Cinderford Town : 1. Scott James, 2. Christian Whitcombe, 3. Greg Lewis, 4. Neil Griffiths, 5. Marvin Thompson, 6. Ryan Parker, 7. Dave Wilkinson, 8. Craig Tait, 9. Luke Hooper, 10. Steve Cowe, 11. Ben Gascoyne. Subs: 12. Darryl Addis, 14. Tim Haddock (for Griffiths 78 mins), 15. Sean McKeon (for Cowe 65 mins), 16. Olly Holder (for Lewis 63 mins), 17. Nick Church.

Goal: Haddock (90+1)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. David Haywood, 4. Richard Brown ©, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Ian Cooper, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Junior Brown, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs (not used): 12. Chris Brindley, 13. Mark Gayle, 14. Grant Beckett, 15. Danny Mason, 16. Karl Johnson.

Once again the dreaded striker problem, that has continued since November last year, seemed no sign of getting better for the Pics. The news at the eleventh hour that front runner Damien Charie would be out for the rest of the season meant that manager Paul Holleran had to included an only half fit Junior Brown in his starting line-up at Cinderford Town.

Once again the lack of a striking option cost the Pics dearly in a smash and grab raid by their lowly opponents who were the first to show when on 15 minutes Luke Hooper's shot skimmed Rushall`s bar.

The first period was indeed a very scrappy affair, mainly due too to many stoppages from referee Mr. Law, however Rushall were the dominant side but failed to create many chances from open play.

Rushall's wing back Lee Gough was troubling Cinderford with his pace and midway through the first period he was hacked down outside the box, but as Richard Beale tried his luck from the free kick the ball just ended up in 'keeper Scott James's arms.

Gough was again hastily kicked to the ground, in an attempt to take the danger man out the game, and referee Law stepped into the rook that followed to which Ryan Parker surprisingly only got a yellow card, while Pics captain Richard Brown also got a yellow for protesting on 42 minutes.

The second period saw Rushall lay siege on the Cinderford goal, winning two corners in the first minute. Ian Cooper and Neil Barnfield started to control the midfield, with Junior Brown and Paul McMahon missing far too many chances in front of goal that began to cause some anxiety withing the Rushall following who made the long trip to Gloucestershire on a bitterly cold evening.

On 55 minutes Gough's run and cross saw Junior Brown head over from ten yards, while two minutes later his flick on was met by McMahon who smashed the ball wide of target from 15 yards.

The hour mark saw a 40-yard run from Gough, but the wing back drove straight at the 'keeper from barely 10 yards out and with chance after chance passing them by, Rushall could not convert.

Richard Beale and David Haywood both had opportunities, but again no one could hit the target and then it was Lee Barrow's turn from a 30yard free kick, which was only inches wide.

Eventually it became an embarrassment of riches as Rushall enjoyed so many chances, while oppponents Cinderford struggled to get out their own half. Meanwhile, Pics 'keeper Tony Breeden, who did not have a dive to make all night - let alone a save, was beaten in the last minute of the game. Cinderford won a rare corner, and as the resulting kick was crossed in to the six-yard box Breeden, under no pressure, fumbled his catch and the ball fell to the unmarked Tim Haddock to tap in from just 3 yards out.

Rushall had a chance to level in injury time when a scramble in the Cinderford box fell to Lee Gough, but as the wide player pulled back the hammer from ten yards, a great save by Cinderford 'keeper James intervened.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Ian Cooper, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Damien Charie, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Grant Beckett (for Gough 60 mins), 14. Karl Johnson, 15. Phil Rowe (for Barnfield 74 mins), 16. Rob Holdcroft (for Haywood 51 mins), 17. Junior Brown.

Goals: Barnfield (37), Beale (43-pen), McMahon (46)

Rothwell Town : 1. Tom Smith, 2. Adam Bridgeford, 3. Steve Purton, 4. Paul Rice, 5. Ben Greasley, 6. Martin Flannigan ©, 7. Michael Boyle-Chong, 8. Scott Goodwin, 9. Jon Stead, 10. Liam Bouth, 11. Mike Tolton. Subs: 12. Robert Ritchie-Smith (Tolton 71 mins), 14. Liam McInally (Boyle-Chong 55 mins), 15. Iain Blakie (Bouth 60 mins).

