ALVECHURCH folk are missing a treat these days!

Only 105 supporters turned up at the weekend to watch the Church pull Peterborough Sports apart with a 4-0 win to leave the men from Lye Meadow sitting in an automatic promotion place.

Yusifu Ceesday helped himself to a hat-trick while highly rated Ashley Carter converted another goal as the Church cantered to a commanding victory and have now lost just once in their last 18 league games.

But the atmosphere at Alvechurch was somewhat flat owing to the small size of the crowd which is now becoming a cause for concern.

Church manager Ian Long confirmed: "The first thing I said when we came out onto the pitch was 'blooming hell, there's no-one here!'

"I just don't know what we have to do to attract the crowds and it's becoming a bit embarrassing.

"We're well on target to win promotion for the second season running, but for some reason, the people don't come.

"We played really well in the first half against Peterborough to go 3-0 up, but the second half felt more like a training game, because there was no atmosphere.

"I know the Premiership clubs don't worry too much about the gate money these days, but it's vital to clubs like us. Every bit helps.

"We're playing well and sitting second in the table, yet football wise, I don't think there's anymore that we can do to bring the crowds in.

"A crowd total of 105 is really disappointing.

"Last season, we must have taken between 150 to 200 supporters to Lye Town when we were pushing for promotion. Where have all those people gone?"

Church travel to Market Drayton Town this Saturday looking to cement second place in Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One South.

Long could include Nathan Waite and Chris Whittingham in his squad as the pair have recently been out on loan at West Midland League side Wednesfield.

Connor Deards is also back training with the Church following a spell at Bromsgrove Sporting and could feature against Heath Hayes this week in the J W Hunt Cup, weather permitting.

Long confirmed: "Chris Whittingham has, in particular, been extremely unlucky with illness and injury. He's a Solihull based lad but played for Shortwood United last season while at university.

"He really impressed everyone during pre-season, but he keeps turning his ankle which has prevented us from seeing the best of him."