ALVECHURCH took another significant step towards the Midland Combination title without kicking a ball at the weekend.

The Smedley Crooke Cup quarter final at home to Fernhill County Sports was an early victim of the wet weather so joint managers Andy Hibbert and Neil Bryan went to watch the top two clash between Marconi and Leamington.

And the duo were delighted to see the hosts go top with a 2-0 win.

The result means Church sit third, four points behind Marconi but with four games in hand and three points behind second placed Leamington with three games in hand.

Add the fact fourth placed Rugby failed to go above Alvechurch with a 3-3 draw at Pershore and the possibility the top two or three could go up to the Alliance if plans for an expanded Nationwide Conference go ahead and things are looking rosy at Lye Meadow.

Alvechurch's four pronged push for honours finally proved too much to sustain when the hosts crashed 5-1 to Alliance neighbours Studley in the Worcestershire Senior Urn final last week.

But manager Andy Hibbert has made no secret of the fact he wants the league and the Willie Knibbs Memorial Challenge Cup this season.

Church will take on mid-table First Division side Pilkington in the Challenge Cup final which looks set to be held at Moor Green - rather than Villa Park - on Saturday May 10.

But Hibbert was this week turning his thoughts to the league ahead of last night's derby cruncher at home to Feckenham - who stunned the Lye Meadow side 4-1 in the league at Christmas.

Defender Paul Smith is set to return after a twisted ankle and ball-winner Jason Rostill is available after recovering from a motorcycle crash, full back Neil Finan is sidelined by sciatica.

In a busy week Church visit Romulus on Saturday (ko 2.45pm) and entertain Fernhill County Sports on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm) by which time they could be top of the pile.