DAVE King says Saturday's win over rivals Cradley Town highlighted how much his Tividale squad has matured since last season.

Dale opened their league season with a 1-0 win at the Beeches thanks to Joe Lawley's penalty 20 minutes from time.

It was the club's first game back in the West Midlands Premier League following their relegation last term.

King thinks the closely contested clash with Cradley was a game his side would have lost last season.

He said: "It was a very close game against two evenly matched sides. I thought we may have had another gear we could have gone to but we just didn't manage to reach the heights of our previous game.

"There was definitely a foul for the penalty but there was a debate about if it was inside or outside the box. The ref made his call but it could have gone either way.

"Overall, I think that we would have lost that game last season but instead we came out on top.

"I think that is down to a mix of bringing in the experience we needed in the summer and the young players we had from last season maturing.

"Our game management was very good, which is another sign that we have developed as a team."

Tivi are due to continue their league campaign with the visit of Pegasus Juniors on Tuesday night.

Their attention will then quickly turn to this Saturday's FA Cup game at Walsall Wood.

"It's a big game for us but it's going to be a difficult task," added King. "They are a strong side and have spent well in the summer.

"A cup run would be fantastic for the club but we'll just go there, enjoy it and aim to give a good account of ourselves."

Dan Bryson and Dan Well will miss Saturday's cup game but goalkeeper Ryan Cheshire should be available.