FC Stratford boss having to play waiting game

FOOTBALL

MANAGER Nick Ballinger will need to take a roll-call of his walking wounded before naming the FC Stratford side to face Coton Green in the Presidents Cup quarter-final tomorrow (Saturday).

Having bowed out of the Birmingham Midland Floodlit Cup in midweek, FC Stratford will be determined to avoid a second cup KO in five days when Coton Green visit the Arden Garages Stadium.

But Ballinger admits his options could be depleted against a side who lie fourth in Midland League Division Two.

New signings Nick Cox and Dean Poulson, who both scored in midweek, are both cup-tied after featuring for former club Earlswood Town.

Jimmy Macmillan, Caine Elliot, Dan Atkins, and Alfie Boylin will also face injury tests.

“We’ve brought in a few players to take the squad numbers up to 16-17 but we’ve got four injured and a couple missing so it’s going to be a waiting game to see who we will have available,” said Ballinger.

“It’s not ideal but a few players came into the team in midweek and did well, like Adam Southorn who came in at centre-half. We will just have to shuffle things around.”

FC Stratford have already beaten Coton Green, recording a 3-2 win at the Fazeley side in October, with goals from Boylin, Macmillan and Ashley Wilkes.