LYE Town joint-boss Martin Thomas has played down Saturday’s top of the table clash against West Midlands League Premier rivals Black Country Rangers.

The unbeaten leaders currently have a six point advantage over Rangers, but Saturday’s hosts have three games in hand.

Lye go into the clash at Packwood Road on the back of thumping 5-2 and 4-2 wins over Bilston and Bewdley respectively.

“At the end of the day, a game in November is not going to decide who wins the league,” said Thomas.

“I think this is the most open title race in years and there’s five teams who still think they can win it. What’s important for us is to be still in the hunt after Christmas.”

Goals for Ricky Anslow (2), Andy Mitchell, Ben Wilkins and Damian Whitcombe saw off Bilston Town on Saturday.

They were given a touger match on Tuesday but managed to see off Bewdley Town thanks to efforts for Anslow, Ben Jevons and Mitchell.

Bewdley had battled back to make it 2-2 and missed a chance to increase the lead before Lye finally saw them off.

Thomas added: “We’ve got into a winning mentality and I thought we played well against Bewdley.

“It was close, we managed to edge ahead 2-1 at half-time.

“Bewdley levelled but once again we found a way to win the match.”

Jevons will miss Saturday’s clash with a one-match suspension after picking up five yellow cards, while Nicky Pugh is an injury doubt.

Robin Sheffield could step in for the influential Jevons.