Rushall Olympic eased home to a comfortable 3-0 success against lowly Rothwell Town at Dales Lane thanks to three goals in the space of just nine minutes either side of the half-time interval. Although the magnitude of the victory should certainly have been greater, the Pics third consecutive victory has now seen them concede only one goal in their last seven league games, meaning that a top-ten position is now well within their grasp, especially enjoying at least five games in hands on the majority of their rivals.

Rushall commenced the game by pinning the visitors firmly into their own half for the first five minutes, but they had to wait until the eighth minute for their first goal attempt when a clearance from the hands of Tony Breeden sent strike partners Damien Charie and Paul McMahon racing clear. However, it was Lee Gough who surged forward to take up possession and forged his way into the right side of the box, but could only fire over from an acute angle under a defensive challenge.

As the home side continued to dominate Richard Beale grubbed a 30 yard effort marginally wide of the right post, while seven minutes later a big shout for penalty went up within the confines of the Rothwell box as Niki Preston drove goal wards after latching on to a fine centre from skipper Lee Barrow. Within a minute defender Preston went close again as he side footed just shy of the left upright from relatively close range after the central defender was perhaps somewhat surprised to find himself in such a remarkably good position.

It was only a matter of time before the home side finally turned their possession into goals and the 37th minute heralded the onset of a nine minute three-goal rush for the Pics. As Gough made another trademark surge down the right channel to the by-line and centred low into McMahon, the front runner intelligently pulled the ball back into the path of midfielder Neil Barnfield who unleashed a venomous 15-yard drive past the exposed Rothwell custodian.

Within two minutes Beale and Charie combined well to set up McMahon, whose pacy drive from just outside the Bones box was mishandled by 'keeper Tom Smith, who breathed a sigh of relief as the loose ball crept through just wide of the left post.

As the Pics continued to pile pressure on the visitors rearguard, with the interval just two minutes from coming into sight, the hard working Charie took up possession within the right side of the box and found himself unceremoniously barged over from behind by defender Paul Rice and referee Mr. Amphlett immediately pointed to the penalty spot, in addition to cautioning the perpetrator for his troubles. After Rothwell's Scott Goodwin also found himself in the officials notebook for questioning the merits of the penalty award, from the resulting conversion attempt Beale confidently placed the ball on the 12-yard mark and powered home Olympic's second goal through the grasp of the visitor's custodian.

Within a minute of the restart of the second period Rushall found themselves cruising along with a dominant three-goal cushion when Charie worked his way to the left by-line, barely three yards from the near post. As the front runner attempted to stab the ball across the face of goal, 'keeper Smith made a real of hash of making what should have been a simple block and the ball went straight through the custodian to the unmarked McMahon who tapped home into an empty net from close range.

Following the third goal Olympic's appetite for attack appeared to become increasingly subdued and the likelihood of the Pics emulating or even bettering the resounding 6-0 success at the visitors home ground only 18 days previous looked increasingly remote.

Although Rothwell were enjoying far more possession with the Dales Lane slope now in their favour, the Bones potency in their opponents half of the pitch was certainly lacking and Rushall 'keeper Tony Breeden continued to enjoy a relatively relaxed afternoon. Indeed, the closest Town came to opening their account was a centre from the left that whistled across the face of goal untouched and with 15 minutes remaining substitute Robert Ritchie-Smith's pile driver from the right channel was safely gathered in the home stoppers midriff.

Although Rushall's substitutions appeared to have a negative effect on their overall fluency during the second period, the home side occasionally showed brief glimpses of an attacking threat and on one such occasion on 63 minutes Beale curled a 30-yarder from the left corner of the penalty area narrowly over the top right corner.

