BOSS Wayne Whitbread insisted Clee Hill United would need a clean sweep from three crunch clashes in February to be considered as serious title contenders.

Whitbread’s men climbed to second in the Mercian Premier courtesy of a 5-0 whitewash of fellow high-fliers Madeley Sports on Saturday, leapfrogging their opponents.

It left Clee Hill two points shy of leaders Church Stretton, albeit from two extra games, while third-placed Oakengates Athletic have four extra matches to close a two-point gap.

United are without a league match until February 11 but return to action with two matches against Oakengates either side of a trip to Church Stretton.

“It is going to be a massive month and if we play like we did on Saturday, we will give anyone a game,” said Whitbread.

“I couldn’t fault the lads at all and that kind of performance against the top teams would give us a great chance of picking up points.

“To stand any chance of winning it, we probably have to win all three and we will be giving it our best, that’s for sure.

“Realistically, we have a lot to do but we still have to play the top sides and have that hope. For now, it is about winning as many games as we can and see where it takes us.”

On Saturday’s heroics, Whitbread added: “It was as near to perfect as we could have expected, especially in the first half.

“We expected a tough, close game but we went about our work really well and hit them hard. We were 3-0 up inside the first 15 minutes and it was game over from there.

“We are a bit disappointed not to be playing now. Just as we have built some momentum, there are two blank weekends.

“Since Christmas, the lads have been really keen. We have been getting good numbers at training and it is telling. We are that bit fitter and that is paying dividends.”

Whitbread is keen to set up a friendly on Saturday, January 28 and encouraged any local sides after a game to get in touch.

Church Stretton were in Premier Division Cup action and fought back from 1-0 and 2-1 down to win 5-2 at Wrockwardine Wood.

Stretton keeper Anthony Prince saved an early penalty before Wood moved in front. The visitors levelled but then conceded another prior to their recovery.

Dean Richards fired a double to turn the tide with Richard Groom repeating the trick to seal the home side’s fate.

In Division One, Craven Arms came out on top 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller at derby rivals Brown Clee.

Kieran Dovey, Luke Hicks and Gareth Horler netted for Clee but Aaron Hodge, Alan Williams (2) and substitute Jason Mynett ensured Town claimed the bragging rights.