ALVECHURCH maintained top spot in the Midland Football League with a comprehensive 3-0 beating of bottom side Brocton.

Anxious Church boss Ian Long feared a potential banana-skin at Brocton but that prospect proved unfounded as Alvechurch were soon in front with a well worked Josh March goal.

Further goals from March and David Bellis sealed the points and Long admitted: "It was very comfortable. The early goal settled us down and we were never in danger.

"The only downside was the injury to Ryan Winwood who dislocated his shoulder in the first half and had to be taken by ambulance to Stafford Hospital.

"Ryan's arguably been our player of the season so far and the injury is worrying as he dislocated his shoulder last season while weightlifting in the gym.

"Skipper Mark Smith went with Ryan in the ambulance to hospital and the coach had to make a detour to pick him up on the way back."

Long was looking to arrange a friendly fixture with Studley this week ahead of Saturday's important FA Vase clash with Sporting Khalsa.

The Church are hoping for a bumper crowd at Lye Meadow and Long revealed: "I speak to their manager Ian Rowe on a regular basis and we're both agreed it's going to be a tough battle.

"The FA Vase is the one competition you earmark at the start of the season and look to have a good run. We've been exempt up to this point after reaching the last 32. We're looking for another good run this time."

Church will be staging a raffle during the game for Sporting Khalsa's Danny Ashton who has broken his leg in four places.

It's hoped both Ashton and Winwood will be at the game and Long added: "Danny Ashton played for me at Tividale. He was a player I didn't want to lose when he left for Sporting Khalsa. He's having a bad time at the moment and it's only right that Alvechurch should do its bit."