Big Vase test

10:32am Thursday 20th September 2007

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Dudley Town boss Dean Whitehouse is busily cooking up a winning recipe as his team prepare for their visit to Friar Lane on Saturday in the FA Vase.

The Robins have been hit and miss in The West Midlands Premier Division so far this season and have also been dumped out of the FA Cup 5-0 by Barwell, so a run in the Vase would be a welcome relief.

The manager's plans have been severely dented by players moving on to pastures new and a crippling injury list, but he's still determined to make progress in the famous competition.

He said: "We really have been hit and miss this season but we haven't been helped by players leaving and the lengthy injury list we currently have.

"We have got a host of young inexperienced players in the squad at the moment and they are learning all the time but it is difficult especially with the financial constraints we have.

"Saturday's game away at Friar Lane will not be easy because they are top of the league but I'm confident we can go there and a get a result.

"A good run in this competition would be great for the club."

Former assistant manager Whitehouse took over after Mark Kavanagh moved to Willenhall and despite the difficulties he has encountered in attracting players and a lack of investment he's loving every minute.

He said: "This is my first role as manager and it has been harder than I expected but I'm enjoying every minute of it because Dudley Town is a club with great tradition.

"It would be nice to get more support down here at the Dell Stadium both in numbers through the gate and also sponsors.

"We are slowly getting there but we definatley need more help."

If Saturday's clash finishes all square the replay will take place at Bridgnorth Town's Crown Meadow Stadium on Wednesday September 26 (7.45pm kick off) due to problems with the floodlights at the Dell.

Confidence is soaring at Dudley Sports after they claimed all three points at home to high-flying Bridgnorth on Saturday thanks to a 1-0 win.

The game was an even contest with both clubs giving everything.

Bridgnorth came into the game on the back of five straight victories but found a Sports team who had kept four clean sheets in a row.

Ross Harris was the match winner after he picked the ball up twenty five yards out and smashed it into the bottom corner of the net with only 15 minutes remaining.

Jubilant joint manager Neil Perks said: "This was an excellent team performance against a team who have aspirations to win the league."

Sports will now hope to build on this triumph when the host Bewdley Town at Hillcrest Avenue on Saturday (3pm kick off).

Causeway suffered a bad week at the office after being dumped out of the FA Cup 3-0 away at Belper.

United went into the game full of confidence after defeating westfields away in the previous round but they were sonn brought back down to earth according to chairman Steve Hulston.

He said: "We just didn't turn up.

"This was a big game for the club but to be honest it seemed like we hadn't got out of bad."

This defeat was followed by a 2-0 defeat away at Romulus on Tuesday in the league.

Causeway are not in action this Saturday.