ALVECHURCH have drafted in former Wolverhampton Academy player Jacob Gibson as striker Luke Shearer secured his move to Redditch United this week.

Gibson is set to make the step up from youth football to the senior side of the game after signing for the Walshes Meadow outfit.

Manager Lee Adams said: “Jacob is a skilful quick winger but he’s going to take a bit of time to settle at our level.

“This is his first foray into senior football, which is a much more difficult move than many realise.”

Shearer has agreed to sign for Redditch and move up two levels from the Midlands Premier to the Southern Premier.

He is one of a trio of new additions at the United, who are looking for replacements for Jamie Spencer and Jermaine Hylton, who looks set to join Swindon Town.

Shearer becomes the sixth player in the last 18 months to switch from Walshes Meadow to The Valley, with Jordan Cullinane-Liburd and Spencer the most recent.

Adams said: “I wish Luke all the best. I believe he will be a very good player if he keeps developing and will end up playing even higher than Redditch.

“It’s disappointing to see another player join Redditch, but they have gone about everything the right way and done nothing wrong.”

Alvechurch’s game on Saturday at home to Westfields was rained off and they kicked off a busy period at Coleshill last night (7.45pm ko) in the Premier Division League Cup.

Church then go to Rocester on Saturday (3pm ko) and entertain Stourport Swifts on January 13 (7.45pm ko).

Meanwhile, Studley will be hoping to earn local bragging rights on Saturday, when they tackle Feckenham at home in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup (3pm ko). The Bees saw their home game against Cadbury postponed last weekend because of the wet weather.