Despite still being in search of his first win since taking over as Tividale boss last month, Dean Whitehouse is loving every minute of the tough challenge.

Whitehouse (pictured) took control of first-team matters at the Beeches following Ross Hill's decision to resign as manager of the Wets Midlands Premier Division outfit last month.

Last weekend's 3-2 defeat at home to Bewdley means it is now two defeats out of two for Tivi, but the new man is confident he has the ability to turn the club's fortunes around.

Whitehouse walked out on Dudley Town last December after guiding them into the top five, to re-join a club that is very close to his heart as Hill's assistant, but in only a matter of weeks he now has full control.

Whitehouse said: "I'm loving every minute of it here at Tividale because this is one of those jobs you would always love to have a go at.

"This is a big club with huge potential, which is destined for Alliance football and hopefully in time I will be the man to get us there.

"It is a great privilege to be given this job and I will certainly be doing my utmost to repay the committee."

Whitehouse will be using the rest of the campaign to have a look at his squad as well as giving members of the club's promising youth team a chance to shine as he concentrates on preparing for next season.

He added: "Although promotion this season is still possible I'm realistic enough to know that it's going to be very difficult to achieve.

"Therefore I will be looking to use the rest of the campaign a bit like a pre-season.

"People know how I work and just like I did at Dudley I will be looking to have a mix of youth and experience and get a buzz in the dressing room.

"I'm confident in my own ability that in the long-run we will be able to achieve our goals although in the short-term it would be nice to pick up that first win."

This Saturday they will travel across town to face Gornal Athletic (3pm kick-off).

The Peacocks slipped to a 4-2 defeat away at promotion-chasing Wednesfield on Saturday, but prior to that they had been on a good-run of form, which has seen them move out of the relegation zone.

The return of the influential Lee Lough to the Dudley Sports ranks will be a big boost to their push for promotion according to joint-manager Neil Perks.

The former Reading midfielder will be back in first-team contention for this Saturday's crunch home clash against promotion rivals Shawbury on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Sports have paid the price for missing a host of chances in the last two weeks, which have seen them go down 1-0 to Wednesfield before drawing 1-1with Ludlow last Saturday.

The availability of the experienced Lough plus the signing of Lye Town's prolific goalscorer Ashley Greenaway and the return from injury of Tom Isherwood will be a major help to their young charges .

Perks said: "We have created enough chances in the last two games to have won them both but I think the players have started to put a bit of pressure on themselves due to the great season they are having and have now started to snatch at chances.

"But the return of Lee along with Tom and the signing of Ashley will be a big help to the youngsters and I'm sure the results will pick up again.

"Lee's return is key because he has so much experience and that has been a big loss for us since Christmas."

Dudley Town were given an unexpected weekend off after their clash away at Pelsall Villa was postponed.

The Robins management duo of Rob Perks and Ian Rowe will now be preparing their troops for the visit of league leaders Bridgnorth Town to the Dell Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

10:45am Thursday 7th February 2008

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