UNBEATEN second-placed Needham Market will represent a stern test of Alvechurch’s credentials as Ian Long’s side aim to put right the wrongs of last weekend.
Despite taking a seventh-minute lead through Kyle McFarlane’s excellent run and finish into the bottom corner, Church failed to build on their promising start and were deservedly beaten 2-1 at Biggleswade Town on Saturday.
The hosts levelled through Joe Neal’s 48th-minute penalty awarded for handball before netting what proved to be the winner three minutes later through Jonathan Giles.
Jonathan Brown is unable to keep out the Biggleswade winner. Picture by Ian Macvie.Alvechurch will now bid to bounce back at the first opportunity at Lye Meadow on Saturday but Needham Market arrive with four wins and two draws to their name from six league matches.
Another tough fixture then awaits Church on Monday evening when they make the trip to Stourbridge, who are currently third.
Meanwhile, Alvechurch have bolstered their squad with the capture of Aston Villa under 23 defensive prospect Jake Walker.
The FA Trophy third qualifying round draw has pitted Alvechurch with an away fixture at Basford United on October 31.
Basford currently lie in third place in the Northern Premier League Premier Division – the same level as Church.
