It had been two weeks since our Women's first-team had featured. Lara Stevens' equaliser late on at Knowle claimed Ben Davis' side what could be a crucial point come the end of the season in their quest to beat the drop. Attention turned to a friendly contest today in order to keep the girls sharp, and keep the minutes clocking up before our all-important clash against Solihull Sporting on April 13th.

HOW IT UNFOLDED:
Inside five minutes, it was the worst possible start for the returning Church side, who found themselves behind. A clipped ball through the centre of our defence was latched on to. The striker had the composure to take the shot on from a tight angle, somehow squeaking it through the grasp of Abby Dadson and in via the helping hand of the woodwork. Shell-shocked.

The visitors, Crusaders Women, came into the encounter having lost their previous outing against Redditch United Women dealing a huge blow to their title aspirations. A reaction demanded, a reaction they got early on. The tier six side ahead against their tier five opponents. They also had a point to prove and try to show what they're about.

Davis' side now needing a reaction of their own to turn the situation around.

It took Church a while to settle into their stride, perhaps looking a shade bit rusty considering their two weeks off from any competitive football. On 25 minutes, we found ourselves level in the encounter. A fantastic drilled cross from the left from Charlotte Taylor was met sweetly in the middle by an out-stretched leg of Beth Grady, who forced the goalkeeper into a superb save. On the rebound, Lara Stevens must have thought she had scored but the goalkeeper made another truly remarkable save to deny us. Eventually, at the third time of asking, the ball did end up in the net thanks to Chloe Bickley's first goal for the football club.

From there on in, it was one-way traffic until the break. Grady, introduced from the bench, was popping up all over the pitch to take on a few strikes from long range which were all held confidently by the goalkeeper.

The final action of the first half saw a shot dragged wide of the mark from Alvechurch, who felt they should have done better with the effort inside the area but it left us all square at the interval.

HT: ALVECHURCH 1-1 CRUSADERS

A real test being handed out by the travelling team, who were making it nervy for the home side. Not that results matter too much in friendlies, but it can build confidence and performances. Exactly what Church needed ahead of their showdown with Sporting in two weeks time, when they fight to stay in tier five against the side occupying the final relegation spot.

It was a carbon copy of the first half though in the contest...

As same as last time, inside the opening five minutes of the next period, Crusaders regained their lead. A long ball was chased down, Church got into an almighty mix-up at the back. The striker was forced way wider than she would have wanted. Although forced that far wide, she had the composure to roll it back to the player in the middle, who faked to shoot first-time leaving our defender flying across the goal before the player slotted it into the far corner beyond Dadson.

Another shock to the system. Church not handling either opening exchanges very well, and with more work to do now to turn the game around. Making it real hard work, but huge credit to the away side, who had a real game-plan to set up and frustrate the home team. Not really getting to grips with the traps being set all over the pitch.

Changes kept being made by Davis, who was eyeing to keep everyone fit and fresh. Hopefully to also avoid more injuries, which have hurt his side over the course of the campaign.

On 63 minutes, the home side should have been level. A brilliant piece of skill inside the area from Grady allowed the space to open up for a shot but her effort was curled beyond the near post and out for a goal-kick as the clock continued to count down. Time running out, but still time to go to rescue the encounter.

Ten minutes later, Davis' side continued to show their powers of recovery and resilience. Annie Clayton, a hero and major reason for our promotion last season was welcomed back into the squad today after her move from Solihull Moors. The centre-back produced a magnificent ball over the top of the Crusaders defence allowing Alisha Sheridan to break free. She got there ahead of the goalkeeper. With the keeper stranded in 'no mans land', Sheridan calmly and precisely rolled it for Charlotte Leedham to hit first-time. The effort was blocked on the line but the ball fell kindly for Leedham at the second time of asking, she headed it over the line to draw us level again.

Could Church find a winner now?

You bet they could. We always find a way.

A corner was swung into the area, the visiting team managed to clear it as far as the edge of the area. Stokes kept the ball alive before reversing a fantastic pass into the feet of Imogen Butler. The winger with a first-time hit found its way into the top right-hand corner, a bit of a mishit in truth, but nonetheless, it flew into the top corner and complete the comeback.

FT: ALVECHURCH 3-2 CRUSADERS