Match Previews

Shan ahead of Birmingham Senior Cup tie

JAMES Shan has challenged his side to make sure they progress into the last four of the Birmingham Senior Cup.

Albion’s under-23s take on Alvechurch in the quarter finals of the competition on Thursday night after the original game was postponed on Monday because of the snow. 

The young Baggies have beaten Coventry Sphinx and Leamington to get this far, and Shan is targeting success in the cup to end a tough season in style.

“We’ve played two matches in this competition and been very good in both games,” he said.

“It’s definitely nice to have a different focus because obviously the league has been a challenge.

“If we get through this one then we’re just one game away from the final. We’ve put a little bit more focus on it this season than we have in previous years.”

Alvechurch currently sit second in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South table, winning 10 of their 14 home league matches so far this season.

They overcame Redditch United and Rushall Olympic to reach the last eight, and Shan is expecting a tough game from the Worcestershire side.

“They’ve got some good players, we’ve watched some bits of them from what they post on social media,” he added.

“By all accounts they’ve had a decent league campaign. Lots of their players will have been at the stage of their career that our young lads are at now, in terms of being at professional football clubs.

“I’d imagine it will be a tough test. Whenever you play a non-league team they always up the ante and try to work that little bit harder to get a win.”

Kick off at Lye Meadow is at 7.45pm, with tickets costing £5 for adults and £3 for concessions.

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