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Despite a result that seriously damaged their challenge for honours, Northwood said afterwards: “ We can still win the West Midlands League title.”

The Gresley boss, who has been at the centre of much controversy in recent weeks, based his optimism on what he considered to be a return to the classy form that made Rovers such a force in the opening weeks of the season.

He said: “No way should we have lost that game. We played some of our best football of the season and if we had made the most of our chances, then we would have taken the points. The lads want to keep playing football and that’s exactly what I want them to do and there was every sign against Rushall that we can regain out form of the early season.

“Obviously I was disappointed we lost, but there were a lot of other things about us that pleased me.”


Northwood believes Gresley can overcome their recent lapses in form to re-emerge as genuine contenders for the title.

He said: “No championship has ever been won or lost with 25 games still to be played and I think we’ll still be in with a chance by the time spring arrives.”

Clearly, he is hoping that Halesowen Town, the obvious title favourites, will suffer the sort of slide in form that has affected their rivals.

Gresley are not the only side to have lost ground recently. Harrison’s who had led the table for most of the season, have also been dropping points at regular intervals, most recently in their midweek trip to bottom of the table Brereton when only a last minute goal earned them a 4 – 4 draw.

Atherstone United and Tamworth, both expected to capitalise on games in hand, to surge into the title race have also fallen from grace.

The suspicion is. Then, that Halesowen will romp to their fourth successive title – but that view is not shared by the optimistic Gresley boss.