NIGEL Birch has taken charge at Cradley Town having previously been joint manager with Marcus McDonald.

Birch will now take on the role of first team manager with Ian Broad as his assistant and Adrian Knight as first team coach, while McDonald takes a back seat owing to increased work commitments.

Birch said: “The door is still open for Marcus but he doesn’t have the amount of time the role requires at the moment, however he will continue to support me.”

Cradley clinched a 4-2 win at Bromyard Town this week to maintain sixth place in the West Midlands League Premier Division.

Goals from Chris Bladen, Matt Vaughan and James Welnitchuk appeared to put Cradley in command before Bromyard staged a recovery and it took a Scott Devlin shot that went in off the post to make sure of the points.

Cradley travel to Shifnal Town this Saturday, which signals their half-way stage of the season.

They will be missing their former Cheltenham Town and Hereford United defender Mike Townsend who is having a month’s trial with Scottish Championship side Cowdenbeath.

Birch said: “Mike had to drop out of full time football because of a back problem. He was out of the game for nine months but has since played four or five games with us and suffered no problems.”

Meanwhile, Causeway United continued their good run of form with a 1-0 win at Coleshill Town to remain fifth in the Midland Alliance.

Jack Pearlman plundered the only goal which had manager Andy Mole purring afterwards.

He said.“Jack took it superbly. Johvan Blake-Walker put in the cross and Jack placed his side-footed shot beyond the keeper. It was a really well taken goal.

“In truth, we should have won by more. Arran Lloyd put a couple of good chances wide near the end while Will Tibbetts had another chance expertly saved by Coleshill’s goalkeeper.”

Causeway turn their attentions to the FA Vase this Sunday when they host local rivals Dudley Town at The Grove, which is an earlier 1pm kick-off.

Mole will be missing Will Tibbetts who is cup-tied, while his former Kidderminster Harriers defender Michael Briscoe has Stourport Swifts.

But Mole can welcome back experienced Alex Cowley and Carl Gardiner, who is back from suspension.

n Halesowen Town have brought back former defender Asa Charlton who should feature in Saturday’s home game against Bedworth United.

Halesowen had no luck this week losing 2-1 at Newcastle Town in a Northern Division One South game before going out of the Doodson Cup on Tuesday following a penalty shot-out at Kidsgrove Athletic.