Non-league previews: 'Bit of needle' expected in Staffordshire derby
Eccleshall manager Liam Kelly is expecting ‘a bit of needle’ against Staffordshire rivals Foley Meir, as both sides are fighting at opposite ends of the table, writes Dan Hickey.
The Eagles are a point off the North West Counties League Division One South play-off places with five games left to play, competing with Alsager Town and Ashville to nick the last spot from Cheadle Heath Nomads, whom Eccleshall face on the penultimate game of the season.
Foley are two points from the drop zone with the worst form in the league, however Kelly suspects the history between the sides will make for a difficult game.
He said: “It all goes out the window, a bit like when we play Drayton because it’s a local derby.
“Their ex-manager is now my assistant manager, so that, obviously, will add a little bit of needle to it, a couple of players who play for both sides.
“Again, the clubs have just got a bit of previous history with each other, so it'll be everything out the window.
“It will literally be the old, classic, ‘who wants it more on the day’ kind of thing. So, I think, normally, we’d be looking at it, against a side in and around the bottom, saying this is a must-win.
“But we know it's going to be a really difficult one Saturday.”
Elsewhere in the division, Stafford Town travel to relegation-threatened Allscott Heath while Wolverhampton Sporting Community need a result against second-bottom Shawbury United to climb off the foot of the table.
Lichfield City are only four points clear at the top of the Midland League Premier Division ahead of hosting Stone Old Alleynians after second-placed Shifnal Town won their game in hand in midweek, while Brocton will be hoping to hold on to their play-off spot by ending their bad run against OJM Black Country.
Dudley Town need to beat visitors Uttoxeter Town to stay in the play-off conversation, Stourport Swifts finally face a non-top-six side at home against Studley and AFC Wulfrunians host in-form third-placed Atherstone Town.
Wolverhampton Casuals need to win at 1874 Northwich to stave off relegation, while Tividale can stay out of the drop zone by beating Romulus.
Bilston Town will be hoping to close the four-point gap to the Division One play-off places as they travel to fifth-placed Cradley Town.
Gornal Athletic travel to Chelmsley Town, Smethwick Rangers are at Lutterworth Athletic and Wednesfield could be relegated by visitors AFC Bridgnorth.
Bewdley Town travel to play-off hopefuls Abingdon United in Hellenic League Division One.
