FA CUP fever will be gripping Alvechurch this weekend ahead of Saturday's clash with Corby Town.

The Church will be bidding to book their place in the third qualifying round, manager Ian Long said: "The game has got the place buzzing.

"It's massive from our perspective, not just for the progression, but with the prize money involved.

"The amount on offer is vital to a club like Alvechurch and we will be leaving nothing to chance."

Church had Corby Town watched last Saturday as they dismantled North Leigh 8-1 and Long warned: "Although we are ranked a level higher than Corby, I expect a very tough game. They are riding high in their division and I'm expecting them to bring plenty of support.

"That is why it's vital we can get as many of our supporters out for the game as possible.

"They beat us 3-1 in the league last season at their place but we turned the table on them at home.

"Both sides will fancy their chances of progressing, that's why we need all the support we can get."

Such is the importance of Saturday's cup clash that Long was prepared to utilise his squad for the midweek game with Stourbridge.

He added: "The FA Cup is the priority and I won't be risking any of the players against Stourbridge if any of them are carrying knocks.

"If we progress, it will give me the scope to strengthen the squad, because there are still areas where we need to improve".

Church stretched their unbeaten run to six games last Saturday with a 1-1 draw at Hitchin Town.

Charlie Smith fired Hitchin into an early lead but Josh March levelled for Church on 51 minutes.

However Long later stressed his dismay at not being able to claim maximum points.

He said: "We were the better side but we didn't create as much from open play as we should have.

"Hitchin were very complimentary afterwards about our style of play and it just goes to show how far we've come that we can now travel to step three sides and come away disappointed when we don't win."