CRADLEY Town clawed themselves back on level terms with West Midlands League leaders Shawbury United this week after crushing high flying Dudley Sports 5-1.

Luke Williams marked his return to Cradley by scoring against his previous club within seven minutes of the kick-off when his shot appeared to go in off former Cradley goalkeeper Matt Jones.

Lewis Clarke then converted a second following a Scott Stevenson free kick before Shep Machingauta pulled one back for Sports.

Stevenson then made it 3-1 before Danny Priest scored direct from a free kick.

There was still time for R'Mar Murray to add a fifth, proving first to react after Matt Jones completed a miserable return to Cradley when spilling Aaron Lloyd's free kick.

Assistant Cradley boss Andy Mole admitted: "I thought we had the game wrapped up by half time. Dudley Sports worked very hard and arrived at Cradley top of the form chart, but they didn't really create a great deal.

"We were massively disappointed by the defeat to Dudley Town the previous week. We didn't play badly in that game but we just didn't take our chances when they came.

"However, we took our chances against Dudley Sports, that was the difference."

Cradley face a tricky trip to Great Wyrley based Wolverhampton Sporting Community on Saturday, the hosts having hit a rich vein of form which has taken them up to fifth spot this week.

On Tuesday, Cradley entertain Nuneaton Griff, who are going great guns in Midland League Division One this season as both sides look to progress in the Midland Floodlit Cup.