THE festive season has thrown up a Christmas plateful of derby dishes to set mouths watering across the town.

First up, Redditch United will be working off their turkey dinners as they travel two junctions up the M42 to Moor Green on Boxing Day for a high noon kick off.

At just 15 miles away The Moorlands is the closest derby day for United - despite Worcester City - and the festive clash is part of a double header which will see the Moors return to Valley Stadium on January 3.

Redditch have already beaten their closest rivals once this season in the Worcester Senior Cup and Reds boss Rod Brown was hoping for a double scalp on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile it doesn't get more claustrophobic in the Alliance than Studley versus Alvechurch who go head to head on Monday, December 27 also in a noon kick off at Studley's Beehive.

Studley have struggled for form as they close 2004 but boss Kevin Rowlands says form guides are of no use in games like this.

He said: "It's going to be a massive tie for us just because of the timing and our league positions.

"I see it as a Blues v Villa showdown really, the form guide and even the table goes out of the window like it did in that game.

"On paper you would expect them to beat us but we don't play football on paper.

"We'll all be up for it and it could be the game that really kick starts our season."

Rowlands remembers derby days in his career and admits pride had a big part to play in the games.

He said: "It was the period after the game that I can remember, all around the town.There's going to be a lot of spice in the game and it there's no doubt it will be very interesting."

Meanwhile, the 'Churchmen continue their form in league and cup and the Lye Meadow manager Peter Frain said he'll be going to Studley as he would any other game.

He said: "I didn't realise how much of a local derby it was until the chairman and the board told me.

"We'll be approaching it the same as any other game but you know these types of matches always add a bit of spice.

"We'll be well prepared for it but there's no doubt there will be a lot of passion on and off the pitch."

Finally Feckenham will be preparing for the visit of GJ Singh's Barnt Green Spartak on Tuesday, December 28 to complete the festive derby calendar.

Spartak will be at Valley Stadium for an 11.30am kick-off.