Match report: Cambridge City 1-Alvechurch 2

Cambridge City's FA Cup run ended after defeat to Southern League Premier Division Central outfit Alvechurch on a sunny afternoon. City had lost the previous weekend away to Gorleston in the Isthmian League Division One North 2-0, which had ended the Lilywhites' four match winning league run.

Alvechurch were in FA Trophy action last weekend and were upset by Bourne Town of the Northern Premier League Midlands Division, losing the match at home 2-1. The Church had played on Tuesday night in the league, playing out a goalless draw against Stourbridge.

Early City pressure didn't come to much and it was the visitors who had the first chance. A short corner allowed Jonny Ngandu to find Callum Sullivan, and the cross was headed just wide by Sam Perry. Ngandu then found Nick Clayton-Phillips a minute later, but Clayton-Phillips fired over the crossbar. With 28 minutes gone the ball ended up in the back of the net. A long ball was played forward and Ngandu latched onto the ball and passed it into the net, although the Assistant's flag was raised to signify the offside.

A minute later and a City free-kick by Jack Thompson was sent up into the penalty area and Ryan Fryatt, who had celebrated his birthday on Friday, headed wide under some considerable pressure. After 33 minutes a long ball from James Philp found Travis Dodsworth, who then picked out Jaiden Babalola, but the cross was then headed wide by Charlie Norman. A minute later and Alvechurch had scored again. Miracle Okafor found Ngandu, then Jamey Osborne picked out a through ball to find Okafor, who found the net but, once again, the offside flag was raised.

The first goal came with ten minutes left in the first half. A corner for the visitors allowed Sullivan to angle a cross towards the far post which Perry managed to head onto the far post and into the net from the tightest of angles to give the Church the lead.

City were behind in the FA Cup for the first time this season but it took just four minutes for them to level the scores. Freddie Hockey was sought out by Babalola and the former played a sumptuous pass to find Norman bombing down the right-hand side and the cross was headed in at the far post by Fletcher Toll, sending the majority of the 912 in attendance into ecstasy.

Alvechurch very nearly regained the lead just two minutes later. A quick ball from Okafor to Ngandu allowed Kieran Wakefield to fire in a shot which was parried by Philp, so too was Clayton-Phillips's strike immediately afterwards. The scores remained level into half-time.

The first effort in the second half came the way of the visitors. Okafor had a shot blocked early in the half and Sullivan came in for the rebound but his shot was rolled wide. City then had a throw after 51 minutes. Hockey gave to Norman but Redman Evans took the cross from Toll. However, a mistake in the Alvechurch defence allowed Hockey to get another chance, although his strike was aimed right at the gloves of Evans. With an hour gone, Ngandu sent up a long ball to Harry Reilly and Charlie Lewis had to clear the attack off the line.

With 71 minutes gone, City had a great chance to take the lead. Dodsworth played a long pass to Lewis, and the defender's shot was superbly saved by Evans, leaving the match level.

Just four minutes later the Church had the lead again. Manny Ilesanmi was picked out on the right-hand side, the winger was then brought down in the penalty area and referee David Jones awarded a penalty. Okafor took the spot kick and, although Philp did guess the correct side, Okafor emphatically found the top right corner to re-establish his side's lead.

City looked for a leveller late on with a free-kick in injury time. Thompson took the kick and it was Philp who headed wide after being given the go-ahead to come up for the final moments. Evans was also in action beforehand, making a double save from Charlie Royle and Ryan King, although the Assistant's flag was again raised for offside.

City couldn't find the equaliser and Alvechurch came away with the win and a passage into the Fourth Qualifying Round of the FA Cup. City's wonderful cup run may well have been ended by a higher league side, but the Lilywhites appeared to be the better team on the day. City will now go again on Tuesday night, hoping for a fifth win of the season, when they take on newly promoted Mulbarton Wanderers.

Thanks to Connor Taylor-Creek for the match report and to Iain Walker for the photo.