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This preview is written by Gary Hazelhurst.
FA Vase
We have reached the semi-final stage of the FA Vase and the two favourites, Phoenix clubs Hereford and Salisbury have been drawn together. The first leg will take place in front of a packed house at Edgar Street with all 4,000 home tickets sold a week before the game. Salisbury have won 18 of their last 19 games in all competitions and go into the game top of the Wessex League by 8 points. The Bulls have had a tremendous first season in the Midland League and hold on to top spot by one point. Hereford have scored 90 and conceded 26 in the league while Salisbury have scored 84 and conceded just 15. This promises to be a fantastic occasion for all concerned with a trip to Wembley the carrot for the victors over the two legs. Good luck to Hereford from everyone at the Midland Football League.
Premier Division
With Hereford on FA Vase duty, Alvechurch have the opportunity to take over top spot when they entertain in-form Walsall Wood at Lye Meadow. A win for Alvechurch would see Alvechurch take a two point lead over Hereford with 13 games to play. Sporting Khalsa are 13 points back with three games in hand and they will be hopeful of three points when they travel to relegation threatened Bardon Hill. Shepshed Dynamo slipped up in midweek and will need to get back to winning ways at home to Long Eaton United if they are to remain in the title race. Likewise Heanor Town can’t afford to drop too many more points if they hope to break into the top two and they have a tough looking fixture at Lye Town.
At the bottom, Continental Star are 15 points adrift of safety with 13 games remaining so 3 points are a must as they welcome Westfields to Dales Lane. There is a big relegation scrap at Sphinx Drive as two of the bottom three meet with Coventry Sphinx entertaining Dunkirk, a win vital to both teams. Two Staffordshire sides who had good results in midweek meet at Hillsfield with Brocton visiting Rocester. Quorn sit just above the drop zone however they have played more games than the sides below them. They travel to Walshes Meadow to face improving Stourport Swifts in the reverse of the fixture held on Tuesday. Two mid-table sides meet at Packmeadow with Coleshill Town at home to AFC Wulfrunians. Highgate United could jump into the top 6 if they can take all 3 points at Boldmere St Michaels.