Wyton braced for Black Country battle

Town go into the clash on the back of a 2-1 win at Smethwick which put Wyton’s side third in the West Midlands Regional League Premier Division with six wins from 10 games, writes Lewis Cox.

But The Beeches side have played as many as three games more than their rivals.

Hosts Rangers, managed by Lewis Jones, are one point and place further back in fourth.

“It’ll be a tough game at Black Country Rangers,” said Wyton, who took sole charge midway through last season. “They’re spending money and have the lad up front, Shaq McDonald, who left Derby.

“There is Matt Vaughan at centre-back, he was my skipper at Gornal. He’s a good lad for the level and he will keep them together and grounded.

“We should be getting into the top six. We haven’t got the money that others have got but we have good young lads.”

Wyton is waiting on an ankle update from winger Garfield Robinson, while defensive midfield man Lee Pardoe is away.

But the boss has high hopes for his current midfield pairing. “We’ve got Cameron Milne, he doesn’t give the ball away and is coming on leaps and bounds,” Wyton added. “Scott Stevenson is playing really well in the middle of midfield.”

Goals either side of half-time from Josh McKenzie and Dren Bala were enough to secure victory at Smethwick, who had Colin Smith net a 90th-minute reply.

Wolverhampton Sporting Community extended their 100 per cent record at the summit with a 4-0 victory over AFC Bridgnorth. Dimitri Dunkley, Rion Francis-Mills, Ethan Delaney and Jonathan Letford were on target.

Black Country Rangers are fresh from ending Malvern’s perfect record after securing a 2-2 draw in Worcestershire.

Dudley Town fell to a 4-1 reverse at Hereford Lads Club, leaving them 17th. Bilston Town Community, in 12th, drew 2-2 at Pegasus Juniors – as the rock-bottom hosts claimed their first points of the season.

Tividale climbed to seventh with their fifth win in six as Chris Bladen and Tyree Clarke were on target at Stone Old Alleynians.

A 4-2 win over Bewdley Town left Wolverhampton Casuals 10th, Ray Facey’s 30-yard chip a highlight for Casuals.

Wednesfield hammered struggling Wellington Amateurs 7-2 on the road, Scott Sandland smashed in four for the visitors.

Dudley Sports fell to a 4-2 defeat at 11th-placed Wellington.

In Division One Team Dudley extended their lead at the top with a 4-0 win at Wrens Nest. Tipton Town fell to a tight 1-0 home reverse against Old Wulfrunians.

Darlaston Town (1874) remain unbeaten following a 4-0 triumph over Wyrley.

There were defeats for Willenhall Town and Gornal Athletic against St Martins and at Worcester Raiders, respectively.