Sports braced for Casual test

Sports tackle high-flying Wolverhampton Casuals in the semi-final of the West Midlands League Premier Division League Cup.

Gore’s side have served up some of their best displays of the season in a competition they last won 11 years ago.

A 4-1 success away to Premier Division champions Tividale stands out while they also triumphed 3-2 at Malvern despite having their goalkeeper sent off after 10 minutes.

And Gore believes they will need to hit those heights again against a Casuals side that finished third in the standings.

“Casuals will start as favourites and we are going to have to reproduce the type of performances we put in against Tividale and Malvern,” said Gore, whose side have home advantage.

“We know how difficult it is going to be and we are going to have to be at our best because Casuals are a very good side. They played us off the park at their place earlier in the season.

“But it’s been a good end to the season for us and we have found a bit of form.

“We won at Tividale in the cup and then beat both Black Country and Wem 4-0 in the league.

“The lads trained well this week and we are really looking forward to this game,” added Gore, who guided Brierley Hill Town to success in the competition in 2005.

Gore’s opposite number Dean Gill has left no stone unturned in his preparation for the game.

Casuals have enjoyed a hugely successful campaign and Gill will have his players in top top condition again tomorrow, and with plenty of knowledge of their opponents.

“We have watched Dudley Sports and also Stourport Swifts because Dudley can call on a few players who are dual-registered.

“We couldn’t have done anymore to be ready for the game and the lads are buzzing.

“Our league season finished two weeks ago and we have had four good training sessions and a couple of friendlies.

“We have had a good season, finishing third and with 30 more points than last season, and we have qualified for the FA Cup. It would be nice to reach a final as well.”

Bewdley Town await the winners in the final.

Sporting Khalsa will face fellow Midland League side Highgate United in the final of the JW Hunt Cup at Molineux on Monday, May 13 (7.30pm).

Khalsa, who won the trophy three years ago, beat Tividale 2-1 in the semi-final at AFC Wulfrunians’ Castlecroft home.

Goals in either half, from Mensah Kinch and Mykel Beckley, put Khalsa in control before Dan Smith got Tividale on the scoresheet in the final minute.

All proceeds from the Hunt Cup go to the Beacon Centre for the Blind.