DYNAMO Dudley retained top spot in the Redbox Signmakers Beacon Championship this week, but they did not have it all their own way against battling Black Country Fusion.

The league pacesetters led three times, but on each occasion BCF struck back to level the scores. However, just ten minutes remained when Kyle Carter struck to secure a narrow 4-3 win for Dynamo, the reigning champions ninth league success in ten this term.

Joining Carter on the scoresheet for Dynamo were Leon Naylor, Aaron Dunn and Aaron Lloyd, while Callum Betts, Dan Benivar and and Don Latham kept things tight for BCF.

Dynamo continue to lead the way by three points from new boys FC Premier, who have a slightly better goal difference than Pensnett Panthers, who have a match in hand on the top two.

FC Premier continued their good form with a eighth victory in ten, defeating visiting Sandwell Action 3-1. However, FC Premier official Stewart Ilsley said his side, who had a player red-carded in the second period, wasted several other good chances.

Top scorer Kyle Thorp bagged another brace, while Hayden Bowyer rounded off the scoring for FC Premier. Jason Mason responded for Sandwell.

This Sunday, the Panthers open their defence of the Birmingham FA Sunday Amateur Cup, and they warmed up in style, hitting lowly neighbours Pensnett Youth 10-0.

The Panthers, who cracked eight second half goals, had Dean Burton leading the charge with a hat-trick. Also on the mark were Tom Woodall, Dom Parkes, Grant Hill (all two) and Jordan Langford.

Still undefeated on the league front, and securing their sixth league win in seven, were Old Cross Athletic after they emerged worthy 4-1 victors at mid-table Springvale Steelers. Star of the show was three-goal Ashley Thompson and Ryan Dixon. The Steelers had led early on through John Hughes.

On the county cup scene this Sunday, Dynamo Dudley, who were beaten finalists last season, visit Erdington in the BCFA Sunday Vase.