ALVECHURCH have secured twin strikers Keith Rostill and Brett Fitzpatrick on playing contracts in the same week which saw disaffected front man Brian Powell return to ICIS Combination rivals Feckenham.

Rostill and new signing Fitzpatrick have fired Church to third in the table in a nine match unbeaten run which continued with a 4-2 win over Alveston on Saturday.

Lye Meadow manager Andy Hibbert pleaded ignorance over the fees the duo were receiving but confirmed he had let Powell go back to the club where he won the golden boot last season.

Powell departed the club after just one appearance - in the 3-0 win over Coleshill Town where he failed to score for the club.

News of another departure was welcomed by the Church boss, who said the decision of groundshare tenants Kings Heath to move to a permanent home at the Castle Vale Stadium would be good news for a notoriously poor Lye Meadow pitch.

After climbing to within a point of early pacesetters Rugby United, Church take a breather from ICIS Combination action when they visit West Midlands League Premier outfit Wellington in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Vase on Saturday (ko 3pm).

The winners will pocket £200 but Hibbert says he is motivated by a desire for a good run in the competition.

The replay, if required, would be staged next Tuesday or Wednesday.