Midland League weekend preview

FC STRATFORD go head-to-head with local rivals Alcester Town at Stratford Road this weekend.

Both teams have seen their Midland League Division Three promotion hopes fade in recent weeks, with leaders Leamington Hibernian now seven points clear at the summit.

Alcester edged the previous contest between the sides in January 1-0, but FC Stratford striker Will Matthews is confident his team an inflict some revenge on Saturday.

“Alcester always seem to scrape a result against us," he said

“But it’s always fun playing them. Everyone knows each other and no doubt there will be some big challenges going in.

“They beat us with a dodgy penalty in the last game and that was the start of our bad run. I fancy us to win on Saturday, though.”

Shipston Excelsior have won five games on the spin and will hope to make it a record sixth when they visit Burntwood Town, while Badsey Rangers face a tough game at Barton United.

The big game in Midland League Division One sees the bottom two go head-to-head at St Johns Park. If Southam United are to pull away from the foot of the table, then a win at Heather St Johns is a must.

Racing Club Warwick are in tremendous goal scoring form and they welcome Studley to Townsend Meadow, while Littleton take on Leicester Road at Five Acres.

Earlswood Town, who lost 4-0 at Alvis Sporting Club on Thursday night, return to action with a home game against seventh-placed Coton Green.