Dudley derby to have big say in survival fight

Second-from-bottom Robins will welcome fifth-from-bottom Sports to the Dell this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Just six points separate the sides but Town do boast two games in hand unless their clash at AFC Bridgnorth on Tuesday night beats the weather.

It means a big derby win could have a huge say in this season's battle to avoid the drop from the West Midlands Premier League.

Sports manager Tony Gore is looking forward to the contest.

He said: "It's always a big game against Dudley Town but this could be the biggest there has been.

"I think it's a must-not-lose game for both sides.

"It's a game everyone here is really looking forward to. We go into it on the back of a great performance against Bewdley so will be looking to repeat that.

"The result is not going to decide who stays up or who goes down but it could have a big say.

"If we win, it would make it difficult for them to catch us."

Sports have no new injury concerns for the game but will be without striker Nehemia Zazi following his move to title-chasing Wolverhampton Sporting.

Gore has put a couple of seven-day approaches in to find a replacement but it's unlikely anything will be done before the weekend.

Robins boss Dean Whitehouse is hopeful his young side will embrace the challenge.

He said: "I don't think we are under any pressure.

"It's just another game and another situation for the young players to experience.

"It could play to our favour if they go into it without any fear but we'll just have to see how they do.

"A win would really give us a big chance of staying up but that's the same for both sides."

Whitehouse was also full of praise for the man that'll be standing in the away dugout this weekend.

He added: "I want to go out and get the win for Dudley Town but whatever happens I have a lot of admiration for Tony Gore.

"He's an unsung hero that sticks at it every year without any budget. Regardless of the outcome I'll shake his hand and have a beer with him afterwards."