On the eve of bonfire night, the fireworks were flying at The Hayes - but in the way you wouldn't think!

Alvechurch Foundation Under 18's were standing on the brink of history. Eight wins from eight games, never previously done by any of our former Under 18's teams. Their resolve would be tested though as they welcomed the reigning champions of the MFYL Southern Premier Division. Having beaten the Champions once already on their own patch (7-1), Bedworth would be keen to ensure that there would be no repeat.

The away team came into this fixture unbeaten in three including a draw against the league leaders Solihull Moors. So, they were ready to put things right and as mentioned ensure that there was no repeat of the home fixture. Keen to make a statement and be the first team to stop Church in their tracks.

So, would it would be a night of history or could the champions make a statement of their own?

HOW IT UNFOLDED...
A crisp wintery feel to the night and Church got us underway for the evening.

Oh... you know how I said Bedworth would want to make a statement?

They were way quicker than I thought! Inside 18 seconds, the visitors shell-shocked the winning machine. From the kick-off, Church opted to go long. We gave the ball straight to the visiting side, who hit a long diagonal ball into the striker's feet. He was able to control it, turn and slide his winger through on goal, who rifled it beyond Howe to spring an almighty shock.

Alvechurch 0, Bedworth 1. How would they respond?

The away side were now in the driving seat and it did unsettle the group. Under intense pressure, Bedworth had a chance to double the lead on 13 minutes as a shot flew over the top of the crossbar - not a million miles away though.

Eventually, the lads kicked into gear and now started to work their way back into the encounter after a nervy opening 20 minutes at The Hayes. Maybe a big night was having an effect on the players. Perhaps. But, one thing is for sure that this group doesn't give in to any setback. They got their rewards for a patience start.

On 22 minutes, the hosts found the equaliser. A free-kick was cleared to the edge of the area. Korey Peets-Fearon stepped in to take control of the situation before rifling an effort towards goal. If the effort is on target, it always has an opportunity of going in. Exactly that in this case as Peets-Fearon's shot was too hot to handle for the goalkeeper and it squirmed out of his grasp into the back of the net to relieve the pressure.

The goal woke the Church up and now in the mood to turn the page. It got better just four minutes later as Church quietened the Bedworth support and management. A nice passage of play from the home team freed Josh Harwood into space. He took one touch and then unleashed an absolute bullet into the bottom left-hand corner of the goal from 25 yards out to turn the game on its head.

How about then?

Two became three!!! Just seven minutes until the break, Church grabbed a vital third goal to put daylight between them and the champions. A corner kick delivery was on the money as Oppong rose highest and powered home the header past the goalkeeper to send us into the interval with that two-goal lead.

HT: ALVECHURCH 3-1 BEDWORTH UTD

A sensational turnaround in events at The Hayes. It was all about concentration and focus now to see us over the line.

However, as the clock struck 63 minutes, Bedworth got a goal back to reduce the deficit and set up a grand-stand finale. A delightful free-kick effort from the Bedworth midfielder was struck with pace and power. It flew into the top right-hand corner beyond a helpless Howe, who dived, but couldn't reach it. No goalkeeper saves those ones. Game on...

Just five minutes after that free-kick effort, the away team had another one in virtually the exact same position. This time to Church' fortune, the same player opted to go for the near post but his strike whiskered past the post to ensure the lead was still in-tact. Pressure mounting though from the champions as they sought out an equaliser.

In most cases, as you push for an equaliser, it leaves plenty of room, space and time down the other end. The game was settled with four minutes remaining. Louie Clifford weaved his way into the box with his dancing feet before slamming the ball into the back of the net to add a fourth.

Clifford REALLY AND SHOULD HAVE added a fifth to the score-line. What followed was wild... he did exactly the same thing again. Having been threaded through, he sat EVERY SINGLE PLAYER inside the box down on the ground leaving him with the goal gaping. From 5 yards out, he just needed the composure, but he lost all composure and somehow, SOMEHOW blazed the effort over the crossbar!

A very funny moment to everyone inside the ground. He did everything right and the easy part somehow evaded him.

But, Alvechurch did cap off the night in their own usual fashion. A five-star showing added the gloss to a very professional and history-making performance from us. Noad Tesfit picked the ball up before driving with his pace towards goal and reversing the ball back where it came from to completely fool the goalkeeper to add a fifth.

FT: ALVECHURCH 5-2 BEDWORTH UTD

A wonderful and comfortable night for Alvechurch in the end as they made their dominance count in the second half to make history becoming the first Under 18's team to win their first eight games of a league season. In the midst of all of that, they have completed a double over the reigning champions this season. Incidentally, two out of three league defeats for Bedworth have come against the Church. A proud night for everyone involved.

Next up is a break from the league as they entertain Tipton Town Juniors in the Joel Richards Memorial Cup.