ASTWOOD Bank will have to overturn the odds at the weekend if they are to fly the flag for the Crusader League in the regional semi final of the National Village Knockout Cup.

The Bank, who beat Elmley Castle in the last round, visit Worcestershire League high-fliers Eastnor on Sunday and are gunning for a place in the last four of the Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Powys region.

The winners entertain Holt and Grimley or Cotswold Hills League Premier Division outfit Overbury in the regional semi.

Alex Robinson's troops face an exhausting schedule of three matches in three days.

The Sambourne Lane side visit second from bottom Cookley on Saturday before the cup trip to Eastnor on Sunday and finish at home to promotion-hopefuls Brockhampton on Monday.

None of the four Redditch sides managed any play in a Worcestershire programme decimated by rain at the weekend.

The derby match between Astwood Bank and Alvechurch and Hopwood was one of four fixtures - along with the visit of Stourport to Feckenham - which was rained off.

Alvechurch had the chance to go top of Division Two with the top two fixture between Bewdley and Brockhampton also a washout but had to settle for the standard five points to lie six points adrift of the pacesetters.

John Rose's side will be hoping for better luck in Saturday's derby game at home to Feckenham and visit sixth placed Malvern Ramblers on Bank Holiday Monday (both matches 2pm start).

The Mill Lane side will be hoping to climb the table in the village clash and are at home to Cookley on Monday (2pm start).