DUDLEY Town and Dudley Sports will go head-to-head in their first derby clash of the season this Saturday.

The two rivals are looking for a big three points after a mixed start to the new campaign.

Town sit in 13th place in the West Midlands Premier League after winning two, drawing three and losing three of their opening eight games.

They added to that tally with a fine battling draw at early pacesetters Black Country Rangers last Saturday.

Goals from Chris Rabone and Ryan Bridgwater saw them secure a 2-2 stalemate at Garden Walk.

Sports, meanwhile, site two points behind in 16th following another heavy defeat last weekend.

They lost 5-0 at home to Malvern as their promising start to the season continues to fade.

The two side's will now clash at York Road this Saturday (3pm kick-off).

Dudley Town boss Dean Whitehead hopes his players can show some consistency on derby day.

He said: "It was a great point for us and it shows exactly what we are capable of.

"The biggest issue is that I don't know which Dudley Town side is going to turn up. The last two games have summed us up this season. We lost heavily to Malvern the game before but then did that against the leaders.

"All of the kids are great and have the right attitude but it's just about experience.

"It's going to be a tough game because Sports have a really good manager in Tony. People don't realise the work that goes into it, especially without a budget, and he's been doing it for years.

"They've got a bit more experience than us but we've maybe got that extra bit of jest with our young players, so it's hard to call.

"From our point of view it's about turning up and making sure we want it on the day."

Meanwhile, Sports manager Tony Gore has demanded a big reaction from his players ahead of the derby battle

He said: "In the last three games, which have all been really tough, we have been at 0-0 by the 44th minute but 3-0 down by the 50th.

"It's about concentration and game management and we have struggled when we have conceded.

"Some of the mistakes have been unforgivable. Until we cut those out we're not going to be winning games.

"The derby is a massive game but is also going to be difficult. They have a good young side that have started the season well. The manager has stuck with the young players and added some experience.

"They are red hot favourites to win it and we are going to have to be at our best. For that to happen we need a big reaction now.

"We have some fantastic players but you can't put the fire in their belly for them. They have to find that themselves.

"We need to realise it's a big game and there is no better game to show a reaction."