ALVCHURCH boss Darren Byfield says his players must show more fight following their opening day defeat.

Church lost 3-0 at Royston Town last Saturday as their Southern League Central season got off to a disappointing start.

They now have back-to-back home games to bounce back and Byfield has demanded his side show more battling qualities.

He said: "I spoke to the boys after the game and explained that we have to be up for every battle.

"We know how we want to play but you have to be willing to earn the right to play first.

"Teams are going to try and stop us so we have to have a Plan B and be able to roll up our sleeves and go an fight.

"I'd rather it happened now when we are trying to gel as a side instead of at Christmas time.

"We'll be okay. We have two games coming up in quick succession and the lads have got a point to prove now.

"We won't dwell on the defeat but we must keep it in our minds and learn quickly from it."

Reds are set to welcome Barwell on Tuesday night before hosting Hitchin Town at Lye Meadow this Saturday.

Byfield has no major injury concerns but the games will come too soon for the returning Jordan Goddard.