Robins are alright on the night

Town officials were delighted by the response to Friday evening’s derby day showdown with Dudley Sports, writes Nick Elwell.

The West Midlands League Premier Division clash was moved forward from Saturday due to Town’s landlords, Sporting Khalsa, playing in the FA Vase.

And the switch proved a massive success on and off the pitch as Town won a hugely entertaining game, 7-3, in front of a bumper gate of 231.

“It was a great night for us and for the neturals who came along to watch,” said Robins boss Matty Lovatt. “It was a really entertaining game with some great goals.

“That was comfortably our biggest gate of the season and someone mentioned that there have only been three games in the Midland Premier League, which is the level above, that have attracted bigger gates this season.

“I think playing the game on Friday night definitely helped swell the attendance and it is something we will look at doing again this season.

“There was a real buzz about the place and the players enjoyed the atmosphere.”

Jason Hewitt was the star turn for Town with a hat-trick, with Justin Nisbett, Alex Perry, Todd Perry and Nathaniel Graham also netting.

Sports’ William Tibbetts matched Hewitt’s feat, including a goal-of-the-season contender from a free-kick – one of four goals that came direct from a set-piece.

“We played some good stuff at times, but I was a little dissapointed with a couple of the goals we conceded,” said Lovatt. “We need to concentrate a little bit better. But there was nothing we could do about the free-kick for the first one, that was an absolute stunner.”

And Town will be chasing a quickfire double over their rivals when they make the trip to Sports’ Hillcreast Avenue base for the return clash tonight.

“Hopefully a good few of the people who came on Friday will come along tonight,” added Lovatt.

“It would be great to play in front of another good crowd, but the main thing is that we pick up another three points.”