Tranter chuffed to forget derbies

Shifnal Town wave a temporary goodbye to Shropshire derbies tomorrow - and manager Mick Tranter couldn't be happier.

The Phoenix Park men have played host to Ludlow and Bridgnorth in the last week, chalking up a goalless draw and a 5-3 victory respectively in two games which could not have provided a greater contrast.

But Tranter is grateful for the break from the intensity of derby day tomorrow when his third-placed side play host to Herefordshire outfit Wellington.

"I'm not a big fan of local derbies because there is a lot of pressure and the lower placed teams nearly always raise their game," said Tranter.

"We needed to keep winning to stay in contention at the top but we would certainly have taken this position after the first six weeks of the season.

"I think we had dropped 10 points in a very short space of time and it's been a very good run since."

Tranter will face his usual problem of narrowing his embarrassment of riches down to a squad of 16, with only midfielder Riad Eraji absent through injury.

And he has moved to add yet further strength by putting in seven days notice for Simon Truman from Rushall Olympic, a former Tottenham youngster.

New Bridgnorth joint manager Steve Hinks is hoping his first West Midlands premier victory at the Crown Meadow helm will arrive in tomorrow's visit of Pelsall.

Hinks takes charge at home for the first time after securing one point from two testing away games at Wellington and Shifnal.

And the former Walsall Wood chief insists he has seen enough to realise his squad requires minor tinkering rather than a major overhaul.

"I like my teams to play at a high tempo so I think we need to get a bit fitter and we can also improve on our organisation," he said.

"But we are certainly not in the position where we have to throw everything in the bin and start again.

"We have some very good players here and we just need a bit more quality in one or two key areas.

"There is a chance we might be able to bring in one or two players on loan before tomorrow's game."

Ellesmere Rangers boss Geoff Graham will be hoping for a change in fortune after losing two away matches to last minute penalties this week when Dudley Sports are the visitors to Beech Grove.