As ever this preview is written by Gary Hazelhurst.
Into the last 16 of the FA Vase and the Midland Football League have two teams standing. Premier Division leaders Hereford travel to Hartley Wintney of the Combined Counties League. The Row sit top of their league with just two defeats all season and should provide a stern challenge to the Bulls who come into the game on the back of the 1-1 draw with second-placed Alvechurch. Backed by 700 away fans, I expect the Bulls to be too strong on the day.
Nuneaton Griff have had a remarkable run in the FA Vase and they welcome Salisbury FC, managed by Steve Claridge, to The Pingles Stadium. Like Hereford, Salisbury are a new club built from the ashes of the past, and they sit top of the Wessex league with two defeats all season. Griff score goals, and on their day, are capable of beating anyone. I just wonder if this could be their day?
Premier Division
With Hereford on FA Vase duty, the spotlight falls on the chasing pack as they look to close the gap at the top. Alvechurch slipped up in midweek and will hope to get to winning ways at home to in-form Brocton. Sporting Khalsa have revenge on their minds when they travel to Castlecroft to take on AFC Wulfrunians. Wulfs beat Khalsa on Boxing Day at the Aspray Arena and a similar result would severely dent Khalsa’s title ambitions. Heanor Town will feel they still have an outside chance of the title and they welcome Lye Town to the Town Ground. 5th placed Shepshed Dynamo travel to Pack Meadow to take on Coleshill Town on the 3G in an intriguing battle. Both sides score plenty of goals so this one could be worth watching. Highgate United have 8 games in hand on Hereford and a winning run would see them just 4 points behind the Bulls. They welcome Long Eaton United to The Coppice and they will be looking at the skies and hoping to get the game on.
At the bottom, Continental Star welcome Rocester to Dales Lane with the Romans coming into the game on the back of two wins in a week. 2nd bottom Dunkirk host 4th bottom Quorn in a massive game at the foot of the table. 7th meets 9th as Loughborough University entertain Walsall Wood with both sides having similar records. Boldmere St Michaels picked up a good away point in midweek and they welcome Bardon Hill to Church Lane. It’s another Herefordshire versus Worcestershire derby in Hereford this weekend as Westfields welcome Stourport Swifts to Allpay Park. A win for Westfields would take them above their visitors who will be playing their 7th consecutive away league game due to postponements at Walshes Meadow.