Bromsgrove Rovers Reserves 0 Alvechurch 3

Worcestershire Senior Urn final

PLUCKY reserves' adventure in the Worcestershire Urn came to an end as they were put to the sword by an experienced Alvechurch side on Wednesday night.

Three first half goals in 11 minutes saw off youthful Bromsgrove's challenge as Alvechurch retained the Urn for the third season in a row at Kidderminster Harriers.

However, Bromsgrove showed plenty of grit in the second half to prevent rampant Alvechurch from running up a cricket score.

Goalkeeper Paul Maynard got down smartly to save Andy Dodds' shot in the third minute.

Maynard came to his side's rescue when he dived to his left and palmed away Neil Kitching's shot after Keith Rostill had set him free down the right wing.

Poor defending allowed Matt Hawker to head Dodds' 12th minute free kick from the right past Maynard.

The goal shook Rovers and Alvechurch capitalised by adding the second five minutes later.

Kitching was given too much space on the left wing and Rostill powered his low pass across the penalty area into the bottom corner.

To their credit Rovers kept on battling and Matthew Barnes-Homer did well to win Oliver O'Connell's low ball but shot straight at Alvechurch keeper Tony Rowe.

Liam O'Shea then grabbed Alvechurch's third goal after Kitching put him through.

Rovers searched for a goal to give them hope but left spaces at the back, which Alvechurch should have exploited more effectively.

Winger Gareth Davies was guilty of missing several chances; the worst when he put Rostill's clever touch over the bar from two-yards out.

Barry Richards carved out his side's best chance of scoring when he burst through the midfield in the 56th, only for his long range shot to crash off Rowe's cross bar.

Rovers: Maynard 7, Walford 6, O'Connell 6 (Rousel, 6), Clements 6, Joseph 6, Holls 6 (Footes, 6), Shaw 6, McGrath 5, Thomas 5, Barnes -Homer 6, Richards 6.

Referee: Mr AS Watts.