Express & Star

Walsall Wood: Darren Byfield’s boys aim to turn up the heat

Darren Byfield has urged his Walsall Wood team to keep the pressure on leaders Ilkeston Town in order to set up a title-decider in the final week of the season.

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Wood are three points behind Ilkeston in the Midland League Premier Division with six games to go, but travel to their rivals on April 20 in a mouth-watering clash.

Byfield's team have three games before that match, starting with a tough home fixture against Coventry Sphinx tomorrow.

"It's another big game," said the former Villa and Walsall striker. "Hopefully we're going to say that throughout the rest of the season.

"We have to keep going, there's six games to go, we're definitely in it. I'm sure Ilkeston will know we're in it as well.

"I've always said we want it to go down to that last week. It's in their hands at the moment because of the goal difference.

"They will be favourites. The pressure's on Ilkeston, they know it, they've led it all season, they're a massive club at this level.

"But we clawed back some goal difference with a 7-0 win (away at second-bottom Dunkirk) last week."

However, seventh-placed Sphinx are likely to pose a bigger threat to Wood this weekend.

"Cov Sphinx are a strong side," admitted Byfield. "When we played them at their place, we won 2-1, but after half an hour I said 'if we leave this place with a point we've robbed them'.

"I watched them on Saturday, and I haven't changed my mind. If they'd won their games in hand they'd be well within the title race.

"Now they're probably relying on too many teams dropping points."

Midfielder Lee Butler has been injured recently, but he trained this week and could be available.

Jordan Fitzpatrick, who's been out since October with a nasty ankle injury, is expected back soon although this game will probably come too soon for him.

However, former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a broken foot.

Other than that, Byfield has a clean bill of health to choose from.

Despite Wood being seven points clear of third, he doesn't believe it's purely a two-horse race this season.

"I know Sporting Khalsa have had some bad results the last few weeks, but if us and Ilkeston lose this weekend and they win, they'll be seven points behind Ilkeston with a game in hand," he said.

"Nothing's done and dusted, they're capable of winning their games. Football's funny. I've been in it too long to say anything is certain."