish the game off, and with only a few minutes remaining chapelfields threw men forward, and it took a wonderful last ditch tackle from the impressive Roshen Foley and a brave save from keeper Isaac Downes to maintain their advantage.

Alveston 2v5 Mount Nod - 13 February 2011

Alveston U11's crashed to a disappointing 5-2 defeat at title rivals Mount Nod. In difficult conditions it was Alveston who started more confidently, with Alex Connor a threat down the left and Harry Spencer probing through the middle as they started to create chances. Alveston took the lead when Joe Vose released Roshen Foley down the right and his cross was met by Alex connor who finished with aplomb. Alveston suffered a blow when their top scorer Josh Humphriss had to go off injured.  

The game remained close until a 5 minute spell mid way through the first half decided the game. Mount Nod's equaliser came when a free kick was headed on from the edge of the area and somehow found it's way into the roof of the net. This seamed to knock Alveston's confidence and within a minute a hopeful shot from the left hand corner of the area managed to squirm under the body of Isaac Downes and crept in at the near post.

Alveston fell further behind before responding with a well struck Billy Dingley shot from the edge of the area. However, more sloppy work at the back handed the home team their fourth. Alveston started the second half well and put the home defence under pressure. The introduction of Alan Mackinnon created a threat down the right as he put in some crunching tackles, which seemed to galvanise the players. On one of the few occasions they got the ball down, they opened up the home defence, Alan Mackinnon played the ball inside to Alex Connor who delivered a sublime ball through to Joe Vose, who cooley slotted the ball past the advancing keeper. The home side killed the game off isaac downes could only palm a speculative shot into the net.   

Alveston in the Stratford Herald 27 Jan 2011

Alveston made the Stratford Herald this week

Next Game: Home v Southam United
Sunday 30 Jan 2011 11.00 kick off

Last Meeting with Southam was 2 Oct 2010
(4v1 Win)

Alveston 3v0 Whitley Juniors 23 January 2011

The Whitley Goalkeeper is finally beaten after an inspired first half goalkeeping display

Alveston continued their impressive run with a 3-0 victory against basement side Whitley. The home side only  managed one shot in the entire match in what was a completely one sided game. Alveston dominated the game and their passing & movement continually stretched the home defence. First Josh Humphriss had a shot well saved, and then after some good work from Alex Connor, Jamie Stephens had his shot blocked. The home keeper was in inspired form pulling off a string of good saves, culminating with a stunning save from Joe Vose's superbly struck volley from the edge of the area. The home side weren't without their share of luck as well when Matty Rickett hit the bar from a free kick, Joe Vose hit the post and even their defender managed to turn a cross from Josh Humphriss onto his own bar. It was a miracle the scores were still level at half-time.

The second half continued as the first with Alveston in total control, and their pressure finally told when after some good work by Alan Mackinnon down the left  found Joe Vose, who's first time shot was parried by the keeper, and the ever alert Jamie Stephens was on hand to fire home. Although Alveston deserved a second goal, the way it arrived was slightly fortuitous as the keeper seemed to have a shot from Joe Vose covered, until an unkind bounce lifted it over his head and into the net. Alan Mackinnon made it 3, when after a fine run & shot by Alex Connor came back off the post, he was the first to react to slide the ball past the keeper.

Alveston 6v2 Coventry Jaguar Youth Match Report 16 January 2011

Alveston under 11's continue to prosper in the Coventy league with an emphatic 6-2 victory over Coventy Jaguars. Playing at home for the first time in almost two months, Alveston dominated from the very first whistle, and were ahead after only 30 seconds, even though it was the away side who took the kick-off! Joe Vose put their fullback under pressure, and his poor clearance fell to Josh Humphriss who, form the edge of the area, struck a superb shot into the top corner, leaving the keeper stranded.

The home side soon doubled their lead when Jamie Stephens was first to react to a Joe Vose cross to steer the ball home. With barely five minutes gone, Alveston scored a third, some good work from Matty Rickett found Josh Humphriss at the right hand edge of the area. This time he cut inside and fired a left foot shot into the bottom corner. The home side were dominating with Roshen Foley and Billy Dingley both going close, so it was a surprise when Coventry Jaguar pulled one back through a mix up in the usually reliable home defence.

