ALVECHURCH manager Ian Long trumpeted the loyalty of Halesowen target Josh March before firing a broadside at “disrespectful” counterpart John Hill.

Flexible frontrunner March, who scored five in his first seven outings this season, turned down the chance to jump two divisions with Yeltz in the same week Hill bemoaned a lack of ambition from young players on social media.

Long took that as a swipe at his club and came out fighting.

“Josh turned down Halesowen because he believes Alvechurch is an ambitious club,” said Long. “He wants to progress but he knows he can do that with us.

“It is really pleasing when a lad sees an opportunity to play a couple of levels higher but still stays.

“Their manager posted about kids having no ambition which I assume was aimed at us, although they have banged in a lot of seven-day approaches recently.

“I thought it was naughty and a bit disrespectful to be honest. We have big plans with the new ground and I am an ambitious manager. We all want to go higher.

“I am over the moon that Josh can see the potential at Alvechurch. We play a really good style of football as well whereas Halesowen are very direct. Josh didn’t feel that would have suited him.”

Hill said the comments had not been specifically directed towards Church but that he had been "flabbergasted" by March's decision.

On the pitch, Church beat AFC Wulfrunians 3-1 to secure their first home win of the season on Saturday.

Defender Andy Parsons settled the nerves with an early goal before Jamie Spencer and Andy Nicol scored late in each half. The visitors grabbed a consolation in added time.

Top scorer March and left-back Zack Foster were eligible to return from three-match bans with Jack Cresswell and Jordan Nadat also back in contention for places at Stourport last night (Tuesday).

All four could feature at Walsall Wood on Saturday (3pm).