ALVECHURCH'S mounting fixture backlog worsened at the weekend with another postponement.

After losing last week's league clash against Coventry Sphinx to a frosty pitch, Saturday's home Challenge Cup tie against Romulus also fell victim to the freezing conditions.

And Church manager Mick Preece fears he will have to dip into his reserves when the matches come thick and fast later in the season.

"The problem with having to squeeze in matches is the demands put on your squad," said the Lye Meadow boss.

"You either have a large squad, which brings its own problems or you field some reserves.

"But there's no point having a reserve side if you won't use them."

Preece saw his charges beat lower league Bromsgrove Rovers Reserves 2-1 away in the Worcestershire Senior Urn to set up a home clash with Alliance form team Stourbridge on a date to be fixed.

But he is set to lose former Redditch United stopper Matt Pugh for a fortnight after he was set to go into hospital for a clean up operation on his knee yesterday (Tuesday).

Young defender Paul Summers was standing by for the league match against visiting Sutton Town last night (ko 7.45pm).

Midfielder Paul Court is still ruled out by an ankle injury but Andy Hicks was hoping to return after flu.

Defender Matt Davis was set to resume training after an ankle injury and is aiming for a place in the squad to visit Cheslyn Hay on Saturday (ko 2.45pm).