ALVECHURCH have experienced an up-and-down week with progression in the League Cup followed by an eventful defeat in the league.

Shaun Cunnington's troops saw off struggling Stratford Town in the knockout competition last week - albeit after a 5-4 penalty shootout victory.

And the hosts certainly played their part in a seven-goal thriller at Lye Meadow on Saturday, equalising three times only to lose out 4-3 at home to Atherstone.

A Keith Rostill leveller last week cancelled out Daniel Hicks' opener for Stratford and with the sides level after extra time it took spot-kicks to earn Church a second round berth.

Rostill was also on the mark at the weekend, pouncing in the 16th minute to level Roy Dunkley's sixth-minute strike.

Dunkley went on to compete his hat-trick in the 20th and 41st minutes but Craig Pountney - in the 37th minute - and Anthony Sutton, with a goal seven minutes from time, kept the hosts in it only for Chris Partridge to break their hearts five minutes from the end.

And there was set to be no let-up this week with Church set to host Oadby Town last night (Tuesday) and visiting Oldbury United on Saturday (ko 3pm).