Alveston soon restored their advantage though when a half cleared corner fell to Matty Rickett, who fired in a superb 35 yard shot into the far corner, leaving the keeper with no chance. The away team pulled another goal back, before Josh Humphriss knocked in Alveston's 5th and his hat-trick when he was released by Billy Dingley and fired past the by now despondent keeper. The home side eased off in the second half, and the defensive unit of Dan Malone, Jake Greaves & Jordon Pace dealt with any threat, and the home side still had enough to extend their lead further, when a Matty Rickett free kick was spilled by the keeper and Alan Mackinnon was first to react to stroke the ball home.

Alveston in the Stratford Herald 25 Nov 2010

Humphriss hat-trick batters Brinklow

It's good to see that Alveston are back in the Herald this week dominating the football page with a large four column photo and an emphatic headline

As we know upcoming fixtures are:

Sun 28 Nov - away at Chapelfields Colts

Sun 5 Dec - No Game

Sun 12 Dec - away at Coventry Copsewood

Sun 19 Dec - away at Coventry Jaguar

Alveston 4v1 Stratford Colts 7 Nov 2010 - Match Report

Alveston took the spoils in this eagerly awaited derby game by beating Stratford Town 4-1 at the NFU . Straight from kick off old rivalries were very apparent as the game immediately picked up to a tempo but it was Alveston who were the more comfortable and were unlucky not to take the lead on two occasions, first when from a corner Roshen Foley just failed to direct his strong header on target and then when Harry Spencer shot just wide after finding space in the penalty area. 

However, despite this promising start the game at 0-0 remained tightly contested and indeed if not for a key interception by Jake Greaves at centre back and then two diving saves by Isaac Downes at the feet of the incoming centre forward Alveston could have gone behind . Alveston’s endeavour proved to be key though and when Stratford failed to clear their lines from a corner Billy Dingley was first on hand to take advantage and lash the ball from close range high into the net to give Alveston the luxury of a 1-0 lead at half time.

Alveston started the 2nd half as they had the 1st seeking to apply early pressure and this was rewarded within the first couple of mins when Jamie Stephens raced onto an early ball over the top by Mattie Ricketts to drive the home. Stratford then responded well to this disappointment applying their own pressure but perhaps the turning point in the game came in two vital minutes when Jordan Pace was on hand to clear off the line, to then see Josh Humphries win a corner at the other end which the resulted in Alan Mackinnon reacting to confusion in the 6 yard box to steer home. 

At 3-0 the game now looked to be won. Any chance of Stratford getting near goal was consistently defended. When the ball evaded the Alveston midfield both Greaves and Dan Malone were on hand to provide some fierce competitive tackling and as a consequence Alveston looked comfortable pursuing a 4th This duly came when Stephens’ ball over the top released Humphries who calmly fired past the keeper and this gave Alveston the privilege or being able to look for more without fear.

First Alex Connor’s weaving run was denied by the keeper and Harry Coleman saw his long range shot go just wide. Joe Vose introduced on the wing  consistently made good progress down the flank keeping the right back busy but against the run of play Alveston conceded when lack of concentration enabled Stratford to profit from a corner. However, this was of little consequence and Alveston gladly finished the game as winners.

Alveston 1v4 Mount Nod Sunday 31 October 2010

Despite a valiant effort in a fast frenetic match Alveston went down 4-1 to a very accomplished Mount Nod side.

 

Straight from Kick off the hosts found themselves on the back foot as Mount Nod sought to gain an immediate advantage and this seemed to set the tone for the whole match to come. Alveston’s defence showed a fine degree of resilience and organisation in the form of Jake Greaves, Jordan Pace and Alex Connor and this was complimented well by some selfless and effective back tracking from Allan Mackinnon and Joe Vose on the flanks. In midfield there was no less a combative performance as Billy Dingley, Mattie Ricketts and Roshen Foley were forced to scrap and compete for any sight of the ball as chances to play a passing game of football became minimal.

 

This endeavour though was duly rewarded when Dingley’s long punt over the top enabled Josh Humphries to take advantage of some defensive hesitancy to shoot across the keeper and make it 1-0. This was slightly against the run of play and it was no surprise that Mount Nod came again. There was encouragement though that Alveston would take the lead into the break when goalkeeping Isaac Downes made a fabulous diving save and also when Humphries once more found himself bearing down on goal but only this time to drive his shot into the goalkeeper’s hands.

 

To put the ball over the top of the Mount Nod defence seemed the most profitable tactic to adopt but there was frustration time and time again as the Alveston midfield were denied the room to put the ball through for Jamie Stephens to run onto. This frustration was compounded when in the last minute of the half left the visitors were able to make their pressure tell and grab the equaliser.

