ALVECHURCH were this week hoping to continue their good form against Fernhill County Sports.

The Pershore Town tenants, formed in the close season from a merger between County Sports and Fernhill Heath OB, have already lost to Alvechurch twice this season and will have played them twice more by the end of the week.

FCS were set to visit Lye Meadow in the league on Tuesday but the match was postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

And they are the visitors on Saturday in the Smedley Crooke Cup quarter final (ko 2.45pm).

Fernhill crashed 5-0 in the previous league encounter and 3-2 in the Willie Knibbs Memorial Challenge Cup but have been strengthened by the arrival of defenders Mark Cund and Dean Hadley from Feckenham.

The hosts were last night set to be without defender Paul Smith (groin strain), sweeper Ross Knight (groin and hamstring) and midfielder Jason Rostill (swollen knee) but were hoping to welcome back prolific striker Brett Fleetwood after an achilles problem and throw in full back Neil Finan for his debut.

The former Oldbury left back, who played alongside Church boss Andy Hibbert in the title winning Alveston side, has joined from Division One side Pilkington.

Church will be hoping to continue their four-pronged challenge for honours in the Smedley Crooke Cup on Saturday, a competition they won two seasons ago, and hope to have Rostill ready for a return.

But Hibbert and joint manager Neil Bryan already have an eye on their return to league action at leaders Rugby Town on Tuesday, January 21, and hope to have their key players available for a match they must win.

The New Year's Day return against Feckenham and Saturday's trip to Bolehall fell victim to the weather.

Church will be hoping neighbours Feckenham can replicate the form which saw the Millers thrash them 4-1 on Boxing Day, when they visit Rugby on Saturday.

Alvechurch trail the leaders by five points.