ALVECHURCH boss Ian Long and his assistant Richard Colwell committed their future to Lye Meadow this week after turning down the chance to take charge of a rival Evo Stik Southern League Premier Central side.

The pair have been agreed a new 12 month extension to their current deal which effectively keeps them at Church for the next 18 months.

Long admitted: “I think everyone knows the club concerned and of course, it was a difficult decision. But we’ve been through so much with this current set of players at Church, who have been so very loyal to me and I just felt we should be loyal to them.

“Kyle Morrison has recently turned down a move to Barwell while Lee Chilton chose to stay after interest from Bromsgrove Sporting

“We’re targeting the play-offs, although we have to defend better than we did against Bedworth, if we want to get into them!

Long confirmed he gave his players a roasting despite the fact they beat bottom side Bedworth 3-0.

Goals from Keiron Cook, Taylor Morrison and a Tom Turton penalty did the trick as Church kept a fifth clean sheet in six games.

But Long insisted: “It was more by luck than judgement that we kept a clean sheet on this occasion. “Bedworth were very wasteful in front of goal and Dan Crane had to make a great save to prevent Bedworth from taking the lead.

“But I’m not laying blame on the back four, but all of the side as everyone has to defend. If we defend like we did against the better sides in this league, we’ll soon start conceding goals!

Church can ill-afford any slip-up this Saturday when they entertain play-off rivals Biggleswade Town which sees sixth placed verses fifth.

Church will be missing Ash Carter who is suspended for one more game while Lee Chilton is struggling with a groin injury.

But Long hopes to have Stourbridge midfield man Tom Tonks on board after serving seven days.

At the same time Long will be keeping his fingers crossed that central defender Jamie Willetts turns down an approach from Bromsgrove Sporting.