 

Unfortunately for Alveston the disappointment of conceding so late in the first half carried through to the 2^nd and it was clear that the visitors had a renewed impetus. Tough tackling Dan Malone was introduced into defence and Harry Spencer came into midfield  to add some additional bite but it was Mount Nod that kept the upper hand and it was not long before two quick goals gave them an unassailable lead.

 

Alveston never gave up though and continued to fight and when a superb individual attempt from Ricketts saw his dipping shot from 20 yards hit the bar it was clear the points were lost. In the last minute of the game Mount Nod grabbed a 4^th leaving Alveston who were not worthy of losing 4-1 reflecting on a Halloween nightmare.

Alveston 4v0 Brinklow 17 Oct 2010 - Match Report

Alveston produced another dominant display as they swept aside Brinklow Juniors with a comfortable 4-0 victory. From kick off it was clear that the home side possessed a better footballing quality and determination and as the half was to unfold GK Isaac Downes was little more than a spectator as the home side pushed on.

Down the right hand flank Jamie Stephens and Alan Mackinnon gathered the impetus as they combined on more than one occasion but frantic defending by the visitors prevented any clear site of goal materialising. In the middle of the park midfielders Mattie Ricketts and Billy Dingley battled hard to find room to create the elusive opening but when Stephens was able to release Josh Humphries through the middle any doubts and frustrations were forgotten as he calmly shot past the keeper from 12 yards. 

This seemed to unsettle Brinklow and within minutes their loss of concentration enabled Alveston to gain a second goal when from a corner Mackinnon was able to take advantage of hesitant defending and smash home from close range. This was then followed by as series of chances. First Roshen Foley’s hard struck long drive was well saved, Humphries again released through the middle hit the post and when Alex Connor beat this marker to take the ball to the dead ball line, his pulled back cross was met by Mackinnon who struck just over. 

In the 2nd half Alveston immediately regained the impetus. The defensive line of Jake Greaves, Dan Malone and Jordan Pace stepped further up the field and strong tackling by Malone and Pace supported by the confident authority of Greaves at centre back enabled the midfield to thrive on the additional support. On the right hand side both Humphries and Dingley nearly profited but their shots were just wide and a Stephen’s volley went tantalising close as well. 

All this pressure was finally rewarded when Greaves first to the ball once again was able to find an unmarked Humphries who grabbed his second with a firmly struck shot. Chaos seemed to then reign in the Brinklow defence and Alex Connor, Harry Spencer and Harry Coleman could all count themselves unlucky not to get on the end of crosses that shot across the six yard box. Ricketts then narrowly missed when his shot went agonisly wide but with all this pressure the 4th goal was inevitable. 

When Pace released Connor to cross from the left Harry Spencer was able to make room for himself to shoot and when the keeper fumbled Joe Vose was on hand to pick up the rebound and steer home. In the last ten minutes of the game Brinklow rallied hard but solid defending notably at right back by Dan Malone restricted the visitors to one long range shot that keeper Isaac Downes covered well.

Alveston in the Stratford Herald 7 Oct 2010

Once again Alveston Juniors have a report and photo in the Stratford Herald.

Read the same match report at this website on the Monday after a game or the old fashioned way in the local newspaper on the Thursday.

Alveston Juniors are at Home to Firefighters on Sunday 10 October 2010. Fire Fighters play at The Woodlands School in Broad Lane, Coventry which is Eastern Green. So far this season, Firefighters have played three league games (a win, a draw and a loss) in Division C which sees them in sixth place.

Alveston 4v1 Southam 2 Oct 2010 - Match Report

Alveston under 11's produced an outstanding display away at Southam to claim all three points, with a well deserved 4-1 win. In difficult conditions, and with the wind at their backs, it was the home side who started strongly, but with Isaac Downes in commanding form in goal, and Jake Greaves, Jordon Pace and Dan Malone all superb at the back, not only putting in some crunching tackles, but also looking to play the ball to feet wherever possible, they provided Alveston with a platform to build from. It was from such a move that Alveston created their first chance of the game, when good link up play between Dan Malone, Jamie Stephens & Matty Rickett released Alan Mackinnon down the right hand side, and his cross found the on-rushing Billy Dingley who fired wide. 

Josh Humphriss and Jamie Stephens were causing all sorts of problems for the home defence, and when Alex Connor played a delightful ball into the path of Josh on the left hand side of the box, Luke Hurst had to be at his best to keep the shot out. However, he could do nothing to prevent Alveston taking the lead, when a free kick from Matty Rickett found Josh Humphriss just inside the area, who's sublime first touch turned the defender before he unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net. 

