Black County Rangers and Tividale are setting the early pace

Rangers are leading the way at this early stage following four victories from as many games – the latest being a 3-1 triumph at Haughmond on Saturday.

Tivi are hot on their heels after three wins from three – the most recent a 7-1 demolition of Bilston Town at the weekend.

Jake Healy, Luke Wilson and Liam Hughes got the goals for Rangers as they came out on top in Shropshire.

Boss Wayne Spicer said on their form so far: “It’s looking great, to be honest.

“Credit to the lads, they’ve focused on everything that we wanted them to focus on.

“We had to be firing on all cylinders to get something against Haughmond, and they were. It was a good win.

“To be honest, we expected to win the first three games but you’ve still got to go and do it – the lads weren’t complacent.

“It is a great start, scoring 15 goals in four games and conceding just the one. We’re happy.”

While keen not to get ahead of themselves, Rangers appear to have assembled a squad able to compete for the title.

And Spicer admits Tividale are one of a few teams he believes could be up there this term too.

“I think Tividale are a big threat. There were three teams I was looking out for – Tivi, Haughmond and Wolverhampton Casuals,” he said.

“We’ve got Tividale coming up on Bank Holiday Monday, at their place, so that should be a good game.

“At the moment, we’re just looking to take each game as it comes.”

Tividale may have blitzed Bilston, but it was actually Scott Hamilton’s charges who took the lead at Queen Street – through skipper Matt Barnett five minutes in.

It took Dave King’s men only a few moments to draw level though, with Darragh Bustin heading home.

Demetri Brown then put them ahead with a cool one-on-one finish.

Bustin got his second before half-time, with his free-kick taking a deflection on its way in.

Brown, with a similar smart strike, made it 4-1 just prior to the hour mark.

Substitute Rion Francis-Mills grabbed a brace, either side of Bustin completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot – after he was brought down by Tom James.

“To be fair, we had a very difficult game at Bilston last season. This time around it was pretty comprehensive though,” said King.

“We’ve had a good week, to be fair. We beat Wolves Casuals (2-0) on Wednesday with what was a workmanlike performance and then we were better on Saturday, with the young lad Darragh getting a hat-trick.”

On Brown, who was at the double along with Francis-Mills, King added: “He’s a very good player at this level. He’s feeling confident at the moment and he’s enjoying his football again, that’s the main thing. If Demetri is happy and got a smile on his face, then we’re all happy.”

Casuals sit third after gaffer Dean Gill got one over his former team, Wednesfield.

Scott Sandland, Kieron Miller and Jordan Uppal got the goals in a 3-2 win for the Brinsford Lane outfit.

Kev Nickle and Fabian Facey struck for the Cottagers, who have won one and lost two so far.

Third-bottom Dudley Town drew 2-2 with second-bottom Shifnal Town.

Dudley Sports were victorious, though. They ran out 4-2 winners at Cradley Town.

Smethwick drew 1-1 with Bewdley Town.