DESPITE his insistence he does not care where his side finish in relation to Alvechurch, Studley manager Kevin Rowlands admitted it would be satisfying to get one over on their neighbours when the two come head-to-head at the Beehive on Saturday (ko 3pm).

Rowlands, who saw his side fall 2-1 to title-hopefuls Malvern Town at the weekend, says achieving the goals he set himself were his priority regardless of Alvechurch's final league position.

But admitted that he was still smarting from three defeats at the hands of a Lye Meadow side managed by former boss Peter Frain.

"We played three times against Frainy's side and got nothing to show for it," said Rowlands. "We felt we deserved something out of two of those games.

"Of course it's a derby because they are our nearest rivals. It's not like a Sunday league derby where all the players socialise together but there is still pride at stake. A derby's a derby after all."

And the Bees boss insists his side go into the game from a position of strength despite a harsh weekend defeat which came despite skipper Mark Neath's scrambled 40th minute equaliser.

"I was disappointed not to have come away with a lot more than no points," he said.

"But for the first time in ages we had a strong five-man bench and had to leave someone out despite being without three players.

"Hopefully we will be in the same position on Saturday."

Rowlands continues to run the rule over untried new faces with Moor Green youth keeper Jamie Atkins impressing in his second game and Joe 'JJ' Cole doing well on his debut after making the step up from AFA side Kenilworth.

With striker Danny Lennon making his return at the weekend after months out with a knee injury and fellow forward Junior Hewitt expected to return to the fold after work commitments, Rowlands is looking forward to another selection headache.

ALVECHURCH manager Shaun Cunnington's commitment to spot the best young players in the club's catchment area has seen him bring in two teenagers with impressive pedigree this week, ahead of Saturday's derby cruncher at Studley.

Last week's windblown 2-1 win at home to Westfields saw Birmingham City youngster Oliver Hartill make an assured debut and former Port Vale right-back Gareth Davies signed in time to be involved in last night's planned home game against fellow strugglers Causeway United.

Hartill has moved from St Andrews, where he has played for the youth team, on a month-long loan and Cunnington is already hoping Steve Bruce can be persuaded to let the 17-year-old midfielder stay until the end of the season.

Davies was snapped up after being released by the Potteries club and Cunnington says dropping down into the Midland Alliance can be beneficial for the 18-year-old full-back.

"Gareth will have to cope with the disappointment of being released but I think it's best for players like that to get back playing as soon as possible," said the Church manager.

"Playing games will be beneficial for him and gives him the chance to put himself in the shop window."

A Jamie McWilliams penalty and an Alex Hunt own goal gave the hosts a two-goal lead on Saturday which was only cut by Paul Jones' last-minute consolation.

Cunnington was hoping to put a run together against Causeway and Studley as well as the visit of Oldbury United on Tuesday (ko 7.45pm).