Dudley Sports are keeping their fingers crossed they will finally be able to play their first game in September on Saturday after having their last five fixtures postponed.

Sports last played on Saturday, August 31 when they defeated Shawbury, but the torrential rain which has hit the area has seen them take an unwelcome break from their West Midlands Premier Division season.

Joint managers Tony Gore and Paul Blakeley have never known anything like it and are now hoping the nightmare is about to end.

Gore said: “It’s been an absolute nightmare.

“We have not played since the end of August.

“I’ve never known the weather hit a fixture list like this at the start of the season before.

“When we do get back out there it will be like starting the season all over again.

“At the minute we are in the hands of the gods.

“It’s been difficult but Paul has been able to put on some fantastic training sessions which have kept the players buzzing.”

The bad new does not end there because the FA Vase clash at home to Rainworth Welfare Miners this Saturday will now see key duo Chris Raybone and Luke Astley suspended.

The pair were set to play in the original fixture last Tuesday, because their bans were not due to start until 21 days after their dismissals against Shawbury Gore did admit their was a slight silver lining to the enforced break with the news that the break from action has allowed influential midfielder Andy Blakeley to recover fully from an ankle injury picked up in the Shawbury game.

Dudley Town climbed up the table thanks to a 3-1 win at Wolverhampton Casuals on Saturday.

They are without a game on Saturday but are at home to Ludlow Town next Wednesday.

Lye Town will travel to Barrow in the FA Vase on Saturday full of confidence following a 3-0 league win away at Ludlow last weekend.