The FA Vase takes precendence over the Midland Premier League for some clubs this weekend. Here's Gary Hazelhurst's preview.
FA Vase:
At Edgar Street, two sides at the top of their respective divisions and both with similar records, go head to head. Hereford have home advantage but they could not have asked for a trickier tie as Leicester Nirvana are flying high in the United Counties League. Nirvana knocked Premier Division Heanor Town out of the competition so cannot be underestimated. Home advantage backed by their massive support should give Hereford the edge.
Alvechurch travel to Grimsby to face Northern Counties East Cleethorpes Town who sit in 4th place in their division. The Owls have already beaten both Westfield and Racing Club Warwick in the competition and the Church will be fully determined not to make it a hat-trick of MFL scalps. Ian Long’s side are in tremendous form winning their last 7 games and not conceding in the last 4. This is a difficult one to call, and whoever gets through certainly has a chance to win the competition.
In an all MFL tie, AFC Wulfrunians welcome Division 1 Nuneaton Griff to Castlecroft. Griff have slipped down the table in recent weeks but are still in a strong promotion position. Wulfs are having an excellent season comfortably in the top 6 and pushing leaders Hereford all the way last week. Griff have plenty of goals in them, and if they can play on the front foot, they could spring a surprise. Form favours Wulfs but either way, the MFL are guaranteed a side in Round 5.
Midland Premier League:
With the top two otherwise engaged, Sporting Khalsa play one of their 6 games in hand when they welcome Westfields to the Aspray Arena. Westfields are struggling near the bottom of the pack and both sides are desperate for a point. 3rd placed Heanor Town entertain Stourport Swifts knowing that a win would take them into second place. Shepshed Dynamo are up to 5th and they face a tough game away at Boldmere St Michaels. Highgate United have 8 games in hand on the leaders and 8 wins would make it interesting at the top. They welcome Rocester to the Coppice. Coleshill Town, with prolific striker Shane Benjamin back in the ranks, have an unexpected league date with lowly Dunkirk due to their FA Vase tie being postponed.
Basement side Continental Star travel to Loughborough University to tackle the mid-table students, who would go 9th with a victory. A big game at the bottom of the table where in-form Brocton welcome 20th placed Coventry Sphinx to Silkmore Lane. Sphinx have plenty of games in hand on the sides around them but need to start picking up points. Quorn are one place above Coventry Sphinx and are also in need of points as they welcome Walsall Wood to Farley Way. Bardon Hill had a morale boosting win at Long Eaton United last weekend and the two sides meet again in the reverse fixture.