Pegasus Juniors 4 Bustleholme 1

MANAGER Chris Hyde says Pegasus Juniors are facing their first 'proper test' in weeks against Cradley at Old School Lane this Saturday.

Pegasus rolled over relegation candidates Bustleholme 4-1 last Saturday to seal a seventh successive West Midlands League Premier Division success.

Cradley were the last side to defeat Pegasus, on October 9.

Since that loss, the Old School Lane outfit have have scored 28, and conceded just four, in an outstanding run.

Last Saturday, Pegasus' goals came early, Kane Kahaki struck with a low drive in just the seventh minute, followed quickly by a short-range effort from Tom Dawson, with Chris Mortlock making it 3-0 before half-time.

“Bustleholme players were high-fiving each other at full-time because they only lost 4-1,” revealed Hyde.

With 11 minutes to go, Keith Jones made it four for Pegasus after a great run by Toby Lowther, and Bustleholme grabbed a late consolation.

“We are getting to the point where teams are coming to us setting up so they don’t get beat 8-0,” said Hyde.

And he insists that the rich run of form Pegasus are on has come directly out of four-game “blip” that saw Hyde’s team pick up just two points, while taking on some of the league’s top sides.

He said: “The players learned a lot during that period.

“And I learned a lot about them – how to manage them individually, what they respond to – and I’d take responsibility for those results.

“Coming through that run has put us where we are.”

Aside from a renewed confidence, the circumstances going into the Cradley rematch differ notably to their first encounter.

Firstly, Old School Lane has been a fortress for Pegasus this year, losing just once in 12 games.

And secondly Pegasus will have its full frontline available for selection; playing at Cradley neither Kane Kahaki nor Cory Hyde, who is leading the league with 27 goals, started the game.

However, ahead of the game the Pegasus boss would rather focus praise on his central defensive partnership.

“Dan Price has been a different class for us this year,” said Hyde.

“He’s been absolutely superb, but if he misses anything he’s got one probably the quickest defender in the league next to him in Paul Allam.”

Both will have to be at their sharpest on Saturday, Cradley’s Scott Devlin has hit 18 in 24 goals this year.

Hyde added: “They are a good side with a lot of pace.”