ALVECHURCH saw their prospects of promotion improve this week without even kicking a ball.

While Church had a free weekend, title rivals Lye Town and Westfields handed them a boost by both losing their matches.

Church boss Ian Long said: "The title is within our own hands now - but I think it's going to be a close run affair that will go all the way."

Top of the table Church can take a giant step towards the title this Saturday when they travel to face second placed Lye Town at Stourbridge Road in the Midland League match of the day.

Long has called upon all Church supporters to make the short trip to Lye, he added: "We need as much support as we can get, the more, the better.

"We should be at full strength, so there will be no excuses. Our preparation will be bang on, but I'm expecting a really hard game."

Church gave themselves a massive insight as to what to expect after beating Lye Town 1-0 in the Midland League Cup last week courtesy of a Connor Deards goal.

Such is the commitment at Church that Long and several members of his staff made the trip to Long Eaton at the weekend to watch them beat Lye.

Long admitted: "When we heard that Westfields had lost as well, we were all jumping around in the stand at Long Eaton, we showed no class at all. We tried to fight it, but couldn't".