After the break it was the home side who started well, and were soon level when the referee awarded a penalty when he felt Jamie Ford was upended in the box. Connor Bowmaster calmly firing into the the bottom right hand corner, leaving Isaac Downes with no chance. Alveston responded brilliantly, with Matty Rickett, Billy Dingley and Roshen Foley taking control of the centre of the midfield and orchestrating all their attacks, and it wasn't long before they re-took the lead, when from some good work down the left by Joe Vose and Jordon Pace set up Josh Humphriss, who from the left hand edge of the area, curled a superb shot into the far corner of the net. 

Alveston continued to press, harrying every Southam player with the ball and forcing them into errors. Some good interplay between Matty Rickett, Billy Dingley & Roshen Foley forced the southam midfield into some desperate lunges, and from one of these Alveston were awarded a free kick some 25 yards out. From this distance, you would normally expect the ball to be clipped into the box, however, Josh Humphriss claimed his hat-trick when he unleashed a thunderbolt of a free kick, which flew into the top corner of the net, leaving the home keeper, Luke Hurst, rooted to the spot. 

It was all Alveston now, with Alan Mackinnon, Jamie Stephens and Matty Rickett all going close. With only 5 minutes remaining another well worked move down the Alveston right, involving the impressive Jamie Stephens, set Josh Humphriss away and when his cross was fumbled by the home keeper, Harry Spencer was on hand to guide the ball into an empty net.

Alveston Juniors 7v1 Whitley Juniors Match Report 26 September 2010

Alveston underlined their true football credentials with an emphatic 7-1 home victory against Whitley Juniors. The match begun in predictable fashion with both teams competing strongly for possession  but it was Alveston who could have taken an early lead when Roshen Foley's  fierce strike from an Alan Mackinnon cross was parried by the keeper. From a defensive perspective Alveston looked assured. Dan Malone and Jordan Pace were successful with a number of strong tackles that prevented Whitley making any progress down the flanks and once again Jake Greaves put in a commanding performance in the middle,  winning decisive headers at will. 

Despite this pleasing solidity Whitley could have gone ahead had it not been for the alertness of Goalkeeper  Isaac Downes who was quick off his line to dive bravely at the forward's feet and deny a clear shooting chance. But in the 1st half exchanges this was all Whitley really had to offer and the Alveston attacking line sensing this pressed forward. First Billy Dingley was unlucky not to score after running direct at the defensive line only to see his firm shot well saved and  number of half chances created from the right hand side by the weaving runs of Jamie Stephens came to nothing.  However it was third time lucky for Stephens as he managed to evade  tackle after tackle to cross and  Foley gladly  smashed home. 

Surprisingly Alveston surrendered this lead almost immediately when a defensive mix  gifted the ball to the Whitley centre forward who took his chance well. It was to Alveston's credit though that they bounced back from this merely seconds later. Stephens again displaying some deftly control  was able to make a penetrating run down the right and when his near post shot was spilled onto the post by the keeper,  Alex Connor was keenly on hand to score from the follow up.  Very shortly after this Whitley seemed to lose all organisation. Mattie Ricketts found more room than ever and was unlucky not to score on two occasions when his shots narrowly missed. But this was of no matter .When  Mackinnon as able to gain possession and gain a corner , Stephens was on hand to drive high into the net to take the score to 3-1.  The game was effectively over when  Connor made it 4-1  after he was able to profit from the endeavours of Stephens  and Foley in the box and drove hard and low past the keeper and when  Josh Humphries stepped up to take a free kick  that evaded the  defensive wall and hit the net before the keeper had chance to move it seemed the game would offer more goals in the 2nd half.

In the 2nd half. Whitley to their  own credit tried to take the game to Alveston and there were a number of goalmouth scrambles to underlined that this game was not as easy as the score line suggested .But Alveston stuck firmly to their task and on a number of occasions Mackinnon, Dingley and Humphries were able to break free down the right  only to see  their crosses keenly intercepted.  A very industrious Harry Spencer was thwarted every time he made space for himself in the penalty box and debutant Joe Vose was also unlucky  that the ball didn't fall kindlier for him on the left hand side when he made his runs into the box. When the Whitley keeper was able to dramatically save from an incoming Rickett's from 6 yards it seemed the scoreline would stay  5-1.  However in the last 5 mins Alveston were able to add two more goals to their tally when Stephens  was able to scoop the ball over the keeper from 8 yards  for a richly deserved 2nd. In the last minute of the game the Whitley defender turned the ball into his own net from a Rickett's corner. At 7-1 the game was complete and a deserved victory recorded.