ALVECHURCH returned to winning ways after overcoming a nightmare trip to Leiston.

Church players took nearly six hours to get from Worcestershire to Suffolk on Saturday but still returned with a much-needed three points.

Major traffic disruption saw kick-off delayed but an own goal and a Josh Ezewele strike saw the visitors race to a two-goal advantage before the half hour mark.

Leiston pulled one back in the second half but Alvechurch made sure they came out on top.

Boss Darren Byfield was full of praise for the way his players overcame the difficult journey.

He said: "It was a great win and not just because of everything that happened with the travelling.

"It was a good performance and we were comfortable before we conceded but then had to dig in and show the right character.

"It was a nightmare day before the game and I can't praise the players enough after what happened.

"The coach was late, then we discovered the driver needed to have a 45 minute break and then there was major traffic on the A14.

"We left at 9.15am and didn't arrive at the ground until just before 3pm. They delayed the kick-off for us and we managed to get in the tunnel and ready to go by 3.30pm.

"I have nothing but complete praise for the boys after that. I am so proud of them for how they did after such a journey. They were impeccable.

"I think we've done well this season without getting the results, but we have kept taking the positives.

"All we can do is keep working with the players we have and giving them the chance. We don't have the finances of a lot of sides in the league so we will keep taking chances on the lads and seeing how we can progress."

Church are due to face Wolverhampton Sporting in the JW Hunt Cup on Tuesday before Saturday's away FA Cup clash against the winner of Belper Town or Sporting Khalsa.