‘IT WAS AN OUTSTANDING DISPLAY... WE CONTROLLED THINGS THROUGHOUT’

HANLEY Town will be looking to cement their place at the top of the Midland League Premier Division this weekend.

The midweek 3-0 victory at Stourport Swifts moved them four points clear at the summit as they recorded their ninth win in an 11game unbeaten start to the league campaign.

And it’s a home date against thirdplaced Lye Town tomorrow - and player-manager Carl Dickinson, pictured, will be looking for a repeat of Tuesday’s success.

Dickinson told the club’s social media: “It was an outstanding performance. We controlled the game from start to finish.

“We were unlucky to only come in 1-0 up at half-time, it should have been two or three.

“We kept the ball really well and we stretched Stourport all across the pitch.

“After they went down to 10 men we were very professional, and we had to be.

“There were lots of tackles that people were getting away with, but it was a complete performance.”

Dickinson handed a debut to new signing Jake Avery, who has joined the club from Uttoxeter Town.

Avery had impressed in Uttoxeter’s 1-0 loss to Hanley last week - and Dickinson moved quickly to secure his services.

The Stourport win was also a third successive clean sheet for goalkeeper Kieran Harrison since his move from Northern Premier League West Division Kidsgrove Athletic.

Elsewhere in the Premier Division, STONE OLD ALLEYNIANS have home advantage against Lichfield City.

Lichfield City are enjoying a fine season and currently lie in second place in the table behind Hanley.

UTTOXETER TOWN are on their travels when they head to play Whitchurch Alport this weekend.

IN the North West Counties League, STAFFORD TOWN ware heading to the Alport for their weekend assignment.

Stafford are heading to FC Isle of Man - just the second side to head to the island this season.

Isle of Man have been forced to play the majority of their games away from home so because of Covid restrictions, but did make their home debut last Saturday when they beat Brocton 2-1.

And the fact they have been on their travels for the majority of the season so far hasn’t hampered their bid for success.

They have banked eight away wins so far to lie in fifth place in the table.

One of those away victories came on Tuesday night when they won 10-2 at St Martins.

Stafford will travel in optimistic mood, though, sitting in eighth place in the table.

ROCESTER are on the road tomorrow when they hit to Abbey Hey, while there is a big clash in prospect between ALSAGER TOWN and ABBEY HULTON UNITED.

Brocton have home advantage against Maine Road, SANDBACH UNITED host Barnton and ECCLESHALL are on the road to West Didsbury & Chorlton.

In the Premier Division, CONGLETON TOWN will be looking to rediscover their best form when they entertain Lower Breck.