Brierley Hill FC manager Tony Gore is hoping this season's tie-up with Withymoor Colts will start to bear fruit in 2008.

The nomadic borough side - who are based at Halesowen Town's Grove this season - changed their name from Brierley and Hagley to Brierley Hill & Withymoor in the close season after joining forces with the junior football club.

They ended 2007 on a high with a 2-0 home win over local rivals Dudley Town in the West Midlands Premier Division "The association is working well," said Gore, "Nothing has really changed at first-team level yet but we are hoping to introduce some of the youth-teamers in the new year.

"We should be a top ten side but we are too inconsistent - we are among the league's highest scorers but also concede one of the highest figures. Teams that play us don't have to work hard enough for their goals."

"It's been a mixed season for us because we have been as good - and as bad - as anyone else in this league."

This Saturday they will kick off their New Year fixtures with another derby when they welcome high-flying Dudley Sports.

Meanwhile, in the Midland Alliance Causeway United ended 2007 with a win and followed that with a triumph on New Years Day.

Following an impressive 3-0 win away at Oadby last Saturday Carl Birley's men defeated Oldbury United 1-0 at the War Memorial Ground courtesy of a Stuart Hensman strike.

The back-to-back wins have seen Causeway shoot up to fifth in the table.

This Saturday (3pm kick off) they will travel to Friar Lane.

At the other end of the table Cradley Town kicked off 2008 with a 2-1 defeat away at Alevechurch.

Cradley sit bottom of the league with only five points to their name.

This Saturday, they will again be on their travels when they pay a visit to Coventry Sphinx.