With seven minutes remaining Charie weaved his way to the right by-line and pulled the ball back for McMahon who sliced an effort well wide of the far post that was picked up by substitute Grant Beckett who clipped the outside of the upright with a first time strike from an acute angle.

In the first minute of stoppage time Rushall's McMahon should really have done a lot better when he was set up by substitute Rob Holdcroft's storming run through the centre, but the front runner twice failed to get the better of 'keeper Smith when well placed.

Burton Albion : 1. Saul Deeney, 2. Dave Farrell, 3. John McGrath, 4. Nigel Clough, 5. Ryan Austin, 6. Aaron Webster, 7. Keith Gilroy, 8. Danny Holmes, 9. Marc Goodfellow, 10. Daryl Clare, 11. Tom Liversage. Subs: 12. Darren Stride (for Goodfellow 78), 14. Shaun Harrad, 15. Josh Butler (for McGrath 46), Gk. Martin Taylor.

Goals: Austin (19), Webster (31), Gilroy (45), Goodfellow (45+1), 69), Stride (79)

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Richard Beale, 8. Ian Cooper, 9. Damien Charie, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Karl Johnson (for Gough 46), 14. Rob Holdcroft (for Brown 46), 15. Phil Rowe (for Cooper 61), 16. Grant Beckett, 17. Elliott Durell.

Goals: Barnfield (71), Barrow (90+2)

Rushall Olympic bowed out of the Birmingham Senior Cup at the Semi-Final stage - but should have entered the Brewers Pirelli Stadium full of confidence, having 6 days previously beaten a Walsall team brimming with Professionals. Unfortunately, the Pics produced an appeased performance and a second heavy defeat to a Blue Square Premier team this season, but clearly from this display manager Paul Holleran needs to add new personnel to his very thin forward line.

On 5 minutes Rushall could have gone into the lead when Ian Cooper supplied a superb pass for Damien Charie to hit from the edge of the box, to which Brewers 'keeper Deeney palmed out for a corner. Richard Beale took the resulting flag kick and found Cooper, who sent his powerful header from ten yards over the bar.

Burton, who had an almost full strength side, had a 42 year old lead author in their midfield. Nigel Clough who was making a milestone 300th appearance for the club, also became the main architect in Rushall`s downfall.

Charie and Paul McMahon had chances, but lacked any real threat, until 15 minutes when the latter hit an upright from the edge of the box, having been supplied by Barnfield who weaved his way through the Burton rear-guard.

A minute later Rushall gave away a corner kick, and from 12 yards out the unmarked Austin smashed his header firmly in the back of Rushall`s net.

On 22 minutes Richard Beale supplied a 60 yard pass for Charie at the edge of the box, but again shot disappointingly wide of target, which more or less summed up Rushall`s night.

A bad refereeing decision cost Rushall`s second goal against, when a foul on Richard Brown was given to the Brewers some 35 yards out, where the free kick was met by Webster to head home from close range on 36 minutes.

Burton added two more before the break, when on 45 minutes, Gilroy scored from close range and a minute later, Goodfellow made it 4-0, when he hit a powerful shot from the edge of the box with Pics 'keeper Breeden well beaten.

For the start of the second half Rushall made a double change, bringing Karl Johnson on to replace Lee Gough and Rob Holdcroft for Richard Brown, and on 58 minutes Phil Rowe replaced Cooper, but Rushall had 'keeper Breeden to thank for a string of fine and superb saves early in the second half.

The Brewers hit number five on 69 minutes, when again Pics custodian Breeden made a excellent save from Gilroy just inside the box, only for Goodfellow to get his second after following up the rebound from 15 yards out.

On 71 minutes Neil Barnfield, who picked up ball and rounded 'keeper Deeney, for a Rushall consolation goal, finished off a run by Rob Holdcroft into Burton's box.

On 79 minutes another milestone for Burton came when substitute Stride, making his 600th appearance, was rewarded with a goal as the Brewers went 6-1 up, when his powerful shot from the edge of the box beat the efforts of Pics 'keeper Breeden who had a busy night.

