Tividale stay on course thanks to nervy win

Saturday’s victory ensured leaders Tivi stayed one point ahead of rivals Haughmond with just two games of the season remaining.

They could be crowned champions this weekend if they win at Black Country Rangers and Haughmond fail to win at Wellington.

Matt Hunt was the hero, netting the only goal of the game just before half-time.

But Tivi, free-scoring for much of the campaign, endured a nail-biting after failing to convert a host of chances.

King said: “We were under no real pressure but then 10 minutes from time their striker went through and it needed a good save from our keeper to prevent an equaliser.

“At full-time my emotions were a little of relief but more frustration we had failed to take our chances and make things easier for ourselves.

“We are playing well and I could not be happier in terms of performance. We’re just not putting the ball in the net.

“It will turn, I am sure of that. Demetri Brown and Dan Smith have been brilliant up front for me all season. There’s no pair I would rather have in the division.”

Though Tivi might have only netted the one goal, Hunt was a hugely popular match-winner after getting his name on the scoresheet for the first time since November.

The midfielder spent several months on the sidelines after undergoing major surgery and King said: “I am delighted for him, he has had to work so hard to get back. Now he is really fit and firing again.”

He continued: “At this stage of the season it is all about results. If it takes two 1-0 wins from here to win the title, then so be it.

“We are in a great position. If someone had offered us this at the start of the season, we would certainly have taken it.

“At this point the nerves are OK, though the dog is currently getting walked three times a day and has been put on alert for more!”

Tividale are next in action tomorrow night when they host Dudley Town in the League Cup.

It is the second time the tie has been played. Tividale won the first meeting 3-0 but were then expelled from the competition for fielding an ineligible player, before being reinstated, with the league ordering a replay. King is expected to field a much-changed team.

Wolves Casuals are closing in on a third place finish after becoming the first team to inflict an away day defeat on fourth-placed Malvern Town.

Ben Podmore’s first-half strike proved enough to seal a 1-0 win for Casuals, who finish their league campaign when they visit Pershore Town this weekend.

“We probably need to win on Saturday to make sure of third place,” said boss Dean Gill. “Even then we could still be caught by Wednesfield, though they have a pretty tough run-in.

“The performance against Malvern was very good and the polar opposite of the previous weekend against Dudley Town, which was comfortably our worst of the season.

“It’s been a good season but it looks as though we won’t finish too far off the top two. I’d be lying if there wasn’t an element of frustration at what might have been.”

Dudley Sports remain in relegation danger after falling to a 2-0 defeat at home to Wednesfield.

Tony Gore’s men now sit 17th in the table, four points clear of the bottom two.

Black Country Rangers remain seventh after losing 2-1 at home to AFC Bridgnorth, while Cradley Town were also beaten 1-0 away at Wellington.

Smethwick Rangers lost 3-1 at Shawbury, though Bilston fared worse, beaten 4-0 at resurgent Pershore Town.