IAN LONG suggests the emergence of unsung heroes like Mike Wardle and Connor Deards will keep every single Alvechurch player fully focused on winning the Midland League Premier Division title.
Saturday’s 2-0 win at Loughborough University – courtesy of goals from Deards and top scorer Josh March – left the Churchmen nine points clear of Coleshill Town, who have two games in hand, and 14 ahead of Lye Town, who have played three fewer matches.
Sporting Khalsa, who occupy fifth place, are 22 points with six games in hand.
Long stressed, with so much football to be played, Alvechurch remain one of four contenders, rather than champions-elect, but he is delighted with how his squad has been stepping up to the challenge.
He picked out the versatile Wardle and Deards, who has slotted into a central striking role, as an example how every player in the squad has a huge role to play.
“Mike and Connor have both spent time out of the side but they are going to be big players for us in the next few months,” said Long.
“Mike has been with me since I first became a manager at Tipton Town and I can see him having a major part to play. He gives us a lot of energy, he gets around the park, he can play in different positions and he has also scored vital goals against Lye and Walsall Wood.
“Connor has started to flourish too. He has played more centrally and, having been used more as an impact player, he now looks a stronger player and full of confidence.
“It’s really pleasing. It gives me options and that’s what every manager wants. It doesn’t make it any easier to pick a team though. I would have thought that with a couple of months left I would know my best side but I probably don’t. Every player is doing well and that’s all you want.”
Long also praised Wardle’s honesty after he effectively ruled himself out of the Loughborough game with an ankle injury. He had passed a fitness test but told Long he did not feel he would be 100 per cent.
“Mike deserves credit for his honesty. He sacrificed himself for the team,” said the manager. “That sends a message to every player.”
Wardle will hope to be fit on Saturday when Alvechurch begin a run of four home games in the next six when Long Eaton United visit Lye Meadow.
Defender Andy Parsons will also face a fitness test on a hamstring niggle but striker Danny Dubidat starts a three-match ban.
Long, who has added further competition in the goalkeeping ranks by drafting in Walsall Wood keeper Lewis Gwilliams, insisted the fans will have a huge part to play in the run-in.
“The support has been growing and the fans really do make a difference,” said Long. “We’d love to have more people coming to support us.
“It would be great to see the fans there and encouraging us over the line.”
After the Long Eaton fixture, Alvechurch host Brocton on Tuesday in the JW Hunt Cup quarter-finals.
