Non-league previews: Stafford Town target cup final

Town - second in the North West Counties League Division One South table - will have confirmed their play-off place if last weekend's abandoned 2-0 lead against Alsager Town is allowed to stand.

With more than 80 per cent of the game having been played, the result is likely to stand, but the decision must go to a league committee first.

On the play-off spot, boss Adam Wall said: “Buzzing, obviously. It feels a bit of a disappointment, being in the title race and then that's what we’re, sort of, celebrating. 

“But look, you have to take a step back and say, look where the club were two years ago, when I picked them up: what the ambition was for this season – and that was play-offs. 

“I've done it with five or six to play depending on that result standing and stuff. So yeah, absolutely buzzing when you take a step back. It's in a massive achievement and it's something we'll all be proud of, I think.”

Jamie Fox and Patryk Mazurkiewicz had scored to put Stafford ahead, before Alsager’s Adam Hampshire was kicked in the head, ending the match a minute early.

Stafford physio Angel Wareham was quick to Hampshire’s aid as he suffered convulsions after the initial injury. He has since been released from hospital.

Alsager manager Matthew Russell tweeted: “She was absolutely amazing with Adam, whilst we waited for the ambulance to arrive… Some things are more important than football”.

Wall added: “It was one of those moments. It was all a bit surreal, but obviously she looked at me and was like ‘Should I go on?’ and was said ‘’Course you should, yeah'.

“And then to be honest, that highlights how lucky we are to have the medical staff that we've got. Other teams don't always have that level, and it was the lucky she was there on the day because they had got that level of support.”

Should Stafford beat Ashville, they will be through to the Edward Case Cup final, one of the three cup tournaments they’ve reached the latter stages of, where they would face either Holker Old Boys or Atherton LR from Division One North.

Wall reflected: “I took over the club two years. We're in the bottom three. We had been for 10 years barring one season. The club was not in a good place, wasn't set up properly, the chairman was working really hard to try and get it right. 

“And from that, two years, on to being involved in what could ultimately at best could be a treble, but winning any silverware and getting to a final, it’s like the icing on the cake with the season we've had.”

In-form Tividale host fourth-bottom Uttoxeter Town after winning three of their last four games, hoping to climb further away from trouble in the Midland League Premier Division.

Wolverhampton Casuals are rock bottom ahead of their home match against AFC Wulfrunians, while Brocton can close in on securing a play-off spot with victory at sixth-placed Whitchurch Alport.

Stourport Swifts' nightmare fixture run ends at Shifnal Town and Lichfield City are seven points clear at the top ahead of travelling to Studley.

Stone Old Alleynians host Romulus, OJM Black Country are at home against Highgate United and Dudley Town travel to Northwich Victoria.

Cradley Town have a tough task against Heather St John’s, who are second in Division One, while Wednesfield are favourites against relegation rivals Paget Rangers.

Bilston Town host Saffron Dynamo, Gornal Athletic are at home to Ingles and Smethwick Rangers play travelling Nuneaton Griff.

Bewdley Town are at home against Clanfield 85 in Hellenic League Division One.