Non-league previews: Tough run for in-form Swifts
Stourport Swifts should be ‘challenging in the play-offs’ says manager Ben Jevons ahead of a nightmare fixture run, featuring all five top teams and starting with 1874 Northwich on Saturday (3pm), writes Dan Hickey.
After losing only three games since his arrival at Stourport Swifts, manager Ben Jevons says this is the ‘acid test’ for his side, with a six-game run which includes two Midland League Premier Division games back-to-back against second-placed Brocton.
Their last match was a 2-2 draw, at home to Stone Old Alleynians. Dale Edwards opened the scoring early for Swifts, before the away side took the lead and Kai Adams netted on 90 minutes to equalise.
Jevons said: “This will be the true test of where we think we are as a team.
“I think we should be challenging in the playoffs with the team we've put together, so, this will be the acid test, so to speak, and we'll find out if we can do that or not.”
Jevons arrived at the club in early September following the departure, after six years at Swifts, of former manager Quentin Townsend.
“It was a bit of shock having to bring in and trying to integrate a lot of new people in," said Jevons. “But we've only lost three since we've been in charge in 15 games in the league, so that's been a good thing.
“And yeah, just trying to stay on the outskirts of the play-offs with the chance of nipping in there at the end hopefully.”
Elsewhere, Brocton hope to close the gap on leaders Lichfield City, as they host relegation-threatened Tividale.
Lichfield are top before travelling to sixth-placed Dudley Town, while AFC Wulfrunians travel to third-placed Shifnal Town.
Stone Old Alleynians host Whitchurch Alport and OJM Black Country are at Romulus.
Cradley Town have a chance to break into the Division One play-off places as they travel to Lutterworth Athletic.
Bilston Town host fourth-placed Leicester St Andrews, while mid-table Gornal Athletic are home against Coventry Copsewood.
Wednesfield are still hoping to escape the drop zone as they travel to Birstall United.
In North West Counties League Division One South, second-placed Stafford Town are favourites as they travel to bottom side Shawbury United.
Wolves Sporting will hope for a big upset as a win against leaders Winsford United could see them escape the relegation zone.
Bewdley Town are 13th in Hellenic League Division One ahead of hosting second-bottom Newent Town.
