Wolves Sporting aren’t getting carried away just yet
Wolverhampton Sporting boss Andy Paddock still feels the West Midlands Premier title race will go down to the wire.
Having hit top spot last weekend, Sporting strengthened their position with a 4-1 victory against Bilston Town on Tuesday.
They are three points ahead of second-placed Malvern Town, with three games in hand, before tomorrow’s trip to Dudley Town.
Paddock knows all too well, though, it is far from over – having led the way for large spells of last term only for Haughmond to win the league and even be pipped to second by Wolverhampton Casuals.
“We have been there, at the top, before,” he said.
“We were there at the beginning of last season but then fell away because Haughmond went on a great run.
“Then we fell away after the beginning of this season with all the cup games we’ve played.
“I set the lads a target five games ago to win all five games to go top, and they’ve done that.
“Now we’re setting the bar even higher for them.
“It’ll be close. I think it will be down to a couple of points, or the last two games or so.
“I’m just glad we have got the goal difference, nobody is going to match that. We don’t have to chase goals.”
Sporting’s goal difference is very impressive. They have scored a whopping 100 goals in 25 games, conceding 21.
On tomorrow’s clash, Paddock said: “Dudley are down near the bottom, fighting for their lives, and want the points just as much as us. Anybody can take points off you.
“We’ll have to be patient, as we have been these last few weeks.
“The lads are enjoying it and they don’t seem under pressure.
“I hope that experience of last season is driving them on.”
Paddock also took time to heap praise on Steve Hinks, who recently joined the Sporting coaching set-up.
He used to be Richard Sneekes’ assistant at Evo-Stik Premier side Rushall Olympic.
“I’ve had Steve with me since February and he’s been a great help,” added Paddock. “It just adds that bit extra, his knowledge.
“Hopefully it’ll help us get over the line. I can’t praise him enough.”
Aiming to maintain their slim title hopes are Tividale, who host Dudley Sports.
Third-placed Black Country Rangers are expected to get a victory at rock-bottom Wellington Amateurs, while Bilston take on Wednesfield.
