ALVECHURCH boss Ross Thorpe has admitted he’s found Alvechurch’s disappointing end of season hard to take.

Saturday’s 2-1 loss to Coventry Sphinx and Monday’s 3-0 defeat to Highgate United has seen Church’s winless run stretch to nine games.

He said: “I can’t fault the players for their efforts, they have given everything.

“But it has been a hard end to the season. We’ve been playing three games a week and have suffered from unavailability, injuries and suspensions.

“I didn’t want the season to fizzle out the way it has but to be honest, it has been hard on the players.”

Against Highgate, Alvechurch had been level until lethal marksman Lei Brown was introduced as a substitute and scored a penalty and two opportunistic strikes.

Thorpe added: “Lei is the best striker in this division and he made the difference.

“Up until then we had been in the game but you can’t account for his quality.”

Alvechurch will be hoping to end season with some positivity. They entertain Loughborough University tomorrow night (7.45pm ko) and Heather St Johns on Saturday (3pm ko).

Jack Cresswell serves his final game of a five-match ban. The midfielder was slapped with an extra game after picking up one game and three game bans in quick succession.

The club have also linked up with Bournville College to offer a Football Education Academy programme.

Trials for the scheme are being held on May 10 at Lye Meadow. Anyoner interested can contact the College on 0121 477 1314 or email katy.lowe@bournville.ac.uk l Meanwhile, Coventry’s The Selecter will headline the Mod and Ska festival, called Suited and Booted, which will be held at Alvechurch on May 24 and 25.

A host of other bands will be on hand for the weekend, which will see music fans camp down at the ground.

The club are hoping to improve on the 1,400 people who attended last year’s event.

Anyone interested can go to suitedbooted.co.uk Chairman Richard Thorndike said: “Last year the event raised a lot of money which helped the club get through the season, so we’re hoping it will be a big success again. We’re hoping for 2,000 people this year.”