On 90 minutes Lee Barrow scored from a free kick on the edge of the box to reduced the arrears for Rushall, on a night to forget from a Pics side who need to get some fire power into the squad quickly if they are to stand any outside chance of league honours via a play-off spot.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. David Haywood, 4. Richard Brown, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Ian Cooper, 8. Rob Holdcroft, 9. Paul McMahon, 10. Damien Charie, 11. Phil Rowe. Subs: 12. Neil Barnfield (for Rowe 73 mins), 14. Karl Johnson, 15. Paul Szewczyk (for McMahon 82 mins), 16. Grant Beckett (for Cooper 76 mins), 17. Chris Brindley.

Goals: Preston (4)

Walsall : 1. Joel Skeldon, 2. Charlton Davies, 3. Netan Sansara, 4. Paul Boertien, 5. Mannie Smith, 6. Ian Roper, 7. Martin Brittain, 8. Michael Dobson, 9. Chris Hanna, 10. David McDermott ©, 11. Dexter Ravenhill. Subs: 12. Jamie Silver, 14. Cameron Jones (for Ravenhill 67 mins), 15. Hassan Bacchus, 16. Richard Davies (for Brittain 76 mins), 17. Tom Cox.

Defiant Rushall Olympic won against the odds to progress into the Semi-Final of the Birmingham Senior Cup at the expense of a Walsall team full of professionals.

Rushall had a scare before the kick-off when striker Junior Brown was injured in the warm up, which forced Manager Paul Holleran to make a late re-shuffle to his side. However, for the second game running, Rushall scored after less then 1 minute when straight from the kick off they won possession and Lee Gough was fouled attacking down the right. He duly took the 40 yard free kick deep into the Walsall box for Ian Roper to head clear, but it rebounded back into the box where a mix up between Roper and 'keeper Joel Skelton allowed Niki Preston to coolly side foot into the Walsall net from 12 yards.

Rushall kept the momentum going and on 11 minutes Paul McMahon gave another warning as the striker broke clear into the box and rounded the stranded Joel Skelton, only to see a last gasp clearance from Ian Roper concede a corner in the Pics favour.

Walsall were looking very lively on 15 minutes and Newcastle United trialist Martin Brittain was keen to impress his prospective employers, that saw Manager Richard Money and Football Consultant Paul Taylor watching from the sidelines. The Saddlers also included, Michael Dobson, Paul Boertien, Ian Roper, David McDermott and Mannie Smith, all with First Team experience and were being matched by a Rushall side that had already done a days work.

Livewire Brittain thought he had scored on the half hour, when he hit a screamer from 25 yards, only to be matched by an excellent flying save from Pics 'keeper Tony Breeden in outstanding form.

On 33 minutes Rushall should have had a penalty when Phil Rowe shot from outside the box, only for the referee to wave play on, when Mannie Smith appeared to block the drive with his left arm, causing plenty of protests from the Pics players and the home support.

The start of the second period saw the Walsall team up the tempo and begin to penetrate Rushall's defensive trio of Lee Barrow, Niki Preston and Richard Brown, playing his first full game after being out injured since early November.

On 58 minutes the move of the game, which saw Rob Holdcroft, Dave Haywood, and Paul McMahon combine down the left flank and the impressive Damien Charie set up Phil Rowe who hit a well placed drive from the edge of the box that smashed against the Walsall post.

In the 60th minute the game turned ugly when Walsall's Chris Hanna made a two footed bone crunching challenge on Ian Cooper and referee Mr. Keane immediately brandished the red card. Unfortunately, the Rushall midfielder was later to leave the field still suffering from the injury sustained from the foul challenge.

The ten men of Walsall then started to play and pass the ball with some quality and force Rushall to defend deep in their own half.

The Saddlers replaced Dexter Ravenhill with Cameron Jones on 67 minutes, which added further pressure on Rushall, who themselves had to replace the tiring Phil Rowe who had burnt himself out by running none stop all night. Indeed, his final action was to set up Damien Charie, who just shot wide of target from 15 yards.

