ALVECHURCH players should be getting quite familiar with their rivals from Stratford Town these days.

The sides drew 1-1 last Saturday in the FA Trophy to trigger a replay this week, which will ensure the sides will meet at least six times this season.

Church have already knocked Stratford out of the FA Cup this term and must have thought their latest meeting would produce a similar outcome when Josh March fired the Lye Meadow men into a 26th minute lead.

That advantage could have easily been extended when Church central defender Jamie Willetts headed against Stratford's post.

But eventually the game concluded in a stalemate when Michael Taylor levelled for Stratford on 49 minutes.

Church manager Ian Long admitted: "Stratford have improved considerably since our first meeting this season and came into the Trophy tie on a good run of form having gone eight games unbeaten, which included good results against Leiston and Kings Lynn.

"But in truth, it was a drab affair for a local derby with very little goalmouth action.

"In fact, the whole affair was a bit flat and clearly lacking in tempo. I imagine Stratford will have been far happier with the draw.

"We had much more of the possession without ever really hurting them".

Whoever wins the replay will be rewarded with a home tie against Mickleover Sports, who knocked out Redditch United, in the next round which is scheduled to take place on November 10.

Church look to continue their climb up the Evo-Stik Southern League Central Premier this Saturday when they entertain Kings Lynn.

The Church currently sit fifth in the table and Long has appealed to the people of Alvechurch to come and support them.

He claimed: "It makes a big difference when you have a good sized crowd shouting you on and I know the players appreciate it.

"It would be great to see a few more people at the ground as we really need the support and we'd love to give them a good run in the Trophy".

Long also confirmed he was tracking a couple of players this week with a view to increasing the squad especially after the departure of central defender Andy Parsons to rivals Redditch United.