Barnt Green Spartak 1 Bolehall Swifts 0

WARREN Sewell grabbed the winner as Barnt Green Spartak kept their early season title hopes alive in the Midland Combination Premier Division on Saturday. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT: Spartak goalscorer Warren Sewell is man-handled by a Bolehall player.

Sewell hit the back of the net midway through the first half to make sure third placed Spartak are hot on the heels of leaders Cadbury Athletic.

Victory was a relief for manager GJ Singh, after he his side had experienced two poor results in a row on at the start of October.

He said: "We had a little bit of a blip, but we seemed to have got over that now and we can concentrate on the rest of the season."

Spartak went into the game on the back of a 2-1 midweek win over Southam United, but were up against a Bolehall side which was flying high and after defeating Meir KA 4-0.

But Singh's side, which had Frenchman Moussa Traore making his debut in midfield, show grit and determination to win the match.

Traore started the move that led to the only goal of the game.

He fed Jamie Towers down the right wing and his deep cross was headed in at the far post by Sewell midway through the first half.

Bolehall had several chances to score, but Spartak held on for a vital victory.

Singh said: "Bolehall were a little unlucky, but we've had games of late where the ball hasn't ran for us and we deserved some good fortune.

"It's up to us to make sure that we start playing like we were earlier in the season.

"We're still in a strong position in the league and we can only get better from now on."

Singh has also brought in defender Martin Ruddock from Brackley. Ruddock had spent pre-season with Bromsgrove Rovers, but moved to Brackley. Spartak go to Coventry Copsewood on Saturday (2.45pm kick off).