HALESOWEN face the daunting prospect of a trip to league leaders Bridgnorth this Saturday – and skipper Faisal Shahid says his side will need a drastic improvement in form.

He also admits the washout against Wombourne last weekend was a blow as the team were confident of beating the South Staffordshire outfit.

And any hopes of a late promotion push could depend on their display this weekend against the unbeaten side.

Shahid said: “The rain put paid to almost every fixture in the region last Saturday and of those that did manage play in our division, both ended in draws.

“So the league positions are pretty much as they were before the weekend. But we were disappointed to fall victim as we’d targeted the Wombourne match for a positive result, especially on our home track where our form has been good.

“Now we face the league leaders Bridgnorth away from home, who are currently unbeaten, and we must improve our own form on the road.

“We couldn’t face a harder task but, that said, I have faith in this team and know what we are capable of.

“We have identified the areas in which we have come up short in recently and I’m sure we will be a match for Bridgnorth.

“We recognised them at the start of the season as promotion candidates and they have lived up to that. It’s up to us now to prove we were worthy of the same title.”

Second XI captain Adam Hawker saw his side's match at Stratford also fall victim to the weather and rued the missed opportunity to improve their position at the top end of the table.

He said: “The rain put paid to our match early and we didn’t even have to make the effort to travel to Stratford.

“It’s a pity as I was confident we could have got a result there, but two months into the season this is the first time we’ve fallen victim to the weather. I don’t think anyone would have predicted that.”

Hawker paid tribute to his team, who currently sit third in their division just a couple of points off top.

He said: “Despite not having had the luxury of a settled team because of player availability and injuries, I have nothing but praise for all the players in my team.

“I look at each one of them and know I can rely on them to do a job. I’m particularly pleased with the way the young lads have risen to the challenge.

“We entertain Astwood Bank here on Saturday and I will be looking to keep up the pressure on the leaders.”