Midway through the second period Rushall midfielders Neil Barnfield and Grant Beckett were drafted in to shore up their very tired and hardworking midfield, to cope with the high tempo threat of full-time Walsall. However, on 77 minutes Rushall should have increased their lead when Barnfield supplied a superb pass, splitting the Walsall rearguard wide open and allowing Damien Charie to run clean through, only to be denied by an excellent save from Joel Skeldon 12 yards out, palming it round the post for a corner.

Walsall were still not finished and the visitors thought they had restored parity when Dexter Ravenhill`s shot from just inside the box crept inches wide, quickly relieving the Pics players and supporter's anxieties.

Late in the game Walsall put the Pics under increased pressure but the home defence once again stood staunch and steadfast and Rushall certainly looked more like their old selves from earlier in the season that were responsible for the Pics FA Cup exploits. However, a trip to Blue Square Premier high-flyers Burton Albion in the Semi- Final of the competition was the well earned and fully deserved reward for Paul Holleran`s men.

Rothwell Town : 1. Tom Smith, 2. Adam Bridgeford, 3. Steve Purton, 4. Ben Greasley, 5. Andreas Kattus, 6. Martin Flannigan, 7. John Stead, 8. Mike Boyce-Chong, 9. Jason Turner, 10. Lim McInally, 11. Fazel Koriya. Subs: 12. Danny Keddy, 14. Iain Blakie, 15. Scott Cross, 16. Robert Ritchie-Smith, 17. Dan Batchelor.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. David Haywood, 4. Ian Cooper, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Karl Johnson, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Junior Brown, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Robert Holdcroft (Barnfield 73 mins), 14. Phil Rowe (Cooper 75 mins), 15. Grant Beckett, 16. Chris Brindley (McMahon 83 mins), 17. Mark Gayle.

Goals: Beale (1, 35, 71-pen, 80); Cooper (43); J.Brown (89)

Rushall Olympic produced their highest score of the campaign with a solid 6-0 victory, but they had to work hard to overcome gale force winds and a team forced to defend with ten men from early on.

Rushall were in front surprisingly with only 36 seconds on the clock. Pics skipper Lee Barrow launched a solid header from the half way line that fell in the path of Richard Beale, who skipped round a defender and produced a cool finish from 15 yards, giving the Rothwell 'keeper no chance.

Both teams found the strong winds to be a problem, but yet again Rushall adapted well and won a penalty on 9 minutes as Niki Preston won the ball in his own half and sent Junior Brown on a run. However as the striker, making his full debut after recently signing from Halesowen Town, was about to unleash a shot in the box, Rothwell`s Andreas Kattus chopped him down and received his marching orders. Unfortunately, the resulting spot kick was disappointingly hit straight into the hands of 'keeper Tom Smith by Rushall`s Paul McMahon.

Rushall`s skipper Lee Barrow was in rampant form, spurring his men on to winning a series of corners, until on 35 minutes Richard Beale scored his second goal straight from a corner kick, using the wind to full advantage by his left foot in swinger from the right side.

Rothwell had to wait until 41 minutes before they had a real chance, when Martin Flannigan disappointingly smashed his effort well over the bar from just inside the box.

Two minutes later and from a goal mouth scramble in the Rothwell box, after yet another Rushall corner, Lee Barrow's header was cleared off the line, which fell to Niki Preston who spotted Ian Cooper lurking outside the box. From fully 35 yards out the midfielder smashed an unstoppable effort into the top corner of the net, giving Rushall a 3-0 lead to go into the interval.

The second half, kicking up the slope and into the strong wind, Rushall became prudent by expecting an on slaught from Rothwell, only for right wingback Lee Gough to be a key man for Rushall. Phil Rowe replaced the industrious Ian Cooper in the Pics engine room. Soon after and from yet another of his telling runs, Lee Gough was fouled in the box on 71 minutes this time from the spot kick Richard Beale made no mistake by smashing it high into the net - making it three for Beale and four for Rushall.

