Studley goalkeeper Craig Johnson has been offered the chance to fulfil his dream of playing professional football after a successful trail with Spanish side Torrevieja FC.

The 20-year-old former Solihull Borough reserve and Kidderminster Harriers youth is wanted by the Spanish League 3 team.

Torrevieja have turned professional under former Birmingham City and Norwich City pro Kenny Brown after securing promotion from Spain's equivalent of the Conference last season.

After impressing in three training sessions, and for the first team in a training game against the reserves, Johnson had the nod.

"They have said they want me to sign for them but I have to go over there and sort out personal terms and find somewhere to live," said a delighted Johnson.

"I've always wanted to be a professional and when I trained with them I found the standard of goalkeeping wasn't as high as I had expected."

Johnson, who made two appearances for Solihull last season whilst on a season-long loan to the Bees, could be heading out for a new life within four weeks. But he was set to return to aid Kevin Rowlands' Studley side for last night's trip to Chasetown and the visit of Stourbridge on Saturday (ko 3pm).

That will be a relief for the manager with player-coach Trevor Whittington pressed into service between the sticks in last week's eventful 5-3 win at Cradley Town.

With Johnson absent, Mark Shiels ruled out by groin and back problems and last season's custodian Mark Sanders ruled out by work commitments, the Bees turned to midfielder Whittington.

Goals from Warren Givens - on his first start - Simon Fitter, Adam Blake, Rob Ager and Scott Walsh eventually sealed a topsy-turvy encounter.

But there was disappointment at the weekend as Studley's FA Vase hopes were ended in a 1-0 defeat at home to Alliance rivals Leamington Spa. Whittington was replaced in goal by Jason Print, keeper for Rowlands' Sunday side Black Horse.

Rowlands was still in the dark this week over the availability of Evesham United loanee Steve Hands, who was called-up by the Southern League club for the trip to Cradley.

n ALVECHURCH chairman Peter Eacock said the club will not be rushed into finding a new manager.

Applications had already started arriving and according to the Lye Meadow chief, there were one or two surprise candidates.

"There have been a few surprises and some good quality applicants," Eacock explained.

"We are going to wait, probably until the end of the week, and then start sorting through them all. It should be very interesting."

Caretaker manager Colin Strong took charge for Church's FA Vase clash at Gedling MW and, helped by players Keith Rostill and Brett Fitzpatrick, saw the side to a 2-1 extra time win.

Rostill led the way with a first half opener but chances went begging which allowed the Nottinghamshire outfit back into the game.

"It was one-way traffic early on and we had a number of chances to add to Keith's goal with Neil Kitching and Junior Hewitt both going close," Eacock added.

"They gave it their all after the break and scored an equaliser to take the match into extra time."

Hewitt finally found the net with a fine solo goal in the extra period to restore Church's lead and from then on the visitors were in total control.

Alvechurch head to Rocester on Saturday before welcoming high-fliers Malvern Town on Tuesday.