CAPTAIN Max Clegg is desperate to get Cradley's National League title defence off to the perfect start when Coventry visit Perry Barr on Wednesday.

The Heathens had mixed feelings after their defeat at the hands of Birmingham in a thriller last Wednesday in the second leg of the Travel Plus Tours Challenge, but they had already done enough to win the trophy.

Now skipper Max Clegg wants to see his side secure all three points in another derby clash.

He said: "Birmingham are our toughest test and we just missed out in a last heat decider against them, but we were the better team over two legs.

"Hopefully we can bounce back and get a win under our belt against Coventry next Wednesday which would be the perfect way for us to start the league programme.

"Coventry haven't had as much racing as we have, it's been good to get a couple of competitive meetings under our belt against Birmingham so hopefully we can be sharper."

Clegg is also full of praise for the bumper crowd which packed Perry Barr with plenty of Heathens fans making the short trip from the Cradley, Dudley, Stourbridge and Quarry Bank areas.

He said: "It was great, coming from Yorkshire I don't know the area that well but I've got an idea that Cradley and the old stadium is about 12 miles from Birmingham so it's brilliant support.

"I hope they carry on for the season ahead because the management need convincing that it can work for everyone at Birmingham. I'm proud to be an asset of this great club and I want to be a part of the future here.

"Obviously I want to be a part of taking the club to a track closer to the Cradley area, but Birmingham is where we are at right now so let's enjoy it and have a great season."