Tivi boss delighted with fourth (From Halesowen News)

Tivi boss delighted with fourth

5:00pm Thursday 3rd May 2012 in Football

TIVIDALE boss Dean Whitehouse was more than satisfied with his team’s fourth place finish in their first Midland Alliance campaign.

A season, which saw a number of star players leave for higher levels and two more unavailable or injured, ended on a high note with a 4-1 win over Dunkirk with Chris Russell, Matt Jukes and Kyle Hill on the scoresheet.

It followed a surprise 5-1 defeat at home to Tipton last Tuesday Whitehouse admitted at the start of the term he would have been fairly happy with a mid-table finish.

He also said they were in a nice position where players were coming to him asking to play for Tivi next season.

Tividale were expected to find the step up to the Alliance tough after winning the West Midlands Premier last season, but eventually excelled, and also reached the last 16 of the FA Vase, as well as still being in the semi-final of the JW Hunt Cup.

Whitehouse said: “We have done exceptionally well, because at times we haven’t had a setttled side. Chris (Russell), Mattie (Jukes) and Lee (Chilton) having all left at various stages, while Brett Clarke and Adam Simkiss have been out as well.

“I know it happens at other clubs and I don’t blame players for trying their luck at a higher level.

“The lads who were left did well to step into their shoes and we have had a good squad which has served us well.

“I’m hoping to retain most of them and recruit some more. There are players who have contacted me and want to play for us which is a nice situation to have.”

Whitehouse admitted the league could get tougher next season with new teams coming in and Gornal likely to be promoted after winning the West Midlands League.

He said: “It was nice to finish top of the pile of the West Midlands teams in our first season.

“At times we probably played too much football and we got plenty of complements for it but we might need to address that next season.”

Tividale’s delayed JW Hunt Cup semi-final against AFC Wulfrunians at Goodrich FC will be played Wednesday, May 9.

Dudley Sports finish their season off at home to Bewdley Town tomorrow night after a 3-1 win at Shawbury United.

Dudley Town have already finished their season and are guaranteed to finish in eighth place.