ALVECHURCH boss Ian Long believes Heanor Town will be a tough start to the Midlands Premier.

The Lye Meadow outfit kick-off their league campaign at home to the East Midlands side on Saturday, August 13.

Many expect Church to build on their second-place finish in the league, where they had a sizeable gap over the rest of the division, but the manager is expecting a tough campaign.

He said: “Heanor have strengthened and they finished fifth last season so it won’t be easy. We had a bad start to the season last year against AFC Wulfrunians, but bounced back very well, but I want us to hit the ground running this time around.”

Church’s first competitive match is on Saturday, August 6, when they go to Shropshire-based Haughmond (3pm kick off) in the extra-preliminary round.

After Heanor, they go to St Andrew’s on Tuesday, August 16 (7.45pm), and then take on Hereford away in the FA Cup preliminary round, if they defeat Haughmond.

Alvechurch entertain Lye Town on Tuesday, August 23, before ending the month away at Long Eaton on Saturday, August 27 and Highgate United on Monday, August 29.

Winger Simon Williams has signed for Church from Lye Town, with the management team still keen to add more players.

Church drew 2-2 with Squires Gate in Blackpool on Saturday, thanks to goals for Andy Nicol and Josh March, and then won the penalty shoot out 4-1.

They took on Halesowen Town at home on Tuesday night, go to Wolverhampton Sporting Community on Thursday (7.45pm), then home games against Sutton Coldfield on Saturday (3pm) and Stourbridge on Monday (7.45pm).

Long added: “We played the same teams last season and won but it’s a big step up in terms of difficulty for us.”