28-10-2005   Watkiss to return to Willenhall   With both sides at a loose end in midweek, Tuesday 1st November has been confirmed as the date that Southern League Division One West club Willenhall Town will play host to Nationwide Conference National outfit Kidderminster Harriers at Noose Lane. Willenhall have been suffering something of an injury crisis of late, having lost players left, right and centre. With several of the Southern League side’s players gradually returning to action, Reds’ boss Rob Smith sees the chance to give them a 90-minute outing as a welcome boost. Kidderminster are managed by former Willenhall favourite Stuart Watkiss, who plied his trade at the Black Country outfit prior to making the switch to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Watkiss has agreed to bring a full strength side for the fixture, which is scheduled to kick off at 7.45pm.  *TICKET PRICES TBA – CHECK WEBSITE AND FORUM FROM SUNDAY FOR DETAILS* Another nice link for the two clubs is former Kidderminster trainee Inderpaul Khela. The 22-year-old combative central defender, equally at home in the midfield holding role, has made a dramatic U-turn to pledge his future to the high-flying Reds. Recently, league rivals Bedworth United made an approach for Khela, believing he would prefer to move to a club closer to his Coventry base, but the Greenbacks were rebuffed. It came as something of a surprise then when Midland Combination big spenders Barnt Green Spartak managed to lure Khela away earlier this week, though there were rumours of a generous financial package on offer for the player who only arrived at Noose Lane in August. Khela initially agreed a deal, but since made an about turn to pledge his immediate future to the Reds. It has come of something of a relief to the Willenhall faithful to keep hold of a player who won the fans’ player of the month Award for September, and they’ve wasted no time in expressing their delight on the club’s website.

27-10-2005   Southern League West Round-up By Martyn Simpson   Dean Perrow of Willenhall Town is now the league’s top scorer, as a hat-trick against Paulton Rovers took his personal tally to six goals in the space of a week. Chad Sheppard opened the scoring for Rob Smith’s side, with a sublime strike before Perrow stole the show when blasting home his first. Mike Kilgour was then dismissed for the visitors for a late lunge on Chris Curran. Perrow added his second and the Reds’ third on the stroke of half time, and completed his treble after the interval. Paulton pulled one back late on through a Dan Cleverley header. The game ended ten-a-side when Lee Vaughan was given his marching orders after a tangle.   There was something of a goal frenzy in the Southern League West on Tuesday night, but it’s Clevedon Town who still lead the way, following comprehensive victories for the top four sides, who all scored four times. Off-form Solihull Borough were thrashed by The Seasiders. Jack Pitcher opened the scoring and a late three-goal blitz saw Tom Jacobs net twice with sub Richard French grabbing the other.   Hot on their heels are Ashford Town (Middx) following a fine 4-1 away win at Leighton Town. Gavin Smith’s early strike set the Tangerines on their way, and the lead was doubled by free scoring full back Ryan Lake, with his seventh of the season. A penalty for the hosts reduced the arrears before Smith struck again followed by Paul Johnson.   Swindon Supermarine cemented third spot with a three-goal burst in the first half. Ian Howell, Steve Davies and Jeremy Newton did the damage, before Sutton Coldfield Town made a fight of it, pulling two back thanks to Damien Markman and Liam Hebberd. However, Marine had the last laugh as Dave Pratt scored at the death.   It ended honours even in at the Oval in a tightly contested game. Mark Danks gave visitors Bromsgrove Rovers a first half lead but a display of resilience from Bedworth United saw Guy Barnett level matters and grab a share of the spoils. That allowed Brackley Town to leapfrog the Greenbacks as they hammered lowly Beaconsfield SYCOB 5-0. Paul Spacey and the re-signed Robbie Beard edged the hosts in front. Predictably Matt Murphy got in on the act with his ninth of the campaign and a Jack King brace added gloss to the final outcome.   Highly rated Jon Dyer gave Bracknell Town the lead at Marlow but Johnny Isaac levelled things up and then snatched a last-gasp winner to leave the Robins shell-shocked. Cinderford Town won 3-2 against Rushall Olympic, and Thame United went down 4-2 at Dunstable Town.

24-10-2005   Midweek Preview By Martyn Simpson   A massive game for Willenhall Town sees Rob Smith’s boys seek to get back to winning ways at home to Paulton Rovers. Paulton lie in 7th place, just two points behind the Reds but have two games in hand. Saturday’s opponents Bracknell Town have a tough trip to Marlow, and another side with a daunting away sojourn are local rivals Rushall Olympic, who visit the Forest of Dean to tackle Cinderford Town.   Game of the day looks like taking place at the Oval, where Bromsgrove Rovers bid to put FA Cup disappointment behind them and get back to winning ways at Bedworth United, who are now a top six side following Saturday’s victory. The side they beat, Solihull Borough, are really struggling for form at the moment and will do well to avoid defeat at pacesetters Clevedon Town.   Other top sides in action are Ashford Town, who go to Leighton Town, and Swindon Supermarine – the surprise package thus far – who lock horns with Sutton Coldfield Town, with both sides bidding to pick up the coveted ‘Team of the Month’ award.   Brackley Town need to avoid losing any further ground on the top sides, and will fancy their chances at home against Beaconsfield SYCOB.  A ‘top of the bottom’ clash sees Thame United go to Creasey Park to face Dunstable Town, and Wednesday’s game sends Stourport Swifts down to Somerset as they meet Taunton Town.

