ALPORT host a prestigious friendly next Tuesday night when Crewe Alexandra are expected to bring an experienced side to Yockings.

The Railwaymen’s boss Dave Artell has hinted that the team will be a mix of experience and youth with several first teamers likely to play.

A big crowd is expected for the match with plenty of Crewe fans expected to make the short trip.

Alport manager Luke Goddard is hoping the town turn out in force to see the changes made at their Black Park Road home: “We’ve grown our fan base at a rate of knots and have a core of about 150.

“What we want to tap into are those curious people who maybe only keeping in touch with what’s happening here through social media or in the paper.

“I think the match against Alex will provide an excellent opportunity for us to showcase the seismic changes at the ground over the past three years.

“We haven’t rested on our laurels accepting we have a nice ground: we are turning it into a superb stadium with plenty to offer new or existing spectators.

“If our regulars could persuade a friend to come and have a look it may well prompt them to become regulars themselves.”

Alport have played two more pre-season fixtures with mixed fortunes.

Goals from Alex Hughes (penalty), Arron Jones and a beauty from Nicky Porter with the last kick of the match saw the Reds beat Eccleshall 3-1 at Yockings, before Saturday’s 2-0 reverse at Rhyl.

Goddard thought his side looked a little disjointed for the last half hour at Belle Vue: “I thought we absolutely battered them in the first half but suddenly we started to do things differently after the turnaround.

“Whether or not that was down to the number of subs we used is debateable. But all things considered it was a great run out for both sides.

“I was delighted with some of the link up play through midfield and up to the front men. We just need to sharpen up our act in front of goal as we have a potentially lethal strike force.”

The town of Whitchurch will have to wait a little longer to see its football team host an historic FA Cup tie.

Over the past couple of seasons, Whitchurch Alport have had to travel to the West Midlands. A cup victory at Coventry Sphinx was sandwiched between a couple of defeats at Walsall Wood.

And in the draw for the Emirates FA Cup lady luck once again eluded Alport.

They will be on the road in the first- round preliminary qualifier with Malvern Town the opposition.

Incredibly, should the Reds progress to the next stage they will be away again, this time at Coleshill Town.