ALVECHURCH manager Andy Hibbert has praised managerial partner Neil Bryan for his good work in the club's goal-laden start to the season.

Bryan, often overlooked as joint manager, has shouldered the burden in recent weeks with Hibbert snowed under by work commitments and a protracted house move.

The Church maintained their unbeaten run but dropped two points at home to Romulus after going 2-0 up against ten men.

Hibbert was hoping to get his side back on track for the visit of lowly Cheslyn Hay last night.

The visitors sat fourth from bottom going into the game and a win for Alvechurch would see them reduce leaders Leamington's six point advantage by playing their game in hand.

The manager was set to rotate his squad with full backs John Price and Nick Rudge replaced by Matty Johal and Wayne Mitchell.

And Hibbert was boosted by the naming of his side as the Bromsgrove and Redditch Trophies Premier Division Team of the Month for September.

The big test comes on Saturday, when Church entertain ICIS joint title favourites Rugby in the First Round Proper of the FA Vase (ko 2.45pm).

The born-again visitors are expected to bump the crowd up to between 400 and 500 visitors and Hibbert wants to strike a psychological blow against the visitors to start what he hopes will be a good run in the national competition.

And the games come thick and fast with Alvechurch at third placed Coventry Marconi next Wednesday (ko 7.45pm).

Headless Cross Ladies have been taken on as tenants at Lye Meadow after Kings Heath's departure.

The West Midlands Regional League Division One South side announced their arrival with a 13-1 win over Knowle on Sunday and will play home games at the ground when it is not needed by Alvechurch under 13s.