Robins boss hopes underdogs can roar

The Robins head to the Garden Walk Stadium sitting 12th in the table but on something of a slide having suffered back-to-back defeats, including Wednesday’s 5-1 reverse at home to Malvern.

Rangers, meanwhile, sit four points clear at the top having taken 22 out of a possible 24 points so far.

They were also 4-0 winners when the two sides met in the FA Vase a fortnight ago and boss Whitehouse said: “They are a terrific side. The players they have on the bench are probably being paid more than our whole playing budget.

“That’s not a criticism. I’m not complaining. I’ve been in a position before when I was the manager with the money and fair play to them. But it doesn’t make things any easier for us.

“This division has become like the Premier League, there are leagues within the league. Black Country are in the top one and we are not.”

Whitehouse admitted his young team must start growing up quickly in the wake of Wednesday night’s defeat.

The Robins held their own for an hour against Malvern before eventually collapsing to defeat.

“There is a naivety about us at the moment,” said Whitehouse. “That was fine last season when we were giving these lads a chance but at some point you have to start learning your lessons.

“I’ve told them the honeymoon period is over. Teams have started to work us out.”

The boss hopes the recruitment of striker Chris Rabone, who he first worked with at Tividale, can add an experienced voice to the dressing room.

“He’s been through it, he knows what it is like to come into this league as a young player and have to work your way up,” said Whitehouse.

“I’ve tried to bring in a few more players with a bit of know-how but it isn’t easy.

“The players simply aren’t there anymore and the ones that are want paying.”

West Midlands League

Premier Division: AFC Bridgnorth v Pegasus; Bewdley Town v W’ton Casuals; Bilston Town Comm v Hereford LC; BC Rangers v Dudley Town; Cradley Town v Haughmond; Dudley Sports v Malvern; Tividale v Shawbury Utd; Wednesfield v Pershore; Wellington v Smethwick; Wem Town v Shifnal Town.

Division One: Allscott v Worcester R; Bromyard Town v Wellington Ams; Bustleholme v Telford Jun; Darlaston Town v Willenhall Town; Droitwich v Team Dudley; Sikh Hunters v Newport; Tipton Town v Wrens Nest; Wyrley v Old Wulfs.

Division Two: Church Stretton v Ludlow; FC Darlaston v Rock Rovers; Gornal Colts v Tipton Town; Oldbury United v AFC Bentley; Warstones Wanderers v W’ton United.

Midland League

Premier Division: Dunkirk v Stourport Swifts; Ilkeston v Boldmere; Long Eaton v AFC Wulfrunians; Loughborough Uni v Westfields; Quorn v Highgate; Shepshed Dyn v W’ton Sporting; Sporting Khalsa v South Normanton; Walsall Wood v Coventry Utd; Worcester City v Lye Town.