ALVECHURCH manager Ian Long has called for calm as the club continues to charge up the league.

His side hit the dizzy heights of third place in Evo Stik Southern Central Premier Division this week following their 3-2 win over St Neots Town.

Long insisted: "People are beginning to flap - but we're in a false position.

"The fixtures have been very kind to us and we haven't had to face any of the really long journeys yet. Everyone needs to calm down.

"When we reach the 40 point mark, we'll look at it again.

"There are too many good sides in this league with much more money than we have who can bring in players to help get you over the line.

"We haven't got that option even though there are areas where we need to improve."

Long revealed he had a huge debate with his assistant Richard Colwell as to whether they started with Kieron Cook or Josh March against St Neots.

In the end it was Cook who got the call and he responded by netting twice before Kyle Morrison came up with the winner.

Long added: "The choice divided opinion but I think I got that one right. Josh was really good about it and he was the first one to congratulate Cookie when he scored.

"Cookie scored after six minutes and we were all over St Neots for the first 20 to 25 minutes. But then we were guilty of taking our foot off the gas and we let them back into the game, to the point where they were leading 2-1 at half time.

"I really tore the players off a strip at half time. They thought it was going to be easy.

"Whatever I said, it worked, because we were back level immediately after half time before going on to win."

The Church were boosted by the return of Ash Carter from troubled National League side Nuneaton Borough.

Long said: "It's a good move for us. Having Ash back on board gives us plenty of options, especially as we've lost Taylor Morrison to Stratford Town.

"There's also uncertainty over Yousef Ceesay. His loan deal from Blackpool has expired.

"We'd like to keep hold of him for a bit longer but Blackpool may well want him to step up and play at a higher level."

The Church have no fixture this Saturday but then host Stratford Town at Lye Meadow on Tuesday night.

It will be the fifth meeting between the sides already this season, so they should know what to expect.