SEVERELY depleted Dudley Sports were always on a hiding to nothing when they travelled to face high flying Hereford side Westfields in the FA Vase.

Sports duly suffered an 8-0 hammering and boss Tony Gore admitted: "We just have to take it on the chin!

"The last thing I want to do is criticise the players. They did their best in difficult circumstances and we just have to sit tight and ride the storm.

"We couldn't have picked a harder tie as Westfields have won all nine of their Midlands League Premier Division games this season. Better sides than us will go there this season and get spanked!

Gore was already deprived of long term injury victims Matt Hanson, Matt Holland and Ryan Craig.

He was also missing Sheherd Muchingauta, Luke Williams and Curtis Cocking through work commitments while Danny Hickman and Tom Watkins were unavailable.

To make matters worse, Gore was without Liam Williams after he was involved in a car crash on Friday night which could rule him out for several weeks.

Gore explained: "We had to play three 17 year olds with Alex Smith and Liam Timms coming in for their debuts, while one or two players who played weren't fully fit. Against someone like Westfields, you need to be at your very best."

Beleagured Gore believes he could be without key players Luke Williams and Curtis Cocking until the New Year following a change in their works shift patterns.

However Gore hopes to have Tom Watkins and Danny Hickman back available for the midweek trip to Bilston Town before entertaining Wellington on Saturday.

The only bright note for Sports this week was the fact they moved up to third from bottom in the league table after Cradley Town lost 2-0 at Bridgnorth.