Express & Star

Midland League: Walsall Wood put on alert for a Wolverhampton Sporting test

Darren Byfield has warned Walsall Wood not to take struggling Wolverhampton Sporting lightly – after picking up a fair point at Sporting Khalsa.

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Byfield’s side, who are third in the Midland Premier, drew 1-1 at the Aspray Arena on Saturday, and are aiming to make it eight games unbeaten against the division’s bottom club tonight.

The former Walsall striker is in high spirits going into the Pride Park clash – but knows Steve Hinks’ team will feel they have nothing to lose.

“I’ve said to the boys, it’s little use to me, going to watch teams like Wolves Sporting beforehand because what they will do then compared to what they will do against teams like us is very different,” said Byfield.

“A win would be a big scalp for them so they are likely to give another 10, 20 or 30 per cent to try to get it – because we fall into that bracket of top teams.

“I know Hinksy and he’ll have them really up for it so we’ve got to be ready for that. It’ll be a tough game but we want to keep improving so hopefully we’ll do that.”

Eli Bako got a debut goal for Wood at the weekend before Jay Holdcroft replied for Ian Rowe’s Khalsa. When asked if a draw was a fair result, Byfield said: “I felt so.

“The first 15 or 20 minutes, they were on top – penned us in. We made a change in formation then, though, and I thought we were on top.

“They were direct and caused us problems with those long balls, eventually getting an equaliser, but we played well.

“Eli scored on his debut and I was delighted with the boys’ performance.”

Wolverhampton Sporting go into tonight’s encounter on the back of a 5-1 loss to Coventry Sphinx at home.

That made it five without a win in the league, but Hinks insists his squad are in a positive mood as there is still plenty of time for them to turn things around.

“We went 1-0 up against Coventry but then we just didn’t defend well,” said Hinks.

“It sounds bonkers, but I wasn’t massively disappointed with the performance.

“Our keeper, Reece Jeavons, went off with a concussion at half-time which forced us to put a centre-half, Ben Douglas, in goal for the second half.

“At 1-0, we were playing well against one of the best teams we have come up against. The bottom line is just that we have to defend better as if we defend like that against Walsall Wood, we’ll lose.

“But there’s no negativity around the place as the lads are giving their all in every single game.

“It’s a young squad and they’re trying their best. It’s not doom and gloom here.

“We’ll keep going, keep up the happy spirit.

“I think we could get something tonight. We’ll give it everything we’ve got.”

Lye Town are in Birmingham Senior Cup action tonight at Leamington, after losing 2-1 to Loughborough University in the league.

Also at the weekend, AFC Wulfrunians drew 1-1 with Boldmere St Michaels and Stourport Swifts beat Coventry United 2-1. Brocton, who lost 4-1 to Studley in Division One, go to Ilkeston in the Midland League Cup tonight.