CRADLEY Town continue to climb up the West Midlands League table following a cracking 6-1 win over fourth placed Ellesmere Rangers.

Lewis Clarke, Geoff Hill and Croatian striker Dreniz Bala all bagged a brace of of goals in what proved one Cradley's best displays of the season.

The result followed hard on the heels of an excellent goalless draw at title chasers Malvern Town.

Manager Andy Wyton was left biting his fingernails as he only had nine players just prior to the kick-off at Malvern However, two late arrivals eased the situation and Wyton said: "I was struggling to get a side out through a combination of injuries, unavailabilities and work commitments.

"The lads who arrived late didn't even have time to warm up, so in the circumstances, it was an excellent result with the bare 11 players.

"But against Ellesmere, we absolutely smashed them, it could have been 10 or 12 goals.

"The only downside was the fact we conceded a goal with the last kick of the game because we'd switched off and I had a go at the players for that.

"But take nothing away from them, it was a great performance. It was also my 10th game in charge since taking over at Cradley. We've only lost once and that was to Haughmond, who are top, so we are clearly going in the right direction."

Cradley entertain Hereford side Pegasus Juniors this Saturday at Beeches View Avenue and Wyton insists there must be no let up.