ROSS Thorpe wants Alvechurch to end their poor run of results against Black Country sides.

Traditionally, the Churchmen have struggled against their Midlands neighbours but they face three teams who all hail from the West Midlands conurbation.

After drawing with Tipton 4-4 on Tuesday night, Alvechurch go to improving Gornal Town on Saturday (3pm ko), entertain title favourites Tividale next Tuesday (7.45pm kick-off) and then travel to AFC Wulfrunians on April 12.

The Lye Meadow outfit have only one win against a Black Country side so far this season, October’s 2-1 victory over Walsall Wood.

Saturday’s opponents Gornal have struggled all season with a succession of managers but Andy Wyton’s arrival from Dudley Town along with a slew of players has begun to yield an improvement in their fortunes.

Thorpe said: “My chairman keeps reminding me about the club’s poor record against sides from the Black Country.

“But we will go out there and do as always do, our best.

“Gornal have done pretty well in the last few weeks, Andy Wyton has started to turn it around.”

Thorpe had strengthened before last week’s registration deadline.

Striker Chris Chapman joined from Earlswood, while midfielder Luke Dugmore also came on board.

Both played in Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Walsall Wood, but Dugmore will only be able to play one game because of family commitments, which was unbeknown to Thorpe when he signed the midfielder.

“It was a good point on Saturday,” added the manager.

“We had created quite a few chances to score and on another day we would have taken all three.

“Walsall had played four games last week but they are a good side and made things difficult.”

Alvechurch were set to welcome back Rico Taylor, who served a one-match suspension at the weekend.

However, Mark Bandurak is a doubt for Saturday after injuring his shoulder, while Chris Hughes is suspended.

Thorpe added: “We have got 18 or 19 players until the end of the season now the registration deadline has passed. We were missing a few against Walsall Wood but we are in okay shape.”