DUDLEY Sports boss Tony Gore is hoping precedent works in his club’s favour when the West Midlands League decides whether or not to award them three points for their unplayed game with Darlaston Town.

The match was abandoned with Dudley winning 1-0 then postponed on another three occasions, latterly at 5.30 on match night with Sports’ players on the way to the game after Darlaston were unable to raise a team.

Gore says that in the previous season Shawbury United were handed a 3-0 win in similar circumstances, a result which ironically pushed Sports down the table one place.

The implications are important as a win would have pushed Dudley up the table three places into 14th and almost certainly securing a place in the FA Cup, and with the draw for that competition imminent Gore hopes the league will act quickly.

Gore said: “We did all we could to get the game played, we’ve done all we can, and it needs to be decided soon. “If we aren’t awarded the win then something is not right.”

Meanwhile, Gore has also revealed that keeper Sam Pearson has left the club to join Halesowen Town.

Pearson is a product of the Stourbridge youth system run by Dave King and spent three years with Sports.

“Sam has been fantastic for us,” said Gore. “He goes with our best wishes. He is one of several players we’ve had from Stourbridge and perhaps they have missed a trick not re-signing him but it is testament to Dave King and his very successful youth system that he has gone on to bigger and better things.

“As a club we give young players a chance, we do things right and are run professionally. We have taken four or five from Dave who have all done well for us.”