THE next four games will be the acid test for Dudley Sports, manager Tony Gore reckons.

Gore has steered his young side to six wins from their opening nine West Midlands League games, leaving them level on points at the top of the table alongside three others.Dudley faced Malvern last night, followed by a run of fixtures that includes Black Country Rangers at home, Shawbury United away and a local derby with Gornal Athletic.

“People may say it’s a false position,” said Gore. “The next four games will show whether that is the case.

“We have no illusions of being top come May but at the moment we have a young side playing good football who are full of confidence. The place really is buzzing.”

Gore has pulled of a coup in getting veteran striker Mark Bellingham for the club’s midweek games and he has already netted three times in two games.

“It’s a great arrangement for us having Mark around.

“He brings a lot to the team on and off the pitch, and passes on so much experience to the lads. Little Dudley Sports jumped at the chance to have him around when the opportunity arose.

“We have five strikers here who are getting goals.”