Non-league preview: Stafford Town bid to reel in leaders after cup triumph
Stafford Town manager Adam Wall said his side are ‘not resting on their laurels’ as they balance a tight title chase with success in three different cup competitions, writes Dan Hickey.
The North West Counties Division One South title-challengers beat Ramsbottom United, who are challenging for the Premier Division title, with two late goals from Jayden Hunter and Scott Wilding to progress to the Macron Cup semi-final in midweek.
Stafford next play relegation-battling Foley Meir in the league on Saturday (3pm). Wall added: “Foley are no mugs, this league's difficult top to bottom. Every game is a potential slip-up for both us and (title rivals) Winsford.”
If they win their games in hand, Town will be three points behind leaders Winsford United, while also balancing matches in the Staffordshire Senior Cup quarter-finals and the Edward Case Cup semi-finals.
Wall said: “We're not resting on our laurels, looking to win the play-offs. We are looking to win that title and go up.
“It's going to be huge. Look, we’ve got nine league games left, and we've got to win them all to keep pressure on Winsford because if you keep pressure on them, pressure can do strange things to you.
“It gave, a little bit, us a wobble over Christmas. They put pressure on us, and we wobbled. So, we've got to return the favour and put pressure on them when it really matters.”
Wolves Sporting face mid-table Cammell Laird 1907 as they continue their fight out of the Division One South relegation zone.
AFC Wulfrunians will be hoping to turn over league-leaders Lichfield City for the second time this season, having won 4-2 a month ago. Lichfield, however, have marched on and now sit 10 points ahead of second.
Third-placed Brocton will hope to close that gap at home to Stourport Swifts, who they play again in the reverse fixture the following week.
Tividale have a chance to escape the drop zone and climb off the foot of the table as they travel to struggling Highgate United, while relegation rivals Wolverhampton Casuals host Dudley Town.
Stone Old Alleynians play away at fifth-placed Atherstone Town and OJM Black Country travel to Northwich Victoria.
Cradley Town have a chance to cement themselves in the Midland League Division One play-off places as they host third-placed Coton Green.
Chasing down those play-off spots, Bilston Town travel to second-placed Heather St John’s and Smethwick Rangers host second-bottom Wednesfield. Gornal Athletic are 14th ahead of their match against Stapenhill.
Bewdley Town host mid-table rivals Kidlington Reserves in the Hellenic League Division One.
