TITLE hopefuls Tividale got their season off to a five-star start with victory at Smethwick Rangers.

Tivi put the host to the sword with a 5-0 success last Saturday.

A double from Demetri Brown and goals from Brad Welding, Dan Smith and Tyree Clarke handed them their first three points of the new West Midlands Premier League campaign.

Boss Dave King was delighted to pick up the win.

He said: "It was a good start for us and a really good all-round performance as well.

"The pitch was difficult to play on at times but we were always in control of the game and did very well on the day.

"We were a little edgy to start with but we settled down once we got the first goal."

Dale will now turn their attention to the FA Cup this Saturday with a trip to take on Sporting Khalsa in the extra preliminary round.

King added: "It's a special competition and a game we can now look forward to.

"We earned the right to be in it last season and can go their without any pressure on us.

"It will be a very difficult game for us but I think we'll find out more about how far we have come as a side in the last 12 months.

"We have a break from the league and can go there and play with no fear and see where that takes us." Dan Bryson and Freddie Watts are the only Tividale players missing the clash.