"Telford faithful preparing for Tuesday's tussle with Church"

Match Date : October 15th, 2024 7:45 pm
Competition : Southern League Premier Central
Ground : New Bucks Head
Kick Off : 19:45

After another Saturday without a fixture, the Bucks will be back in action on Tuesday night when Alvechurch come to town.

Church had an up and down season last year, oscillating between decent unbeaten runs and lengthy winless runs. A heavy loss at the hands of Halesowen in last season’s FA Cup saw then-manager Ian Long given the boot, with James Fry appointed as Long’s successor last September. The Worcestershire side ultimately finished 16th, six points above relegation.

Fry’s side showed glimpses of their potential last season, though, including a run of 19 points from 10 games across January and February. And following the arrival of some notable summer signings, Church have begun the current campaign in fine form.

As well as their usual summer influx of young talent, Alvechurch have supplemented their squad with some experienced heads. Centre back Krystian Pearce has chalked up over 300 appearances in the Football League and was a pivotal part of Kidderminster’s playoff winning side in 2022-23. After successful spells at Solihull, Kidderminster and Ebbsfleet, winger Omari Sterling-James returns to the club where he started his senior career. While veteran striker and former Buck Tyrone Barnett joins from Leamington.

Perhaps the most significant new face, though, is Dan Sweeney. The dangerous centre forward scored six times for Church in a one-month loan spell in January, which helped steer the club clear of the relegation zone. Sweeney returned in the summer and is Church’s top scorer with four goals so far this term. However, Sweeney will miss Tuesday night’s game after he was sent off at Spalding last time out.

While Fry’s side ended last season with the 3rd-worst away record in the division, Church have been strong on the road this campaign. After an opening day defeat at Bishop’s Stortford, Alvechurch have won all three of their away league fixtures since, all without conceding. Back-to-back home defeats may have dented their early season momentum, but Church still sit 9th in the table and are only five points off top spot with a game in hand. Fry’s side also have the league’s third-best defence.

The Bucks will have to be on top form, then, but will be buoyed from having won both games against Alvechurch last season. The Bucks ran out 2-1 winners on home soil before picking up a 2-0 win at Lye Meadow in March. Wilkin’s men will be hoping to make it three wins from three, as the Bucks look to strengthen their promotion credentials.

MATCHDAY INFORMATION

Tickets for Tuesday’s fixture will remain on sale up until kick-off and are available for purchase online in advance. See our ticketing page for further details.