FC Stratford add four new players ahead of cup clash

FOOTBALL

FC STRATFORD expect to have four new recruits in their line-up when they bid to create a Birmingham Midweek Floodlit Challenge Cup upset tonight (Tuesday).

Boss Nick Ballinger will shuffle the squad to face West Midlands League Premier Division side Dudley Sports at the Arden Garages Stadium.

But while a growing list of absentees will mean some enforced changes, Ballinger has signed four new recruits.

Midfielder Dean Poulson, a key member in FC Stratford’s promotion-winning side last season, had returned from Midland League Division Two colleagues Earlswood Town while Matty Nutt has switched from Central Ajax.

Ballinger has also drafted in reserves duo Adam Southorn and Ali Ouzzani for their debuts.

But the team will be Alfie Boylin, Caine Elliott, Dan Atkins, Tyrike Richards-Burke plus full-back Michael O’Regan, who scored twice in the weekend defeat at Earlswood Town.

“Playing midweek games is really tough for us because we have so many youngsters playing for Town Youth and they play on a Thursday,” said Ballinger. “But we’ve brought in a few players so we’ve got options.”

Dudley Sports lie fourth from bottom in the West Midlands Premier, having won four of their 17 league games.

But FC Stratford proved they could match West Midlands Premier opposition earlier in the season when they were edged out by Bewdley Town in their FA Vase debut in September.