On a night that produced freezing and uncontrollable winds, Rushall were still on the attack and goal number five was yet another superb and spectacular finish, when on 80 minutes a surging run by Phil Rowe through the right side of midfield ended in an inviting pass to Richard Beale who dispatched it from 30 yards. The rocket shot was the goal of the game and Beale`s fourth from his trusty left foot.

Junior Brown capped an impressive full debut on 89 minutes when yet again another foul on Gough, just outside the box this time, saw Richard Beale become provider this time and float the free kick into the six yard box for Brown to out jump his markers and place a firm header in the top right hand corner and open his Rushall goal account on his debut.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Ian Cooper, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Elliott Durrell, 8. Richard Beale, 9. Damien Charie, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Rob Holdcroft (for Gough 83 mins), 14. Phil Rowe, 15. Karl Johnson (for Durrell 34 mins), 16. Junior Brown (for McMahon 83 mins), 17. Chris Brindley.

Goals: McMahon (65); Beale (80).

Dunstable Town : 1. Paul Taylor, 2. Mike Moss, 3. Mike O'Neill, 4. Stuart Deaton, 5. Matt Baldry, 6. Steve Pratt ©, 7. Ross Hanley, 8. Dan Picknell, 9. Neil Perrin, 10. Chris Marsh, 11. Aaron Flood. Subs: 12. Nick Nolan, 14. Jonathan Barnett, 15. Dennis Fenemore.

Rushall Olympic found themselves firmly back on the goal trail following two successive blank British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands encounters as the Pics pulled off a fine 2-0 home success over a Dunstable Town outfit on the periphery of the promotion play-off zone.

Manager Paul Holleran made a couple of changes to his side that drew a New Years Day blank at Willenhall Town with on loan AFC Telford United teenager Elliott Durrell coming in to make his full debut, while midfielder Richard Beale made a welcome return to the staring line up.

The Bedfordshire visitors arrived at Dales Lane on the back of three consecutive league victories on their travels and were undoubtedly buoyed by an impressive 3-1 New Year success at home to high-flying Aylesbury United. Indeed, during the opening period a Rushall side that appeared to be lacking in some self belief, were largely forced to play second fiddle to their guests in an initially dour contest.

Town were first to show after only seven minutes when a flowing move that began in midfield and ended up within the confines of Olympic's box saw Aaron Flood waltz his way all too easily through the home rearguard but profligately scooped the ball over the bar from 10 yards.

As the game progressed it was largely confined to midfield toil as the opponents jostled for territorial advantage, but little was seen of the home sides attacking prowess until livewire newcomer Elliott Durrell fired off an ambitious 30 yards effort that looped marginally over the bar. Unfortunately, that was to be the teenagers last input into the game after being subjected to a crude challenge in front of the dug outs that left the wide player requiring lengthy treatment on the sidelines - before finally being replaced by defender Karl Johnson on 34 minutes as Olympic reverted to a wing back system.

Although Blues continued to marginally shade the possession stakes, right on the stroke of half time the home side enjoyed their first strike on target when Paul McMahon was picked out on the left corner of the 18 yard box and sent in a pacey low drive that 'keeper Paul Taylor did well to hold at full stretch to his right.

The second period began with Dunstable back on the offensive and on 56 minutes a powerful long range strike from Matt Baldry had to be smartly blocked out by 'keeper Tony Bredden to his right, although play had already been halted for an off-side decision.

Suddenly, Rushall began to find confidence from somewhere within themselves and in the 65th minute they took a decisive lead that more crucially stunned the visitors. As Ian Cooper picked up possession in midfield, an intelligent ball pushed forward to the edge of the box was rapidly flicked into the feet of Paul McMahon some eight yards out on the right side of goal who took a touch and drove clinically home from an acute angle into the bottom corner.

The opening goal was the signal for the Pics to venture further forward and six minutes later man of the match contender Damien Charie rippled the side netting after the hard working front runner's mazy run into the right side of the area end with a sharp low drive.

