ROSS Thorpe has appealed to the people of Alvechurch for their support this coming Saturday when they take on Westfields in the FA Vase, writes Nick Pullen.

It’s the biggest game to take place at Alvechurch’s Lye Meadow ground for some considerable time and Thorpe wants the village to come out in force and get behind the side.

Thorpe, who only took charge of the Church a month ago from Dean Holtham, claimed: “Oadby brought a big following when we beat them in the last round, but we had a large turnout of supporters ourselves and it was that support which got us through.

“The support was fantastic on that occasion and we need that support again as Westfields will prove a very tough team to beat.

“Every manager and player still in the competition at this stage has that dream of playing at Wembley, and we’re no different.

“We’ve had Westfields watched and they’re going to be a massive test. But these are the type of games you come into football management for.”

Thorpe offered no excuses for last Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to Coleshill Town.

He confirmed: “I had four or five players drop out at short notice with a sickness bug that’s going around at the moment.

“They included key players like Scott Smith and James Wilcox.

“But I’m not going to use that as an excuse because I don’t want to take anything away fromColeshill as they were a very good side, the best I’ve seen at this level, and in truth we didn’t get anywhere near them in the first half.

“We changed things around at half time and pulled it back to 2-1 through Andy Fitzmaurice.

“Then new signing Jack Cresswell has gone through and gets banged twice in the penalty area, but has tried to stay up. If he’d gone down, it was a penalty, but he was too honest.”

Creswell was captured from local rivals Studley, but started the season with FA Cup giant-killers Stourbridge.

Originally with Walsall as a youngster, Cresswell then had spells with Kidderminster Harriers and then Redditch United.

Thorpe insisted: “Jack is an outstanding player at this level of football.

“He had a short stint with me at Sutton Coldfield Town at the end of last season, but now I want to help him get back to the level where he should be.”

Cresswell is cup-tied for Saturday’s clash with Westfields, while Thorpe has injury doubts concerning Jason Trehearne.