24-10-2005   Weekend round-up By Martyn Simpson   A disappointing result for Willenhall Town saw Rob Smith’s boys go down by the odd goal in five at Hemel Hempstead Town, and the match report can be found in the FIXTURES section of the site.   We have new league leaders. New Clevedon Town manager Phil Bater saw his side take up pole position following a 2-0 win in Berkshire at Larges Lane against Bracknell Town. They took top spot away from Ashford Town who were held at home courtesy of a last minute equaliser for Dunstable Town. Leapfrogging the Reds are surprise package Swindon Supermarine, who ran out 3-1 winners against rapidly improving Beaconsfield SYCOB.   Neighbours Rushall Olympic followed up last weeks stunning FA Trophy victory at Merthyr Tydfil with a creditable goalless draw at home to fancied Brackley Town. In form Leighton Town conceded late on at Stourport Swifts to ensure that the spoils were shared, and Tuesday evening’s opponents Paulton Rovers were surprisingly beaten at home by Marlow.   Bedworth United continued their impressive recent run by notching up a 1-0 win at Solihull Borough, and Sutton Coldfield Town continued their recent improvements with a fine 2-0 home victory against a Taunton Town side still reeling from the loss of manager Peter Beadle following his defection to Newport County.   Two Southern League Western sides were in FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round action. Bromsgrove Rovers lost 2-0 at home to Conference high flyers Morecambe, meaning that Willenhall’s visit there on 5th November will definitely take place, but Canvey Island – another Conference side – were held at home by plucky Burnham, with a replay at the Gore scheduled on Tuesday. Also, a special mention for Midland Alliance neighbours Chasetown, who picked up a fine 2-2 draw at Blyth Spartans, earning a potential home clash with former Premiership side Oldham Athletic. Ex-Red Lee Bullimore was reported as being particularly sensational for the Scholars, and all at Noose Lane will be wishing them well in the replay on Tuesday.

14-10-2005 FA Trophy 1st Qualifying Round Preview By Martyn Simpson   With 75 clubs destined to claim £1,300 in prize money there are many ties of interest in the revamped competition. None more so than the mouth-watering local derby at The Grove where Willenhall Town visit to lock horns with Southern Premier neighbours Halesowen Town. Paul Holleran’s side have had a testing time of late, going out of the FA Cup last weekend against Bromsgrove. However, a 7-2 midweek win has helped ease the pressure and they’ll be clear favourites to make light work of Rob Smith’s injury hit squad.   The winners will face the victors of the ‘tenants v landlords’ clash in Buckinghamshire where Aylesbury United ‘travel’ to their own ground, used also by financially troubled Southern League Division One West basement club Thame United.   Rushall Olympic have a daunting trip to South Wales to take on Merthyr Tydfil, and Bromsgrove Rovers will fancy their chances at home to Beaconsfield SYCOB. There are one or two potential upsets on the cards, as Yate Town have a tricky trip to Burnham, and Sutton Coldfield Town may surprise Chesham United.   Brackley Town have been drawn against Banbury United yet again, and will be looking to avenge FA Cup heartbreak received a few weeks ago by the Oxfordshire outfit. AFC Wimbledon and Kings Lynn are two of the biggest sides in the competition, and they meet in South-West London and AFC Telford United travel to Witton Albion.

13-10-2005 FA Trophy preview   Willenhall Town should really be looking forward to a challenging local derby on Saturday, but the Reds have been up against it all season and now things really look like coming to a head.   Richie Colwell, Craig Slater, Vaughan Thomas and Phil Rowe definitely miss out, and are likely to be joined by Sean Platt and Gary Hay – the striker who left Noose Lane in the summer for Halesowen, only to return to Willenhall earlier this season. Just a few weeks ago it seemed as though the script was written for Hay to return to his former club to haunt them, but it seems as though it will be a John Quilt / Dean Perrow front line – and both of those players are not 100% fit either!   There is still some uncertainty over whether or not Lee Vaughan will be able to make a return to first team action, and man of the moment Inderpaul Khela also looks set to miss out as he muses over two offers from rival Southern League Division One West clubs.   Keeper Danny Tipton has also been visibly struggling to get through games, but is thankfully not rated as a concern for Saturday. It’s time for the club to unite through this difficult period and pull together as the coming weeks will be very challenging if the team are to keep in touch at the top of the table.   Should the game be drawn, the replay will take place at Noose Lane on Tuesday 18th October, with a 7:45pm kick off. And if anyone is unable to make the clash at The Grove, supporters are reminded that there will be coverage of the game on 107.7 The Wolf.

10-10-2005   Southern League Latest By Martyn Simpson   Two of Willenhall’s high-flying South-West based rivals have been the victim of some upheaval this week, with their respective managers moving onto bigger things. The ripple effect of Bristol City changing managers has hit home twenty miles south. With Gary Johnson leaving Yeovil to take up the helm at Ashton Gate, the Glovers moved to appoint Steve Thompson as his replacement. Thompson wasted no time in approaching high-flying Clevedon Town in order to lure away boss Kevin Hodges to fill the Assistant Manager’s post. Former Bristol Rovers man Billy Clark, who joined Clevedon in the summer has been appointed player-manager.   Venturing a little further south still, and Taunton Town had better watch out now Peter Beadle’s not about, having opted to accept the Newport County post. The Exiles, currently languishing at the wrong end of the Conference South, parted company with manager John Cornforth recently. Beadle may feel that he’s been framed, due to a mass exodus of players in South Wales in recent weeks. Willenhall have benefited though, with both Chris Curran and Dominic Reece having linked up at Noose Lane – Curran for the second time in his distinguished career. Beadle only joined Taunton in May, and quit after Saturday’s draw at lowly Bracknell Town. Veteran player Jason Heath will be handling first team affairs in the interim.