Russell to start for Hammers (From Dudley News)

Russell to start for Hammers

1:00pm Thursday 27th September 2012 in Football

HOTSHOT Chris Russell is set to start for Cradley Town at Malvern Town on Saturday.

The diminutive striker, more popularly known as Billy, showed his pedigree on Tuesday night when he scored within four minutes of coming off the bench in the Hammers 2-2 draw with Dudley Town.

His performance convinced boss Adrian Mander he is back to full match fitness and ready to take his place in the starting XI.

Mander said: “Billy has been holiday and only got back last Thursday so the issue was always match fitness.

“He played the last 30 minutes at Shawbury on Saturday and then had a huge impact on Tuesday, he will definitely be starting on Saturday.

“He is a great signing for us, you can see how sharp he is in front of goal.”

Mander admitted to frustration after Dreniz Bala’s equaliser 12 minutes from time gave the Robins a share of the points.

He was particularly aggrieved with the officials, feeling his side were denied a clear penalty when Jason Barton was brought down in the box with Cradley winning 2-1.

He said: “The referee and linesman killed us, it was a stonewall penalty.

“When I spoke to the referee after the game he said he thought it was a penalty but was waiting for the linesman to give it.

“If we had scored then and gone 3-1 up I don’t think there would have been a way back for them.”

Causeway United suffered a 4-2 defeat a the hands of Rocester in the Midland Alliance. Richard Colwell’s side face a derby clash this weekend when they head to Tividale.