ALVECHURCH will begin their countdown to the new season with a hastily arranged trip to Bromyard Town tomorrow night (Thursday).
The Churchmen had been due to play their first friendly of pre-season at Cradley Town but the Black Country side have had to call it off because their Beeches View ground is not yet playable.
Instead, Midland Premier side Alvechurch will now head to West Midlands Regional League outfit Bromyard’s Delahay Meadow (7.45pm) after they agreed to step in.
Alvechurch will face Cradley on Saturday (2pm) at Hadley Stadium’s artificial pitch in Smethwick.
Church manager Ian Long said: “It was a bit disappointing to find out at late notice that Cradley’s pitch isn’t ready but we’re grateful to be able to sort out a friendly with Bromyward. Hopefully the journey will be worthwhile.
“The lads have had eight really tough fitness sessions and they are desperate to starting playing some games.”
New recruits Tom Turton, Charlie Price, Aaron Lloyd and Andy Nicol will be among those to feature against Bromyard, but keeper Paul Evans (hamstring injury) and defender Mark Smith (holiday) are absent.
Alvechurch’s competitive season kicks off on August 6 when they begin the FA Cup trail with an extra preliminary round tie at Shropshire side Haughmond, who play in the West Midlands Premier Division.
The winners are away to Hereford, the team who pipped Church to the Midland Premier title last season after an epic battle.
