ALVECHURCH manager Shaun Cunnington hopes Lye Meadow will become a fortress over the next few weeks.

The Midland Alliance strugglers face six home matches this month starting with games against Loughborough Dynamo on Saturday and Chasetown on Tuesday, January 10.

"If we can get five wins from those six games then we will be back up there in the pack," Cunnington said.

"I think that is a realistic target. People don't like coming to Alvechurch with our sloping pitch and we have to make the most of that, turning it into a bit of a fortress."

There were mixed fortunes for Church over Christmas - a 2-1 Boxing Day victory over Cradley Town being superseded by a 1-1 draw with Leamington and a 3-1 defeat at home to high-flying Romulus.

Ben Usher notched a second half penalty in Monday's defeat but the visitors had already claimed the honours with a first half treble.

"We got bullied out of it before half-time," the manager explained. "They are a physical side and work hard for each other. But we gave them the goals with three defensive mistakes and you cannot do that and expect to get away with it.

"We dominated the second half but the game was over by then."

Neil Kitching struck Alvechurch's equaliser in the match with Leamington while a goal in each half from captain Keith Rostill earned his side the points over Cradley.

And Rostill looks set to stay at Lye Meadow despite an audacious attempt by Redditch United to lure him to the Valley Stadium.

"Keith will always attract attention but we want to keep him at the club and that's why we have put him on an extended contract," Cunnington added.

"He is happy to stay at the club and his aspirations match mine. At this level you are not going to get a better player in his position."