With just ten minutes remaining Olympic virtually sealed all three points when they claimed the vital second goal that effectively put the match beyond the reach of Dunstable. Neil Barnfield was the architect, whose tremendous run saw the midfielder ride several challenges before play was pulled up some 22 yards out with the award of a free-kick. As skipper Lee Barrow and Richard Beale both shaped up to take the award a surprise was sprang as the latter took three steps back and curled the ball brilliantly over the defensive wall into the bottom left corner past the flat footed visiting custodian.

Three minutes later a double substitution followed as Lee Gough and Paul McMahon made way for Rob Holdcroft and newcomer Junior Brown, but it was the latter who almost capped a memorable debut for his new club when within a minute of his arrival the forward showed some nice touches and side footed marginally wide of the near post from the left edge of the area to almost finish off a fine flowing move.

Willenhall Town : 1. Danny Woodhall, 2. Gerard Baptiste, 3. Scott Stamps, 4. Decio Gomes, 5. Lucan Spittle, 6. Danny Harvey ©, 7. Mark Briggs, 8. Marlon Walters, 9. Craig Gregg, 10. Justin Nisbett, 11. Nathan Jackson. Subs: 12. Craig Milligan (for Stamps 68 mins), 14. Scott Stevenson, 15. Danny Dubidat (for Jackson 79 mins), 16. Tyrone Barnett.

Rushall Olympic: 1. Tony Breeden, 2. Lee Gough, 3. Dave Haywood, 4. Karl Johnson, 5. Lee Barrow ©, 6. Niki Preston, 7. Grant Beckett, 8. Ian Cooper, 9. Damien Charie, 10. Paul McMahon, 11. Neil Barnfield. Subs: 12. Elliott Durrell (for McMahon 76 mins), 14. Phil Rowe (for Beckett 49 mins), 15. Richard Beale, 16. Rob Holdcroft, 17. Chris Brindley (for Gough 86 mins).

Rushall Olympic rounded off their festive programme with a second successive blank in front of goal that yielded a meagre single point against local rivals Willenhall Town, but fortunately their hosts were as equally inadequate in front of goal in an encounter where scoring opportunities came very much at a premium.

In truth this was a dreadfully uninspiring contest between two teams purportedly with promotion play-off ambitions in the British Gas Business Football League Division One Midlands; although the Pics would be more satisfied with the current standings, where they remained a single point behind their neighbours, but with a healthy nine games in hand.

Despite the final score line, Willenhall were first to show in the fourth minute when Craig Gregg blazed wastefully over the bar from 15 yards after picking up possession in the wake of the visitor's failing to clear their lines as the ball was played in from the left.

There was little to shout home about from Rushall until the 21st minute when Dave Haywood's initial corner from the right was repelled straight back to the wing back, whose centre to the far post caused panic within Town's defensive ranks and in the ensuing goal mouth scramble Neil Barnfield's goal bound stab was eventually scrambled off the line via the post.

Six minutes later and Olympic defender Niki Preston almost handed the Reds the lead on a silver platter when a wholly ill advised back pass to his 'keeper Tony Breeden lacked sufficient weight, but as Justin Nisbett ominously nipped in to take up possession his effort was ultimately blocked out and the danger was averted.

The second period was hardly an improvement on the first, but within three minutes of the restart the home side were quickly on the offensive when Marlon Walters set Gregg free into a central area, but the front runner could only lift the ball profligately over the woodwork from the edge of the box when well placed.

Two minutes later and it was Rushall's turn to squander a good opportunity when a telling centre from Paul McMahon on the left side of the Willenhall box was looped in to the far post, but the in rushing Lee Gough somehow contrived to miss the target from close range.

Although the introduction of AFC Telford United loanee Elliott Durrell for the visitors with a quarter of an hour remaining brightened things up considerably, there was only ever going to be one inevitable conclusion to this turgid contest as the game petered out to a drab goalless draw.