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Here's this weekend Midland Premier League and FA Vase preview written as ever by Gary Hazelhurst.
It is the 3rd round of the FA Vase and a chance for a number of our clubs to make the national stages of the competition in January. Hereford have been installed as favourites by the bookies for the competition and they will be in confident mood ahead of their home tie with fellow Premier Division side Brocton.
The Badgers have shown improved form in recent weeks including that remarkable 5-5 draw with Heanor Town. This promises to be an exciting game and I think it will be a lot closer than some people think. Another all Premier Division tie takes place at the ML Safety Stadium as Walsall Wood entertain Alvechurch. The Church are in excellent form and closed the gap on Hereford at the top of the league table to 6 points with another win in midweek. The form says an away win but The Wood have a good record in this competition and another tight game is in prospect. AFC Wulfrunians travel to Cheshire to face a struggling Alsager Town. Alsager have recently appointed former Norton United Manager Scott Dundas as their new man in charge and they have reserved their best performances for cup competitions. Saying that Wulfs have to be favourites and I fully expect to see them in Monday’s draw.
Uttoxeter Town have surprised many by reaching the 3rd round and Coleshill Town will have to be on their guard when the two sides meet on Saturday. Coleshill have had a good year in cup competitions taking some major scalps in the FA Cup and they have a realistic chance of going a long way in the competition. Providing they don’t underestimate the home side, I would expect to see them in round 4. Nuneaton Griff are the last Division 1 side standing and they travel to Derbyshire to face Central Midlands League Pinxton. Pinxton shocked Long Eaton United in the previous round and, like Griff, are amongst the goals with 15 in their last three games. Griff lost at Leicester Road last time out but will be confident of extending their run in the competition. Don’t be surprised if this one goes to extra time.
Midland Premier League
With the leaders in FA Vase action, Sporting Khalsa can close the gap to 9 points with four games in hand if they can win at Stourport Swifts. Khalsa have won 10 league games on the trot and will expect to return from Walshes Meadow with three points. 5th placed Shepshed Dynamo are right in the mix for promotion and they have a tricky assignment away at Long Eaton United despite the home side’s recent mixed results. A huge game at the bottom of the table as the basement two meet at the Ron Steel Sports Ground. Dunkirk will hope home advantage counts but Continental Star will want to avenge the recent home defeat at the hands of Dunkirk.
Coventry Sphinx, under the new management of Robbie Banks, are desperately in need of points and they welcome mid-table Lye Town to Sphinx Drive. Boldmere St Michaels have rocketed up the league table in recent weeks and will expect more of the same when they entertain lowly Westfields, in need of points themselves. Two mid-table sides meet at Hollywell as Loughborough University welcome Bardon Hill to the University Stadium. The students, on their day, play some of the best football in the league and this could be a good game to watch.