CRADLEY Town were knocked out of the FA Cup at the extra preliminary round stage after a replay with Coleshill Town.

The Hammers, who were contesting with a host of absences, drew the first game 2-2 away last Saturday after strikes from Joseph Drake-Cervantes and Liam Hickman.

However, Coleshill came out on top in the replay with a 4-1 success at the Beeches on Tuesday night.

Attention now turns to the club’s West Midlands Premier League opener at Shifnal Town this Saturday.

They will then travel to Wellington next Tuesday.

Many people are backing Cradley to be one of the major players in this season following the arrival of Andy Wyton, who is now the joint manager with Mark Jones.

Former Dudley Town manager Wyton spent much of last season in charge of rivals Gornal Athletic.

His switch to Cradley has seen several Gornal players follow him to Beeches View Avenue.

Goalkeeper Richard Kennedy, strikers Geoff Hill and Liam Hickman, central defender Ross Love, midfield man Danny Crudgington and full back Dan Roden have all arrived to boost the ranks.